Bulldogs special teams ignite rout of Desert Oasis

Centennial’s special teams had such a special game at Desert Oasis Friday, even plays that shouldn’t have amounted to much became huge.

As Bulldogs’ returner Brandt Honda waited to return a first-quarter punt, the kick was shanked. The ball rolled 20 yards up the right sideline in bounds and the play appeared to turn into a boon for Desert Oasis.

But as two Diamondbacks stood on each side of the ball, Honda bolted between them, scooped the ball off the ground and zigzagged 64 yards to the endzone to give the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead.

Fourth-ranked Centennial ended up with two special teams scores, forced three turnovers, including two interception returns for scores, blocked a punt and dominated all phases of the game en route to a 65-22 romp of Desert Oasis.

Honda said he was just trying to be a playmaker on the touchdown return.

“The fella just turned his back to me,” Honda said. “I saw the grass in front of me and just took it and tried to make a play out of it. That’s what our coaches wanted. They say if you are a playmaker, try to make a play.”

Honda also was part of a second-quarter flurry that saw the Bulldogs (5-1, 2-0 Southwest) score 21 points in just over a minute of play.

Quarterback Austin Turley had a 10-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Centennial’s Haikeem Arnold recovered a fumble after a bad snap, and one play later Coby Newton scored on a 7-yard run.

Two plays later, Honda picked off a pass and scrambled 20 yards to the endzone to increase Centennial’s lead to 42-7 with 10:47 left before halftime.

“Oh I take no credit for that,” said Honda. “That was the defensive line and the linebackers just doing their jobs. He just threw it straight to me. Everyone just did their job.”

Centennial’s defensive front harassed Desert Oasis quarterbacks all night, led by Jordan Karst who had four sacks.

“It’s hard to block that young man one on one,” said Centennial coach Leon Evans of Karst. “He is so big and strong. And overall, our front four put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. They forced some tough throws and did a great job tonight.”

Marvin Duty was the bright spot for Desert Oasis (1-5, 0-2), grabbing eight receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Deandre White returned an interception 40 yards for a score for Centennial, while Christopher Rodriguez blocked a punt out of the endzone for a safety in the second half.

“We are really excited we were able to put all three phases together,” Evans said. “In the first half, we passed for a score, ran for another, had another set up by a fumble, had a punt return and two defensive scores. You cant get any more of a balanced attack than that.”

Honda said the dominating win could prove to be a key point in the season for the Bulldogs.

“Its a really big confidence boost after losing to Arbor View,” said Honda. “I think it’s really what we needed.”