Centennial overcomes sluggish performance, tops Foothill in overtime

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 | 11:47 a.m.

Centennial High’s Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 4-yard touchdown in overtime Thursday to lift the Bulldogs to a 24-17 victory against visiting Foothill.

One week after beating Palo Verde in a battle of top-10 ranked teams, Centennial was lucky to escape with a win against a solid Foothill team, Centennial coach Leon Evans said.

“We just were flat,” Evans said. “You saw it in the kids’ eyes on the sideline. They were trying to fight through it and trying to fight through it, but couldn’t get anything going.”

But Centennial wasn’t flat on the game’s first play. Brandan Harley raced about 70 yards for a touchdown and quick 7-0 lead.

Foothill didn’t back down. Aedan Bartolowitz scored on a short touchdown reception from Devon Mueller early in the second quarter to tie the game.

Centennial led 14-7 at halftime after Juan Rodriguez connected with Savon Scarver for a 10-yard touchdown seconds before halftime. But after battling back and forth with Foothill for most of the first half, Evans knew his team was in for a second-half battle.

“As bad as we played last night, to come out with a win, shows that we can play,” Evans said.

Centennial’s Zach Mays and Foothill’s Cory Fisher, the two kicking specialists on the Sun’s preseason team, each booted field goals.

Centennial has a bye next week before playing Legacy. Foothill hosts Valley.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21