COQUITLAM - The Centennial Centaurs are cranking up their intensity as they head into the BC High School Triple-A football playoffs, despite what Mother Nature has in store for them.

The rain and wind are not enough to distract them from their goal of ending a championship drought that has lasted nearly a half century. The last time Centennial won a Triple-A crown was in 1967.

"(That was) the only time that Centennial has been able to pull of a Triple-A championship," said Centennial head coach Kevin Phillips. "And again, we don't want to jinx ourselves and we want to get through the next three weeks and play good football. And get better each week."

"It's time," says running back Nehemie Kankolongo. "It's been over 40 years. We've got to finish the job."

This Coquitlam high school team surprised many in the league by finishing first with an undefeated record of five wins and no losses in conference play.

Despite their success, the Centaurs have had to deal with their share of adversity. Centennial's star quarterback Luke Williams was lost to injury following a week one win over W.J. Mouat. He suffered a torn MCL and ACL and was lost for the year.

Williams' season-ending injury forced Phillips to devise a new plan of attack on offense.

"Lemar (Durant) has been my number one receiver for the last couple of years," said graduating senior Spenser Lang. "It's kind of weird being on the other side of things playing receiver and he's quarterback now. But he makes plays and he is a big part to our team."

"Me and him (Lang), we thought it was going to be a crazy passing attack in grade 12," says Durant, the Centaurs quarterback. "We just flipped it and now it's working good."

It did not take long for the Centaurs to adapt to the changes made by Phillips. Their willingness for each player to accept their new roles ultimately helped save what could have easily have been a lost season. Their goal now is simple try to reverse the curse.

"It would be huge for the fans and us as a school," said Durant.

"It would be nice to go out as champs. There is expectations from a lot of people. We have the team to do it. It's just going to be a matter of getting it together, getting it done and grinding it out."

Centennial will now battle to end a 42-year drought and it begins against Lord Tweedsmuir Saturday night at Langley's McLeod Athletic Park.

With a report from CTV's Kelcey Brade