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By Chris Parker
Central football is looking to snap a 51-game losing streak this year, and the first step to achieving that goal was accomplished in the summer: numbers.
“We (averaged) between 50 and 55 kids for summer workouts, which has changed drastically from the last two years. Kids are buying in. They are seeing their friends starting to see some success. I think they really have an understanding of what’s on the horizon,” Central coach Shem Johnson said. “If you have numbers, you have the ability to last. Now that we don’t have to sit there and have the same 12 guys playing offense and defense it gives us a chance to rest. It gives us a chance to find the next man up quickly while number one does actually get rest. From there we have a fighting chance because now we can look across the field and go ‘alright, we have equal amount of numbers. They don’t outshine us by 80 kids.’”
The offense will be run by seniors.
Ahmias Hart returns at quarterback after taking over the starting job in the third week last season.
“He (Hart) came on about the third week a year ago. He’s got a lot of talent, strong arm, smart young man, and knows what we want. He tried really hard a year ago to prove himself, and (we) quickly figured out that this is a young man that can help us find the success we’re after,” Johnson said.
Isaiah Harvey will play both ways again at running back and linebacker. He is a four-year starter for the Bulldogs who earned all-district honors at linebacker last year.
“I tell everybody that’s a young man (Harvey) that bleeds black and red. The one thing he wants probably more than anybody is victory and a win. Just to be part of that class that says: ‘We were here. We endured a lot and now we finally changed it.’”
Jaydon Mercado will be out on the perimeter at wide receiver. He earned all-district honors at wide receiver last season as a junior.
“He really showed out towards the end of the season, caught his stride and he definitely will be one of the top receivers in the area,” Johnson said. “He is just a kid who’s got a motor. The biggest thing about any of these kids is the intelligence level. They understand football and they get it, and they’re buying into what we’re selling so that young man is going to increase his number of catches. (Mercado will) definitely increase his number of touchdowns. He’ll definitely be a guy we’re going to ride in to a 2021 counting on.”
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Up front, Roger Mendez will be the key piece on the offensive line at center.
“He (Mendez) has pretty much been anchoring that line for the last three seasons,” Johnson said. “He is intelligent. He will make all of the calls. He worked his butt off to be the center and the main core of that line. He is a young guy who is going to lead the way for our line helping our run game solidify the rest of our offense.”
Johnson’s Bulldogs will look for the passing game to make things go on offense.
“I think people saw how dangerous it (the passing game) could be towards the end of the season,” Johnson said. “As we start getting things clicking, our passing game is definitely going to be top notch. I believe that we’re going to have some people worried. We definitely have some dudes that can take the top off. (In the) run game, we finally have the size we’re looking for. We finally have the ability to get a push up front. Honestly, I think we’re going to be pretty balanced overall when we really break it down, but I think what people will be fearful of is that passing game.”
The defense will also be led by seniors.
In addition to Harvey, senior Ashton Stine will be a leader of not just the defense but the entire team.
“He (Stine) is the vocal leader of the entire football team. He’s the guy we are really counting on to just come in and bang heads and set the tone,” Johnson said. “He’s been there from day one. He’s a four-year starter (who has) seen the downs and the lows. He has also bought into what is going to be the highs of the group.”
Stine will see time at both linebacker and defensive end.
Tyren Hendrix will anchor the secondary at free safety.
“He (Hendrix) understands the defense. He understands what we’re looking for and how to get guys in place. He’s what we really look at as our defensive quarterback because he’s been able to put guys in places throughout our 7-on-7 making sure guys understand it. He’s picked up what our defensive coordinator (is) emphasizing. It’s just clicked for him,” Johnson said.
One big change for this team is how they work for each other both on and off the field.
“It’s a cliché (because) obviously you can’t win a team game without liking your team. In the past, we’ve been full of individuals. This team is one that has bought into each other. These guys like each other. They enjoy hanging out with each other. They support each other,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re playing football or basketball or whatever into another sport, they’re there for one another truly. The fact that these guys just believe in each other is the biggest difference than any other team that I’ve been associated with over here.”
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That buy-in can be attributed to a large class of 16 seniors.
“They’ve set a tone. They set a completely new tone that’s brought in a lot of new faces, a lot of new athletes, not necessarily just football players, but guys who are like ‘hey, we smell something good brewing over here. We want to be a part of it.’ It’s a lot more than just being a part of something, it’s owning it. These young men have finally owned what they’re about, and they’ve earned the success they will have.”
That group of seniors will look to emphasize the Central football motto of #GetRightOrGetLeft.
“If getting right means giving your effort, showing up, doing everything that’s asked of you as a player and as a teammate; then you’re right on board with the success that we plan on having in 2021. If that’s not your mindset, and you’re there to be an individual; you’re there just to wear the jersey and be a part of something then you’re probably going to get left behind. The guys have proven to anybody else who steps on that field to be a part of Central Bulldogs football that there’s only one way to go, one structure to follow, one discipline they have. That’s get right because we’re tired of not being right.”
Johnson is hoping it all comes together so the Bulldogs can capture their ultimate goal and get the program’s first victory on the field since 2015.
“It is important to my boys. It is important to finally get over the hump,” Johnson said. “The win is important to these young men because they know in the long run being the team that changed the outlook of Central Football and the culture; it starts with that. We’ve had our moral victories. We’ve gotten to a point where these young men understand that we’ve been here. We’ve been through the thick and thin. We get what it is like to grow from the things we’ve been through. Now let’s come out the other end. I’d be lying if I didn’t say they want that win more than anything else just so you can say it’s over, it’s done with, and now let’s show everybody else what we are about.”
Central football opens the season on Aug. 27 at home against Eldon.
