Game Preview: Centennial v. Ironwood Ridge

SW Analyst Jason Jewell breaks down tonight's matchup of undefeated D2 squads

Preview: Tucson (Az.) Ironwood Ridge at Peoria (Az.) Centennial

Last week: Centennial (5-0) beat Willow Canyon (2-3) 41-7. Ironwood Ridge (5-0) beat Marcos de Niza (3-2) 34-20.

Players to Watch: Centennial- senior RB/DB Zach Hoffpauir, junior RB Jalen Ortiz, senior WR/DB Troy Hawthorne, senior LB Brennan Franklin, senior DL Josh Stevens, junior OL Spencer Nathe

Ironwood Ridge- senior RB/DB Mitch Fischer, junior QB/DB Tyler Williams, senior OL C.J. Healy

Keys to a Centennial win: Stop the run. Ironwood Ridge has only attempted 30 passes all year and 15 of those came in one game. The Coyotes DL will have to play tough. Marcus Farria has been ruled out so a big game from Josh Stevens, Sam Ray and Devin Leon is crucial. If Centennial can keep running the ball, one it will keep the ball out of Fischer's hands but two, Fischer and Williams go both ways. They will undoubtedly be spent.

Keys to an Ironwood Ridge win: Like I stated above, Ironwood Ridge is a run first team. Mitch Fischer has rushed for nearly 800 yards and 11 TDs already. He is going to be the focus of the Centennial D, a big night will be needed out of him. Former WR turned QB Tyler Williams is their #2 rusher, he is going to have to make plays. Centennial tried to be balanced on O but there is no question that RBs Ortiz and Hoffpauir are the focus of their offense. IR needs to slow those two down.