Evan Masters is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AZPreps365.com

Centennial has won seven state championships since 2006, including back-to- back titles the past two seasons.

However, Coyote seniors are staying humble in pursuit of a three-peat.

“We just need to stay humble and take one game at a time,” said senior cornerback Eric Haney. “It’s easy to look forward but we just need to stay humble and hope for the best.”

Haney was a major contributor with three interceptions in Centennial’s 60-7 victory over Notre Dame Prep in last year’s championship game.

“It is best feeling you can have in high school,” he said. “That’s what we work for all year and to come out on top feels amazing.”

Coach Richard Taylor has seen the growth of his seniors and how much they have matured since their freshman year. “Not only physically, but emotionally, socially and mentally,” said Taylor.”

The seniors are a guiding force in multiple ways during the games and passing on what they have learned off the field.

“Hard work easily,” said senior fullback and middle linebacker Derek Jodarski. “Hard work and discipline are the most important things for the younger guys here.”

Senior linebacker Brendan James focuses on preparation. “We always try to back track and look what we did last year and how we can do better,” said James.

Quarterback Jonathan Morris said leaving a legacy of being a hard worker for underclassmen is pivotal. “Whenever I see one of the players on the freshman team I always try to say, ‘Good luck this week,’ or, ‘Go ball out,’ because I just want to be that helping hand in trying to work hard.”

Team unity is also preached. “I always try to think of my teammates first no matter what,” said Morris. “We try to think how we can improve as a unit first and ourselves individually last.”

The team focused attitude has grown into a unified major respect for Taylor and the legacy of Centennial Football’s success for the past decade and a half.

That respect is best exemplified by George Roeder IV, a senior offensive lineman and captain for the Coyotes. “Coach Taylor brings a lot out of us, he is the reason why we have this tradition, he’s the reason why we are who we are.”

The Coyotes (2-1) look to continue their winning one game at a time mentality as they take on Ironwood Ridge (1-2) at home this Friday.