5 takeaways from Chandler's frantic finish to stave off Centennial in Open playoff

Chandler was down to its third-string tailback.

But with big plays from special teams and the calm and cool of quarterback Dylan Raiola, the Wolves advanced to the Open Division state semifinals with a 47-27 victory Friday night over visiting Peoria Centennial.

The third-seeded Wolves (9-3) get to try to avenge one of their two regular-season losses to second-seeded Chandler Basha next Saturday night in the semifinals. Top-seeded Peoria Liberty and fifth-seeded Scottsdale Saguaro meet in the other semifinal.

Here are five takeaways from Chandler's big response after getting down in the third quarter:

1. Taking Centennial's best punch

Centennial's fast, furious defense took over the game in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns. The first was one of the best plays you will find this season and maybe in the last decade by a defender. Junior defensive end Noah Carter scooped up a fumble at his 9-yard-line and outran Chandler's offense into the end zone for an 91-yard touchdown early in the second half that cut the Coyotes' deficit to 23-14.

Then, the next time Chandler had the ball, Raiola had a pass tipped and Kenny Worthy III intercepted at midfield. Five plays later, Aaden Nguyen was in the end zone from a yard out to make it 23-21. Then, it really got wonky for Chandler. Xavier Valdivia, a sophomore taking the place of injured starter Ca'lil Valentine, fumbled. Aaron Monroe Jr;, scooped it from the Chandler 17 and ran it back for another defensive touchdown and Centennial led for the first time, 27-23. Just like that, it felt Chandler's season was collapsing.

But with Valdivia knocked out of the game on the play with an injury, Raiola drove Chandler downfield, going underneath the coverage, along the sidelines and down the field. He hit Tyreek Styles-Obichere for a 2-yard score and a 30-27 lead. Centennial's offense never got untracked after that and Chandler kept cashing in on special-team mistakes.

"Centennial played their rear ends off," Chandler coach Rick Garretson said. "It was a tough game, like it should be in the Open Division."

2. Special teams mistakes

Late in the first half, Coyotes' punter Brysen Gardner, waiting for the play clock to go down to 0, watched a snap sail way over his head. He had to back-track about 30 yards and Chandler had a chance to tack three points on with five seconds to play. Jacob Medina's 36-yard field goal as the half expired extended Chandler's lead to 23-7.

After Raiola's third TD pass gave Chandler back the lead early in the fourth quarter, Gardner wasn't able to cleanly field a low snap from the 5. He was tackled on his 2-yard line. Charles Ennis, Chandler's third-string tailback, cashed in on the next play with a scoring run and a 37-27 lead. Centennial never recovered from that.

Chandler got the ball back in great field position the next time it had it, and Medina kicked another field goal. Then, Blake Heffron iced the game by returning a short punt back 36 yards for a touchdown.

"In big games, special teams ...," Centennial coach Richard Taylor said. "Their defense was exceptional. We just didn't hang onto the ball long enough."

3. Raiola's poise

Raiola was sacked five times. He nearly was intercepted twice by Worthy. And, just when it looked like Centennial had Chandler reeling, Raiola picked himself back up and calmly led the Wolves through the storm. He passed for nearly 300 yards and was brilliant at times finding his third or fourth receiver and dropping it in for a big play. With the Wolves down their top two running backs, they needed Raiola to have his best game.

It was his fourth-and-goal completion from the 2 to Styles-Obichere for the touchdown to start the final quarter that gave the Wolves back the lead that showed that you can never count the top 2024 prospect in the nation out.

"We prepare for those moments," Raiola said. "We have trust in our guys."

4. 'Just get there'

It didn't matter how ugly it was, Chandler, after losing to Basha and Hamilton in thrillers in the last month of the season, just needed to find a way to win. It did with a relentless defense that was at its best after getting down 27-23 in the wild third quarter.

Valdivia didn't return to the game after getting injured in the third quarter. But Ennis was clutch running the ball. And the defense was the constant, making it tough for Centennial quarterback Steven Uriquiza to have any time to throw. Tailback Kavaughn Clark also found the holes much smaller. And, for most of the final quarter, Centennial's offense was moving backwards.

"It's all about advancing, that's all that matters," Garretson said. "Just get there. And we know how to get there."

5. 'Our culture is back'

Taylor wasn't too disappointed by the ending. Sure, he wanted to win. But this was a big season for the Coyotes to show they could bounce back from an awful 3-8 2021 season. They finished 8-3 this year and played their best football late in the season, giving Liberty a tough game.

"Our culture is back," Taylor said. "We're ready to go next year."

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

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chandler defeats Centennial in Open Division playoff thriller