Column: Centennial can not be slowed down by Chaminade

It took four buses, 80 miles and two hours to transport 140 football players from Corona Centennial to West Hills Chaminade on Friday night for a Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinal playoff game.

So the Huskies decided they might as well put on an offensive show for the San Fernando Valley fans getting the rare treat to see one of Southern California’s best programs.

What transpired was vintage Centennial during the Matt Logan era of endless possibilities. The Huskies scored touchdowns on their first nine possessions en route to a 66-35 victory. “That’s our goal — score every possession,” Logan said.

Quarterback Tanner McKee, running back Miles Reed and receiver Justin Fisher benefited from an overpowering offensive line that created one scoring opportunity after another. It didn’t matter if it was first down or fourth down, the Huskies (11-1) couldn’t be stopped.

McKee, a 6-foot-6 junior, completed 21 of 26 passes for 348 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown. Miles Reed rushed for 215 yards in 21 carries and scored four touchdowns. Fisher caught nine passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns. Twice the Huskies went for it on fourth down and scored touchdowns.

“The offense is so potent,” Reed said. “If you want to attack me or Tanner, we’re going to go to the air. You have to pick your poison.”

By the time halftime came around, the Huskies had scored a stunning eight touchdowns on eight offensive possessions for a 56-21 lead. Logan is so confident about his team’s offensive capabilities that he called three consecutive timeouts at the end of the second quarter thinking his team could still score with 37.7 seconds left and the ball on the Centennial six-yard line.

And sure enough, three plays later, McKee fired a 56-yard touchdown pass to Reed with 5.5 seconds to spare. So the Huskies went 94 yards in about 32 seconds with no timeouts left.

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Centennial running back Miles Reed slashes through the Chaminade defense during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial defensive back Jaylan Shaw tries to bring down Chaminade receiver Michael Wilson during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Chaminade quarterback Brevin White is pressured by Centennial defensive lineman Noah Anthony during the second half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial linebacker Kyle Bilchik puts a big hit on Chaminade’s Owen Larson during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial running back Thomas Kinslow grinds out a few more yards on a carry against Chaminade during the second half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial quarterback Arturo Herrera looks for room to run against Chaminade during the second half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial running back Miles Reed breaks away for a touchdown against Chaminade during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial wide receiver Troy Spencer Jr. hauls in a pass in front of Chaminade’s Andrew Vanburen during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Centennial receiver Justin Fisher celebrates a touchdown catch against Chaminade during the first half of a game on Nov. 18.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

“Coach Logan gets us prepared for any situation,” McKee said. “We have to be confident in ourselves and confident Coach Logan is going to make the right call and we execute.”

For 12 minutes, Chaminade (8-4) hung with the Huskies in what was a first-quarter offensive shootout. Centennial held a 28-21 lead. T.J. Pledger scored touchdowns on a runs of 16, six and 68 yards for the Eagles. He finished with 137 yards in 19 carries and scored four touchdowns. Ryan Stevens passed for 218 yards and Michael Wilson caught three passes for 134 yards.

Centennial is the two-time defending Pac-5 Division champions and will play Bellflower St. John Bosco in next Friday’s semifinals at Cerritos College. The two schools have played in the championship game the last two seasons, with Centennial prevailing.

“They’re a great team, with great players and a great coaching staff,” Logan said.

Santa Ana Mater Dei is the No. 1 seed in Division 1, but Centennial is the team that must be stopped to win it all.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter @LATSondheimer