The underdog Centennial Bulldogs pulled off a significant playoff upset, defeating the favored Shadow Ridge Mustangs 43-27 in the first round of the Playoffs on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The loss, the Mustangs’ second consecutive defeat, brings their impressive 8-3 season to an abrupt and disappointing end. “We learn from all of our losses,” says Sophomore Cameron Rock.     

For the Bulldogs, the victory was a testament to a powerful ground game and timely plays that consistently answered Shadow Ridge’s counterpunches.

Centennial, the No. 8 seed, set the tone early in the contest. A 2-yard touchdown run by Nehemiah Dunlap-Myvett put the Bulldogs on the board late in the first quarter. But Shadow Ridge, the top seed in the tournament, quickly responded. Mustangs quarterback Isaiah Ruiz broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, tying the game at 6-6.

The tit-for-tat continued as Centennial’s Brogan Church immediately answered with an 80-yard touchdown run of his own, re-establishing a 13-6 lead for the Bulldogs. Not to be outdone, Ruiz again found paydirt for the Mustangs, connecting with Trevin Young on an 82-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 13.   

However, the momentum began to shift just before halftime. A touchdown pass from Dunlap-Myvett to Jordan Bostick put Centennial up 19-13 heading into the locker room, and the Bulldogs would continue to build on that lead in the second half.

While Shadow Ridge made plays throughout the game, they could not overcome Centennial’s punishing run game. In addition to his earlier touchdown, Church finished with 202 total yards and three touchdowns, while Dunlap-Myvett rushed for 127 yards and one score. In all, the Bulldogs rushed for 309 yards, far surpassing their season average. This dominant ground attack proved to be the difference-maker, consistently wearing down the Mustangs’ defense and controlling the clock.

For the Mustangs, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, particularly after such a strong 8-2 regular season performance. The defeat marked their second in a row, with the previous loss coming at the hands of Bishop Gorman. The season ends with what feels like a premature exit from the playoffs for a team that had demonstrated so much potential throughout the fall.   “ Even though I didn’t play I still believe we tried our best,” says Sophomore Darius Evans. 

Centennial, with a 6-4 record, advances to the next round of the playoffs to face Green Valley. For Shadow Ridge, it’s a season of what-ifs, leaving them with the knowledge that a promising campaign ended much sooner than they had hoped.