Sollenberger nightcap: Desert Edge vs. Centennial

August 18, 2016 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Desert Edge and Centennial aren't going to surrender their status as defending state champions easily. They won't have to Saturday night, but by season's end at least one will.

For now sit back and have a good time watching these 5A squads battle for early-season bragging rights in the second game of the Sollenberger Classic doubleheader at Coconino High's Cromer Stadium in Flagstaff. Kickoff is at 6 p.m., roughly two hours after Brophy Prep and Pinnacle play the opener. Both teams finished last season with 12-2 records along with their championship hardware.

Desert Edge coach Rich Wellbrock has noted the rarity of defending champions meeting in a season opener. It adds more luster to the contest if any was needed.

Centennial, led by its only head coach in Richard Taylor, is the more storied/decorated school of the two with five state titles and seven title-game appearances. All have taken place since 2005. Oddly enough that's the first year Desert Edge played a full 10-game varsity schedule. Desert Edge has found consistent success since 2010 and nabbed its first title trophy last year. Over the last six years they've averaged 11 wins a season.
 

On paper the advantage seems to rest with Desert Edge. The Scorpions return their top three offensive weapons -- senior quarterback Tehran Thomas,junior running back Rocky Perez, and versatile senior Roshaun Johnson. That's 5,000 yards and change of production. Thomas did not play in either of the teams two losses last year (Paradise Valley and Chaparral).

Three massive offensive linemen are back as well to open holes and protect Thomas -- Max Wilhite, Austin Young and Tyson Jones. Defense returns two-third of its starters with linebacking and secondary pretty much a repeat from last year. Linebackers Vince Delponte and Eric Marsh are the top returning tacklers. Safety Treyvon Williams leads the secondary.

Meanwhile Centennial, which thrives first and foremost via the ground game, has five starters back on offense and three on defense. There has been inexperience before to begin a season, so it's nothing to lose sleep over for Coyotes' fans. The offensive line has one returning starter -- senior guard Andrew Ruelas. The defensive line has a single returnee, but an outstanding one in senior Andrew Nichols (59 tackles and 13 sacks). 

Taylor is most confident in skill positions (both sides of the ball) and linebacking. The rushing attack features primarily Taylor Fiame, Alex Escobar and Zidane Thomas. Fiame and Marcus Wakeham (99 tackles) are experienced linebackers. A quarterback battle between junior Ruben Beltran and senior Nathan Belt finished with Beltran getting the starting nod against Desert Edge.

Both the Brophy-Pinnacle and Desert Edge-Centennial games will be streamed live on Azpreps365.com. Handling play-by-play for the Brophy-Pinnacle game is Dave Juday. Michael Carotenuto takes the handoff for the Desert Edge-Centennial contest. Analyst for both is former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Max Starks. Jose Garcia of Azpreps365.com offers sideline reports.Providing game announcing to both contests is Arizona Cardinals PA voice Jim Barnett, who is also the championship voice of the AIA. 

The links below for each webcast:

http://www.azpreps365.com/videos/2950-sollenberger-classic-brophy-college-preparatory-vs-pinnacle-high-school

http://www.azpreps365.com/videos/2951-sollenberger-classic-centennial-high-school-vs-desert-edge-high-school