Coconino Beats Flagstaff To Win Their Third Straight City Championship

The Coconino Panthers will head into the 4A State Football Playoffs with some momentum after Friday’s 13-7 win over the Flagstaff Eagles in the 51st Flagstaff City Championship in the Skydome. The game was a defensive battle, but showcased two of the best running backs in the state. Coconino junior Zach Bennett had 26 carries for 135 yards, but it was senior fullback Beau Gomez who scored the Panthers only touchdown in the third quarter. Eagles junior running back Luis Jaramillo had 25 carries for 100 yards and the Eagles only touchdown, which came with just over three minutes left to play. With last night’s performance, Bennett broke the Coconino single season rushing record with 1,650 yards, breaking Bruce Branch’s mark set in 2000. Jaramillo broke the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season. The win was Coconino’s third straight over Flagstaff in the rivalry game. The Eagles finish 6-4 on the season and will miss the playoffs and their season comes to an end. The Panthers finish the regular season 9-1 and await their opponent in the first round of the playoffs which begins next Friday.