David Yankey (74) and Ben Carpenter (4) will look to lead a revamped Centennial team to an improvement over last season’s 3-7 record.

By Jason Longshore

Following a 6-4 season of promise in 2007, 2008 was a frustrating year for Centennial as the Knights finished the season with a 3-7 record. That disappointment has not derailed the optimism of coach Jeff Measor. Measor has high hopes for 2009 and he already sees improvement in his team, “We’ve come a long way, but we’re not where we want to be yet.” The goal of the Centennial coaching staff is to become one of the leading powers in a tough Region 6-AAAAA.

These plans were derailed by an injury filled season in 2008, made all the more frustrating after a competitive 6-4 in Measor’s first year in charge. The Knights won two out of their last three games last season, and will be returning a majority of their starters in 2009. “We want to play more consistently this year and avoid injuries,” said Measor.

Measor came to Centennial as they were reeling from a two year record of 3-17 in 2005-2006. He was a graduate assistant with Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida, coaching in an SEC Championship Game, the 2000 Sugar Bowl, and the 2001 Orange Bowl. His first season with the Knights saw a trip to the playoffs.

OFFENSE

The offensive line will be the Knights’ strength this season, led by Stanford bound David Yankey. Yankey graded out 95% in 2008 for the Knights. He is ranked in the top 50 by both Scout and Rivals at offensive tackle. After being recruited by the likes of Tennessee and Florida, Yankey chose the Pac-10 school. Possibly the scariest thing for opponents this season is the fact that Yankey is still growing, he has put on over forty pounds since last season. He went from a 190 pound sophomore to a 275 pound senior that is among the best in the country.

The line returns five seniors, most of which have three years of starting under their belts. “These guys are a key in providing leadership to the rest of the team,” said Measor. Besides Yankey, watch for senior center Joe DiPietro and senior guard Dominique Bradley.

Under center, quarterback Scott Laffler will return to lead the Knights. Laffler improved a great deal in 2008, playing very well down the stretch for the Knights in wins over Campbell and Lassiter. He is a threat both throwing and running the ball. In Centennial’s two wins late last season, Laffler made big plays with his feet to change the game. Considering he was not listed as a quarterback going into 2008 and only played there due to injuries, Laffler will only improve in 2009.

Laffler became a huge threat on the option late in the 2008 season, breaking multiple 20+ yard runs. The question in 2009 is if he will be able to find the same chemistry with his young running backs that he had with last year’s senior-laden backfield. Also expect to see junior Sean Gilrain take some snaps under center this season.

The Knight receiving corps will be strong, especially with CB Martin Jenkins seeing more time at wide out. Junior Stuart Mals became a favorite target of Laffler late in 2008. The Knights did a good job in 2008 of getting their running backs involved in the passing game, look for that to continue this year.

Speaking of the backfield, running back will be a question mark for the Knights going into the season. Gone from the team are class of ’09 members Marcus Nabors and Tyler Forester. However, don’t think that losing two starters means that Centennial will have a lack of talent at the position. “We have more talent in the backfield this year than we’ve ever had,” said Measor. “The issue is experience.” Carlson Carty will likely be the primary option, he impressed in limited time last season.

DEFENSE

Seniors Rusty White, Erik Lee, and Martin Jenkins will be key in holding together a Knights’ defense that gave up an average of 27.6 points per game in 2008. Centennial will struggle to replace DE Euclid Cummings, who will be at Georgia Tech this fall. Someone will have to step up to pressure the quarterback and make the big plays that Cummings’ provided when needed throughout his career at Centennial. White will be counted on as the most experienced member of the defensive line.

The Knights’ team speed on defense will frustrate opposing teams. One question mark is who will be starting opposite of Jenkins at corner back. This will likely be a target of the opposition passing game as they try to avoid throwing at the Clemson recruit Jenkins. “The secondary is an area we need to improve,” said Measor.

Martin Jenkins committed to Clemson late this summer after interest from Florida, Mississippi, and North Carolina. His blazing speed attracted everyone’s attention. Jenkins finished fourth in the state in the state high school track meet last spring in both the 100 and 200 meter races; he’s also clocked in at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. He is one of the best cornerbacks in the state and a threat on offense any time he touches the ball.

