Liberty can cap one of best high school football seasons in Arizona history with win over rival

Liberty can make an argument as being one of Arizona's all-time greatest high school football teams, if not the best, with one more win.

If the top-ranked Lions (11-1) defeats its Peoria rival, Centennial (11-1) on Saturday at 5 p.m., at Mountain America Stadium, the debate can begin as to whether they're the greatest high school football team ever in Arizona, or at least part of the all-time top-10 conversation.

So far, they've basically boat-raced the Arizona competition in a season of anticipated parity.

There were running clocks (which starts in blowouts of 35 or 42 points, depending on when in a game that is reached) against Hamilton, Sandra Day O'Connor, Queen Creek and Sunrise Mountain to open the season. They led California powerhouse Centennial in Corona by two touchdowns, before squandering that in the final quarter and losing in the final seconds 42-35.

The Lions again forced running clocks against Pinnacle, Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic, while holding Saguaro (a 6A finalist) to just a field goal in a 31-3 win.

Then, they made a big defensive play to close the first half and quarterback Navi Bruzon started rolling, hooking up for two touchdowns with Braylon Gardner in the 36-17 win over Centennial to close the regular season.

Unlike the three previous years, when the Lions' seasons ended in Open semifinal heartbreak, this year's playoffs have been a march to the final game, starting in the first round, when trailing Hamilton 27-25 in the final quarter before they took off for a 39-27 win.

That seemed to shake any jitters out of them, because in last week's semifinal they had Highland on the ropes after the first few series on the way to a 54-12 rout.

Now, it's time to finish the deal and cement their legacy among the Arizona high school football giants.

"I know they're (Centennial) going to be ready to play, and we're going to be ready to play, as well," Liberty coach Colin Thomas said.

Getting to this point is huge for these teams. This is the ultimate prize. The Open, which began in 2019, rewards the top eight teams among the three big-school conferences in 6A, 5A and 4A by putting them together in a playoff bracket.

There is a new trophy this year, not one shaped like a football, to distinguish it from the conference championships.

Liberty and Centennial have never gotten this far.

It's fitting they meet again. They met for the Division II title in 2014, after Liberty beat Centennial for the region championship, only to lose to the Coyotes in the state championship game.

"I think they have more pressure than we do," Centennial coach Richard Taylor said. "Everybody is picking them to win, and I don't blame them."

Centennial is playing with house money. But nobody on Liberty's side is taking the Coyotes for granted. They are fast and physical and they have three players who can change the outcome in a heartbeat: cornerback/receiver Kenny Worthy III, defensive end/receiver Noah Carter and safety/receiver/running back Hayden Allen.

Sophomore quarterback Kainan Manna possesses a swagger that belies his slight frame. He can make all the throws, get the ball over the secondary to his deep threats.

Liberty will be ready.

That defense, led by linebackers Keaton Stam and Zall Tallman, has been opportunistic all season. When the Lions jumped all over Highland early, Stam set up one score with an interception, and Tallman scored on a blocked punt.

"We're both in the championship game for a reason," Bruzon said. "We're both great teams. It's going to be a great game."

The key for Liberty is Bruzon being on point with all of his targets and Jon Wilson being able to find enough holes to spring loose for big gains.

"It's a blessing to play for an Open championship," Bruzon. "I'm excited for the opportunity."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Liberty can cap one of the best HS football seasons ever in Arizona