Pinnacle takes the the field versus Centennial Friday night. The Pioneers won 21-7. Photo by Bailey Warren/azpreps365.com

After a 1-3 start to the season for Pinnacle, the Pioneers have found a way to turn their season around. 

Winners of their last two games, Pinnacle found its way back to .500, winning over visiting region opponent the Centennial Coyotes Friday night 21-7 to equal its win total from last season when they went 3-4.

“We have just been trying to find an identity on both sides of the ball,” coach Dana Zupke said. “We have guys that are starting for the first time, and we are very young in some spots. We have seen growth and feel that we are getting better every week.” 

Pinnacle’s identity is grounded in the trio of weapons on offense: quarterback Zach Wren, wide receiver Myles Libman and receiver Duce Robinson.

Wren accounted for all three touchdowns Friday, including a 42-yard rocket right in Libman's basket.

The junior was on the receiving end of two of Wren’s touchdown passes. Robinon, a 6-6, 220-pound junior is rated as the No. 1 2023 recruit in Arizona, according to 247sports, hauled in one touchdown pass.

“Last week was our turning point in the season,” said Wren about his team’s victory over Salpointe. “We all knew what we needed to do and that we have to win out in order to take that next step towards the playoffs. We have been playing some great teams to start the season, but the last couple weeks we have stepped up as a team. We aren’t looking at teams by their record any more, we are playing our brand of football.”

As Pinnacle’s offense put points on the board, the defense created opportunities for it. Centennial came into the game averaging over 176 yards rushing per game, and in all three of its wins rushed for 150 yards or more. This was not the story Friday night, as the Pioneers held Centennial’s offense from getting in any rhythm all night.

Outside of a 34-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Austin Glimpse to sophomore wide receiver Ricky Muñoz late in the second quarter, the Coyotes could not find a running game and experienced several dropped balls in the passing game. The Centennial defense gave its offense opportunities, but miscues, including a safety negated by a facemask penalty, hurt it all night.

“I am really proud of the defense tonight,” Zupke said. “They were the key to our team's success tonight. We matched their (Centennial) defensive effort and made some plays on offense. We have to keep believing in each other and stay healthy so we can keep improving because we still have a lot of room to grow.”

Pinnacle will travel to Brophy next week, which is coming off an impressive one-point upset win over Chaparral.