No. 13 Corona Centennial

Centennial has emerged as the top program in Southern California and in 2011 it has the horses to have another outstanding season.

The Huskies have dealt tremendously well with replacing skill players over the last four seasons. Breaking in brand new linemen has been more difficult.

This season, Centennial returns six of eight starting linemen on offense and defense combined, giving head coach Matt Logan an outstanding foundation upon which to reconstruct his team's high-powered offense.

Quarterback Hayden Gavett will take the place of Michael Eubank behind center. He's unproven, but Logan likes his potential. Romello Goodman, who accrued nearly 1,200 rushing yards last season, should blossom into a star this year.

Defensively, Milo Jordan and Ngata Tuihalamaka will be strong on the defensive line. The linebackers will be mostly new, but the Huskies' secondary returns Izaac Colunga, a diminutive playmaker at corner. Transfers Van Dennis and Daniel Mendoza will add depth to the unit.

Centennial lacks the blue-chip recruit they've had in past seasons, but that shouldn't slow them down. Their line play will be excellent from the start. If the skill players, especially the wide receivers, come to play against St. Bonaventure, the Huskies will start the reason with a huge win that will be the first of many in 2011.

Local look: "Centennial has really set the standard for excellence in being able to run and pass the ball. That kind of balance has made it very difficult for opponents. This fall, Centennial's offensive and defensive lines should be strengths, which will give time to develop new skill-position players. They start out as unknown and by the end of the season, they have stats that are mind-boggling."
- Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times

Continue to School Profile
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School size: Division I


Enrollment: 2,900 (approx.)


2010 finish: 14-1, Division I CIF Bowl Game finalist


Head coach: Matt Logan


Career record: 147-35


Years at school: 14


Notable players coached:
RB Terrell Johnson (Oregon, UTEP)
QB Taylor Martinez (Nebraska)
LB Vontaze Burfict (Arizona State)
QB Michael Eubank (Arizona State)

Continue to Key Returners
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No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 4 (defense)

Key losses:
QB Michael Eubank
RB Barrinton Collins
WR Larry Scott

Key returners:
DL Milo Jordan
OL Lio Lafaele
OL Cameron Hunt
OL John Hamilton
RB Romello Goodman

Key newcomers:
QB Hayden Gavett
DB Daniel Mendoza
WR Isaac Crandall




Continue to Season Outlook
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Toughest game: St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.). St. Bonaventure could be the best team in the Marmonte League this season and will definitely test Centennial early on.

Question mark: How well can Hayden Gavett step in for Michael Eubank, and who will he throw to?

Local outlook: Southern California lacks truly elite teams right now, though several certainly have the potential to evolve into that as the season plays out. In addition to Centennial and Oaks Christian, other teams to watch include Mission Viejo, Bishop Amat, St. Bonaventure, Servite and Long Beach Poly.

Overall outlook: Centennial's season will hinge upon the maturation of its skill players. The defense should be strong. If Gavett can take command of the offense, the Huskies will be extremely difficult to slow down on offense.

Coach quote: "The difference between us this year is that we don't have the major Division I recruit, but we've got a lot of good, good high school players. We feel like our depth is gonna be unbelievable, and I think that's unusual for us."
- Matt Logan

Continue to Video of Returning Players
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