Top-ranked Liberty defeated Centennial on Friday to secure the top seed in the high school football playoffs in Arizona. The losing coach let his emotions get the best of him during an angry tirade in the postgame handshake line.
He blew past the victors with an abrasive attitude.
His poor display of sportsmanship was a disappointing way to end one of the most intense high school football games of the season. The players were able to keep their composure!
Liberty defeated Centennial with its third-string quarterback.
Liberty High School is located in Peoria, Arizona as part of the Peoria Unified School District. It enrolls more than 2,500 students in Grades 9-12. Centennial High School is also located in Peoria, Arizona as part of the Peoria Unified School District. It enrolls approximately 2,000 students in Grades 9-12.
The two rival campuses are separated by less than 10 miles. Peoria is a suburb of Phoenix.
Both high school football teams compete in Class 6A of the Arizona Interscholastic Association in the Desert Valley Region. They are both ranked as one of the top-five teams in the Grand Canyon State. Liberty is ranked No. 1 at 9-1. Centennial is ranked No. 4 at 8-2.
The former defeated the latter on Friday. It was an impressive feat given the current state of its roster.
The top-ranked Lions had only one week to prepare for its crosstown rival without its starting and backup quarterbacks. Star wide receiver Braxton Huynh moved to quarterback on Friday.
However, Huynh rolled his ankle during the first half so wide receiver Evan Adamczyk took over as the fourth-string quarterback until backup quarterback Kenny Raymond was suddenly cleared to play at halftime. He sparked the offense during the second half.
Liberty ultimately defeated Centennial by a final score of 21-14. Its defense and special teams proved to be the difference.
The Lions blocked a field goal during the second quarter.
Huge play by Liberty’s special teams.
— BJ Media (@BJMedia1) November 7, 2026
Centennial attempts a FG but the Lions are able to block the attempt.
Centennial 14
Liberty 7
2:05 in Q2 pic.twitter.com/2zQHrWneYn
They also returned an interception for six points during the third quarter.
Liberty’s win likely secures the No. 1 seed in the Open Division state playoffs, which gives them a much-needed bye during the first round. Their quarterbacks can get healthy.
An Arizona high school football coach did not lose with class.
As is customary, both teams met at the 50-yard-line after the clock hit zero to shake hands. It did not take long for the interaction to get physical. Fortunately, a brawl did not ensue. Unfortunately, one of the Centennial coaches showed poor sportsmanship.
The coach — who is not believed to be the head coach — stormed past the Liberty coaching staff with an abrupt handshake. He yanked down on the Lions’ head coach’s arm. He elbowed multiple players on his way down the line. An assistant coach at Libery had to pull the Centennial coach out of the line to check his behavior and deescalate the situation.
Another view. I guess he was upset that they lost to a team on their #3 QB in who has played QB for 6 days in high school. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/M2d9fboD0p
— Jason Stam (@JasonStam3) November 7, 2026
There is a real possibility that these two high school football programs could see each other again during the playoffs. A rematch could get chippy after the Coyotes coach failed to keep his composure during the handshake line on Friday night.