It wasn't Hamilton's official Homecoming game Thursday night, but it sure felt like it for Husky nation.

With former Hamilton star quarterback Travis Dixon making his coaching debut in a battle of heavyweight programs, a considerable gathering of former Husky players and coaches packed the sidelines and bleachers.

It was a sloppy game played on Hamilton's beautiful new synthetic turf, but the home crowd left happy, as the 4th-ranked Huskies held off No. 2 Centennial, 17-10 in a 6A non-region season opener.

"We've got some work to do and it wasn't pretty but we're 1-0 tonight and that's the best thing about it," Dixon said before alluding to the big crowd in attendance.

"This is what it's all about. With high school football we want to have everyone around in the community out here for every Friday night supporting these guys."

How it Happened

Hamilton's defense played fast and physical, harrassing Centennial quarterback Kainan Manna all game long. Sophomore Derrick LeBlanc recorded three of Hamilton's six sacks. When Manna did have time, his strong arm and accuracy were on display, but four dropped passes did not help. It was also apparent that Centennial lacks a deep threat offensively. That should change when highly touted transfers Shamar Berryhill and Nikko Boncore become eligible.

Meanwhile, Hamilton quarterback Rich Lucero Jr. played a near flawless first half, and manufactured a crucial 43-yard drive early in the fourth quarter that provided the game's decisive points. The senior passed for 215 yards and one touchdown, and scored another on the ground that gave Hamilton its 17-10 lead.

Lucero praised the new head coach and emphasized his impact. 

"It's like a dream come true getting a coach who not only played here but also played quarterback and set the bar," Lucero said of Dixon.

"He talks about championship habits and that's his thing...whatever we do off the field, on the field, weightroom or classroom, always having championship habits. So when things get tough like it did in this game, and the adversity hits, you're going to fall back on your training."

Hamilton quarterback Rich Lucero Jr. delivers a pass Thursday night against Centennial. Photo by Steve Paynter/MaxPreps)

Hamilton controlled the game for most of the first half. Lucero came out razor sharp, driving the Huskies 80 yards on their first posession. He completed all five of his pass attempts for 78 of those yards. A 10-yard swing toss to Sabriam Torres gave Hamilton an early 7-0 lead. 

After Centennial's Aaron Alvarez connected on a field goal late in the first quarter, Lucero put together another solid drive which included a 44-yard completion to Torres. Hamilton reached Centennial's 11-yard line before a penalty and dropped touchdown pass deflated the drive. The Huskies settled for a field goal and 10-3 lead they would take into halftime.

A Big Stop Starts Centennial's Offense

Four minutes into the third quarter, Centennial's defense forced a sudden change in momentum that would lead to a touchdown. 

Hamilton faced a fourth down and short yardage near midfield and it appeared the Huskies would punt. The decided to go for it, but the Coyote defense stuffed Hamilton for no gain, giving Centennial a huge spark and great field position.

Manna and the offense took advantage, marching 51 yards in seven plays for a touchdown on a short pass from Manna to Levi Johnson to tie the score at 10.

Centennial forced another Hamilton punt, but the Coyotes were unable to sustain another scoring drive in the second half, as they dealt with poor field position the entire fourth quarter. Hamilton's offense took advantage of a short field, finding its rhythm again for a 43-yard scoring drive. 

Lucero got in the endzone on a short keeper to put Hamilton back on top, 17-10 with just over seven minutes to play. Hamilton's defense clamped down on Centennial the rest of the game, pressuring Manna to scramble and throw on the run.

Observations from a Legend 

Centennial coach Richard Taylor, a seven time state champion with the Coyotes, shared wisdom and optimism after the game. "You either win or you learn. I'm hoping we learn from this and I believe we have," Taylor said. 

"But (our team) played really hard. Our secondary is just all young kids, but they got better as the game went along, and I bet ya they're going to play a lot better next week."

The Coyotes face another difficult East Valley road trip next week when they travel to ok Highland.

Hamilton will host Desert Ridge.

 

Ben Stapley is a staff writer for AZPreps365. For human interst story suggestions and other related news, contact him @ bstapley@azpreps365.com or 480 295-9125.