SPECIAL TEAMS

On special teams, kicker Brendan Moore returns while the punter position is up for grabs. Moore has big range, providing an option from 50 yards plus.

In the return game, watch for Jenkins and his blazing speed on kickoffs. The sure handed, departing Forester will have to be replaced as a punt returner.

2009 is an important year for the Knights. “We’re really going to miss this senior class when they’re gone,” said Measor. “There’s going to be a lot of holes to fill after they graduate. This is the best senior class we’ve had in terms of leadership and ability.”

It is the coaching staff’s hope that this translates to the field. “The kids have to play with more urgency, last year we let the game come to us too often and started slowly,” said Measor.

“We want games 9 and 10 to be meaningful,” said Measor. “Whether it’s competing for the region championship or trying to make the playoffs, we want those games to mean something.”

2009 Centennial Knight Roster (Players are listed numerically) Zietrick Smith, Scott Laffler, Carlson Carty, Ben Carpenter, Patrick Choi, Jimmy Meyer, Patrick Jenkins, Amari Ross, Demarco Hart, Connor Davis, Danny Deshong, Sean Gilrain, Alvin Kamara, Antonio Morgan, Brendan Moore, Chase Rosenberg, Matt Deshong, Erik Lee, Stuart Mals, Terrance Thompson, Martin Jenkins, Christian Peterson, Evan Hamrick, Isiah Hart, Dartez Jacobs, Cameron Malone, Malik Wood, Payton Barber, Javon Swaingain, Jeff Charles, Kevin Walden-Brown, Darius Tye, Reggie Dunning, Landon Hall, Brandon Morin, Colin Peebles, Andres Crispino, Paul Adediran, Fedor Kilmov, Camrin Carty, Victor Hernandez, Chris Soulant, Chris Spooner, Brandon Padget, Dominque Bradley, Rusty White, Kyle Price, Jamie Miller, Vincent Calhoun, Patrick Sammons, Joe DiPietro, Connor Riley, Daniel Stainback, James Xia, Sean Rumph, Brett Larkin, David Yankey, Dee Hall, Juan Orozco, Cameron Brown, Wade Francis, Ryan Jenkins, Alex Bruce, Tre Tennyson, Jerry Timberlake, Noah Alexander, Jermey Clear, Jules Allen, Chris Grant, Mathias Hanna, Tevin Temple, Nate Howard, Fletcher Richmond. 2009 Centennial Cheerleaders Anna McGraw, Jasmine Mustafa, Nicky Erickson, Sam Larkin, Jennifer Savage; Julie Freeman, Morgan Owens, Hope Ferguson, Sierra Schultz, Jennifer Gole, Mckenna Jordan, Amy Gundaker, Keeley McKenzie, Hanna Johnson, Sam Dance, Shanon Winter, Jamie Cool, Lindsey Gordon

Jason Longshore on Centennial

PREDICTION: What stood out above all while covering Centennial games last year was their heart. Injuries decimated a team that was picked as a contender in 6-AAAAA. It would have been easy to use that as an excuse and just wait for next year. The Knights never did that.  

Looking back at last season, the game that stands out to me was a 37-17 loss to Kell midway through the season. The final score doesn’t reflect the fact that the game was tied 17-17 at the start of the 3rd quarter or that the Knights came back from 17-7 down at halftime to tie the score in the 3rd quarter.  

Turnovers and penalties did the Knights in that night, as they typically do to young teams. However, the experience gained by the young players last season was reflected in winning two out of the last three games.

 
The biggest question mark is the backfield. If Carlson Carty can deliver on the promise he displayed at times last season, the option attack led by QB Scott Laffler will be dangerous.

 
Barring injuries, the Knights will be a contender this season. That status will be tested in week two at Roswell. The Knights will not play a team with a winning record in 2008 until week five when they host Milton, followed up by a visit to Kell the following week. Centennial will go 6-4 and tie for fourth in Region 6-AAAAA.