In a showdown between nationally-ranked Arizona high school football programs separated by less than 10 miles, star senior quarterback
Navi Bruzon came up big to lead No. 23
Liberty (Peoria) to a 36-17 win over No. 25
Centennial (Peoria).
The victory secures the No. 1 seed for Liberty (9-1) in Arizona's Open Division state playoffs. It also gave the Lions their fourth straight triumph over rival Centennial (9-1) after losing seven of the previous nine.
As he has been throughout his storied career, Bruzon was at the center of it all for Liberty with a pair of massive touchdown passes in the second half.
Senior quarterback Navi Bruzon of Liberty scrambles for yardage in the first half. (Photo: Kevin French)
put Liberty on the board first with a one-yard touchdown run with seven minutes left to go in the opening quarter.
Things looked to be unraveling late in the second quarter for Centennial. After a 40-yard field goal by
Nathan Hawkins of Liberty to make it 10-3,
Keaton Stam took an interception to the house from 35 yards on the ensuing possession to extend the lead to 16-3.
But
Marcus Logan returned the opening kickoff of the second half 96 yards for a touchdown to keep Centennial in the game at 16-10.
Again Centennial bounced back, this time with
Kainan Manna throwing a 15-yard TD to
Noah Carter as the Coyotes cut the lead to 24-17.
Bruzon, who has led Liberty to a 20-2 record since the start of last season, showed why he is so tough to beat by going to Gardner again for a 75-yard touchdown pass. That gave the Lions some breathing room at 30-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
Putting an exclamation mark on things, Bruzon tossed another TD pass to
Ryan Jezioro from 11 yards out with five minutes to go. That made the score 36-17, ensuring the win and favorite status heading into the postseason.
Liberty won its only state title in 2019 in Class 6A. After going unbeaten in the regular season a year ago, the Lions were knocked out of the Open Division playoffs by
Saguaro (Scottsdale) in the semifinals.
Bruzon evades tacklers in Liberty's fourth straight win over rival Centennial. (Photo: Kevin French)
Ryan Jezioro celebrates his touchdown in the fourth quarter, a score that put the game away for Liberty. (Photo: Kevin French)
Keaton Sam (No. 8) and Braylon Gardner (14) both made big plays for Liberty against Centennial, helping the Lions win for the 20th time in their last 22 contests. (Photo: Kevin French)
Centennial running back Owen Reynoso is taken off his feet by a Liberty defender. (Photo: Kevin French)
Jon Wilson of Liberty scored the game's first touchdown to put the Lions up 7-0. (Photo: Kevin French)
