By Todd Lamberth at TNhighschoolfootball.com
Centennial Cougars
City– Franklin
County– Williamson
Enrollment– 1,667
Last Year’s Record– 11-2, lost to Brentwood in 5A Quarterfinals
Region– 6-6A
Head Coach– Matt Kriesky (28-8 overall, 11-2 in one year at Centennial)
Offensive Coordinator– B.J. Oliver
Defensive Coordinator– Tim McKee
Assistant Coaches– Jim Glover (QB), Gaston Miller (RB), Allante McLemore (WR), Rob Baughman (WR), Troy Brewer (DL), Brad Simmons (DB), Major Tripp (LB)
Offense– Spread
Defense– 3-4
Returning Starters on Offense and Defense– 9 (5 Off/4 Def)
Last Playoff Appearance– 2016
Key Returnees– Jariel Wilson (RB/DB, Jr.), Tremond Coffee (WR/DB, Sr.), Tavion Fleming (WR/DB, Sr.), Jacob Spears (OL/DL, Jr.), Tre Stewart (QB, Sr.), Josh Rowan (LB, Sr.), Trevor Jones (OL/DL, Sr.), Ryan Newby (WR/LB, Sr.) , Ryan Staples (OL, Sr.), Wyatt Grupa (OL/DL, Sr.), Jackson Kress (DL, Sr.), Trevor Anderson (TE/DL, Soph.), Tre Carlton (ATH, Soph.), Kaden Carter (DL, Soph.), Kevin Townsel (ATH, Soph.)
Key Losses– Senturian DuReaux (WR/DB), Austin Waddell (WR/DB,), Devious Christmon (WR/DB), Tony Wall (TE/LB), Eli Katina (OL/DL), Nick Bell (OL/DL), Clay Carder (LB), Hayes Morrow (OL)
Outlook:
10 of the first 17 football seasons at Centennial High School ended with a losing record but you couldn’t tell that after the last three seasons on Mallory Lane.
The Cougars have averaged 11 wins over the last three seasons posting a 33-7 record and made three deep playoff runs with a trip to the 6A Quarterfinals in 2014, the 5A Semifinals in 2015 and the 5A Quarterfinals last season.
Centennial will try for a fourth consecutive 10 win season as they return nine starters to a team that will move up to 6A after playing the last two years in 5A.
Leading the way on offense will be senior quarterback Tre Stewart who passed for 1,345 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago.
Junior Jariel Wilson will start this season at running back after rushing for 657 yards and 12 touchdowns and will have a big impact on defense as well after making 83 tackles, intercepting two passes and forcing two fumbles in 2016.
Senior Tavion Fleming was the second on the team in receptions last season and returns after catching 31 balls for 380 yards and three touchdowns while also running for an additional 208 yards and one touchdown.
Besides Fleming, several others will look for playing time at receiver as seniors Tremond Coffee, Ryan Newby as well as a trio of sophomores in tight end Trevor Anderson and athletes Tre Carlton and Kevin Townsel will make the Cougars exciting on offense.
The Cougar offensive line will be bolstered by seniors Trevor Jones, Ryan Staples, Wyatt Grupa and junior Jacob Spears.
The Cougars will have some underclassmen playing on defense as they will have to replace seven starters.
Senior Jackson Kress (17 tackles, two sacks) will return to lead the defensive line and could be joined by sophomores Anderson, Christian Bledsoe and Kaden Carter as well as Spears, Jones and Grupa.
Josh Rowan (58 tackles, two fumble recoveries) will start at linebacker along with Newby (23 tackles) while Wilson, Coffee (62 tackles, three fumbles recoveries) and Fleming will be ball hawks in the secondary.
Centennial Since 2010:
54-30 overall record, five playoff appearances
2010- 2-8
2011- 7-5
2012- 7-5
2013- 5-5
2014- 10-3
2015- 12-2
2016- 11-2
By The Numbers:
3- Consecutive wins over arch rival Franklin (2014-16)
1996- First school year for Centennial
Centennial In the Playoffs:
Total Number of Playoff Appearances- 8
Playoff Record- 11-8
Deepest Playoff Run- Made Class 5A Semifinals in 2015
Coach Kriesky’s Thoughts:
“We will be playing a lot of young guys earlier this year. These guys will have to grow up quick for us to be successful.”
2017 Schedule:
*August 18- at Ravenwood
August 25- at Hendersonville
*September 1- at Independence
September 8- Cane Ridge
*September 15- at Dickson County
September 22- Riverdale
*September 29- Franklin
October 6- Hillsboro
October 13- OPEN
October 20- at Summit
*October 27- Brentwood
*Denotes Region Game
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