Cougars Push For Regional Crown Against Patriots From Paris
In the final week of the TSSAA regular season, regional standings throughout the state will be finalized. One such region coming down the final week is Region 7-5A, which will be decided when Centennial hosts the Henry County Patriots. Both teams come in with matching 8-1, 6-0 in Region 7-5A.
The Cougars have been led this season by a dominant defense. Centennial’s defense has held their opponents to just over 14 points per game. When the Cougars’ loss to Class 5A number 1 Independence is removed, Centennial has given up less than 10 points per game. The Cougars’ success has come with forcing turnovers, forcing 30 turnovers on the year. Centennial’s defense has been led by Texas A&M commit Tyrel Dodson and defensive back Clay Carder. Dodson has 6 sacks on the year and more than 25 tackles for loss on the season. The Cougars are coming off a game where they held Rossview to 7 points and less than 200 yards of total offense. Centennial has held opponents to just over 500 yards rushing on the season, but will face their biggest test of the season against the run-heavy Patriots. Henry County comes into the game averaging nearly 33 points per game.
The Cougar offense has been very potent against regional opponents. Centennial has scored at least 24 points in every regional game and averaged nearly 38 points per game in Region 7-5A play. With injuries at the quarterback position early in the season, the Cougars have relied on their two-headed monster at running back. Their leading rusher this season has been Mondu Sawyers, who has run for over 1,000 this season and more than 10 touchdowns on the ground. Sawyers has been complimented by Tyrel Dodson, who has run for nearly 500 yards and 10 touchdowns of his own. When Centennial has taken to the air, their leading receivers have been Devious Christmon, who has over 500 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns, and Austin Waddell, who has 250 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. Henry County’s defense has fallen off in recent weeks. After a five-week stretch without giving up a point, the Patriots gave up 27 points to Dickson County and 15 points to Brentwood. Centennial’s run game looks to take advantage of this recently struggling defense.
Both these teams will host a first round playoff game in two weeks, but the regional title and number 1 seed goes to this week’s victor. With the way Centennial has played since their loss to Independence, the Cougars’ momentum should take them into the postseason. After a dominant performance at Rossview, Centennial High looks to be rocking Friday night in one of the midstate’s biggest games during this final week.
