This year's Virginia 6A state title game was two years in the making. In 2011, the Wildcats faced off against the Oscar Smith Tigers in the title game, but could not prevail against their rival. This year, the only way to properly cap an undefeated season for
Centreville (the first time in the school's history) would be to take on Oscar Smith in its final and most important game. And on a wet Saturday in December, Centerville did. The Wildcats decisively beat perennial powerhouse Oscar Smith 35-6 in the championship game.
On Feb. 7, the ninth annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions traveled down to Centreville High School to celebrate its perfect season as well as its No. 23 national ranking by MaxPreps. It was obvious from the moment MaxPreps and the Virginia Army National Guard stepped into the school that everyone — students, faculty, staff and even the community — was proud of the Wildcats' accomplishment. Major Burns, Major Burner, and Staff Sergeant Holmes of the Virginia Army National Guard were all on site to display the Minuteman trophy during lunch. Members of the Centreville football team, who were proudly wearing their state championship shirts, came over to see the prestigious trophy that would now be included in their trophy case.
As students entered into the gymnasium for the pep rally, the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, Nationally Ranked rafter banner and their state title trophy took center stage on the basketball court with the Tour of Champions media backdrop banner flanked behind the display. Centreville Athletic Director Jimmy Sanabria, who was an assistant coach when the Wildcats won their first state title in 2000, welcomed the students, faculty, and special guests — the superintendent and board of supervisors — to the pep rally to celebrate the success of their 2013 Wildcat football team. The players and coaches walked in to "We are the Champions." Before turning the floor over to the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presentation, Sanabria made special notice of the scoreboard, which boasted Centreville's dominant performance in the championship game.
Sanabria then introduced Briana Coyne, who spoke a few words on MaxPreps behalf including the team's impressive No. 23 ranking out of 16,000 football programs, before passing the microphone over to SSG Holmes. SSG Holmes congratulated the team on its accomplishment and the hard work and dedication it showed throughout the season that resulted in victory at the state championship. SSG Holmes then presented head coach Chris Haddock with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. Coach Haddock lifted the trophy high as the whole crowd went wild. The pep rally also included a special certificate presentation by the board of supervisors to coach Haddock, a drum line performance, and for the conclusion, the big reveal of their state championship banner that was hanging on the wall.
After the presentation, everyone took pictures with the Minuteman trophy — the coach with the board of supervisors, players, coaching staff, and family. Coach Haddock and the players could not thank MaxPreps and the Virginia Army National Guard enough for the recognition. Not only were the players and coaches appreciative, but the rest of the students, faculty, and the community were as well.
Sanabria said during his interview that when Centreville won the state title, he saw members of the 2000 Centreville football team in the stands hugging proudly and that the current players were on the field doing the same thing. Sanabria said this year's Centreville football team had now entered into a special fraternity — a championship fraternity. These players would forever be cemented into Centreville football history with their perfect season and now a national ranking; something they will be able to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations Centreville Wildcats! We hope to see you next year on the Tour of Champions!
