Hennis’ OT touchdown lifts No. 3 Centennial

Tyler Hennis caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jamaal Evans on the second play of overtime to give Centennial a 31-24 road victory over Palo Verde on Thursday.

"When we need a play, you've got to make it," Centennial coach Leon Evans said. "And he (Jamaal Evans) made a nice connection with Tyler Hennis there for the touchdown in overtime. It was a huge play."

Centennial's Sky Rodriguez got a hand on T.J. Webb's pass on fourth-and-goal from the 10 on Palo Verde's possession to seal the win for the third-ranked Bulldogs.

Palo Verde's Aaron Mack banked in a 47-yard field goal off the left upright with no time remaining in regulation to tie the game at 24.

"When something like that happens, there is a momentum swing and all that because they're just kids," Leon Evans said. "My heart just sunk on that, but the kids battled. I'm proud of them. They bounced back after that and continued to play."

Centennial's Michael Neubeck had made a 35-yard field goal with four seconds left to put the Bulldogs (3-0) up 24-21.

"That was one of my concerns going into this season, but this kid has answered the call every time," Leon Evans said of his kicking game. "I'm super proud of Neubeck. I love him to death."

Centennial was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on the celebration, and had to kick off from its 25.

The eighth-ranked Panthers covered the kick at the 40, then were called for delay of game, pushing the ball back to the 45.

Offsetting penalties set up another play from the 45, and the Bulldogs were called for a personal foul, giving the Panthers one final chance on an untimed down. Palo Verde's starting quarterback, Logan Hutchison, was injured on the play, forcing Webb into action in overtime.

Centennial was called for four personal fouls after Neubeck's go-ahead field goal, including one in overtime that pushed the ball to the 6-yard line.

"We've got to keep our composure. That's all that was," Leon Evans said. "We lost our composure, and we have to do a much better job than that. We got away with it tonight. We were lucky it didn't come back to bite us in the butt."

Rhamondre Stevenson led the charge in the second half for Centennial, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown after halftime. He finished with 153 yards on 16 carries.

"That's what we expect out of Rhamondre," Leon Evans said. "It's his second game back, so he's getting into shape. He carried the load for us in the second half. That's what we expect from our senior running back."

Savon Scarver had two catches for 114 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown from Evans with 1:07 to go in the first half to put the Bulldogs up 14-7.

Evans completed 6 of 20 passes for 145 yards and added a 58-yard TD run with 8:41 to go in the first half.

Hutchison completed 16 of 24 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown to lead Palo Verde (1-2), and Webb rushed for 70 yards on 10 carries.