Vinny DeAngelis is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Central High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX- If someone were to ask you what “the tale of two halves” expression meant in football, Friday's game between the Camelback Spartans(6-2) and the Central Bobcats(5-3) would be the perfect example. The Spartans overcame a 13-point, second-half deficit to edge the Bobcats 21-20 in a primetime 5A Metro region battle. 

Most of the Spartans’ games this season have kicked off at a cut-throat pace. This one began with a five-minute, melodic drive down the field that resulted in a goal-line rushing touchdown from junior quarterback Max Martin, who made his third start for Camelback. 

It would be the lone highlight for the Camelback offense in the first half, as the score remained 7-0, Spartans, until midway through the second quarter. That's when Bobcat Swiss Army Knife Carter Allen rushed in a goal-line touchdown to tie the game. 

Allen would record two interceptions at safety and catch a touchdown before halftime, but that is when his night would end. The senior stud was injured on his leaping scoring grab, and would miss the second half. That was a huge blow to the Central offense. 

Despite his spectacular first two starts and two rushing touchdowns Friday, Martin struggled mightily in the first half. The transfer threw three picks in the span of a quarter-and-a-half. “It really didn’t go our way in the first half,” said Martin. “We had to overcome a lot of adversity.”

The score would almost triple in the Bobcats’ favor before halftime thanks to five penalties by the Spartan defense along with two turnovers from the offense. The half ended 20-7 in favor of the Bobcats, and things needed to change for Camelback. “These kids have not been in this situation before,” said Camelback coach Brandon McNutt.“We needed to relax, and make a couple of adjustments.”

Adjustments were made as the Spartans scored on their first drive out of the half due to a switch in the playing style, which incorporated an emphasis on rushing. “We had to score,” said Martin. “We established the run game and did our jobs.”

Camelback ran it in to cut Central's lead to one-score, 20-14.

The Spartan defense underwent a transformation in the second half, picking off Bobcat quarterback Dominic Bagchi on the ensuing drive. “Nobody gives us credit, but we actually have a great defense,” said Mcnutt. “It just takes some time to warm up.”

Camelback’s defense would continue to engulf the Bobcat offense and not allow a single point the entire second half. 

The comeback would not be achieved for another quarter as the game turned into a stalemate. Eventually, halfway through the fourth quarter, the Spartan offense strung together a drive. It was abetted by two 15-yard penalties on Central’s defense, and a couple of crucial third-down conversions by Camelback. It all led to a second Martin rushing touchdown, as he reached out with the football to crash the pylon, that gave Camelback a 21-20 lead with seven minutes remaining. 

Max Martin diving into the endzone to tie the game (Vincent Deangelis/AZPreps365)

From there it was up to the staggering Spartan defense, and it delivered. A sack from freshman defensive end Tyler Warchol set up a do-or-die fourth down for the Bobcat offense. The next play had every single Camelback fan on their feet and screaming as defensive end Aivan Herrera sacked Bagchi to force a turnover on downs to seal the game for the Spartans. 

The Spartans take on the winless Alhambra Lions(0-8) at Alhambra next week and are in the driver’s seat for their first playoff berth in more than 20 years. “I'm thinking playoffs, baby,” said Martin. “Monday we are right back at it.”