Saturday, 7:30
Centennial Huskies 14-1, Corona, CA
vs
IMG Academy Ascenders 9-0, Bradenton, FL
Centennial is notorious as a fast, up tempo team that some say fielded their best team ever last year, averaging 54ppg and allowing 20. Whatever it is is working well with 15 league titles and 10 CIF Southern Section championships the last 20 years. Three key players who fueled the offense graduated; quarterback Anthony Catalano (5-10, 175, 64%, 2962, 31/5), running-back JJ Taylor (5-6, 170, 231/2149ry, 19/212py) and wide out Javon McKinley (6-2, 205, 56/1185). Defensively they lost at least 8 starters and many backups who totaled 579 tackles; 44 stops from the 2 DTs spots, 344 tackles from the linebacking corps and 191 from the secondary. After defeating teams like East (11-2) from Salt Lake City, who went on to win the 4A title (runner up in 2013, 2011) and southern California powers Serra (9-3), Orange Lutheran (6-6), Mater Dei (10-3) and St. John Bosco (13-1), they lost in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game to the Northern California representative De La Salle (13-1), 28-21. That was with an undersized team that had tremendous speed. But regardless of graduation losses, with all the blowouts, backups got significant playing time. Chief among that group was quarterback Tanner McGee (6-6, 210), who as a sophomore played in most games, completing 50 of 74 tosses for 710 yards! He had 9 touchdown passes with no interceptions. One of the top stories of the off-season as of Feb 2016 is the transfer of one of the highest rated receivers in the country in Tyjon Lindsey (5-9, 175, sr) from last year’s USA-Today top ranked Bishop Gorman-NV (15-0) to Centennial. Wow! With 1126 yards on 48 receptions, he is rated by 247 Sports as the 16th overall recruit for the Class of 2017. Running back Miles Reed (5-9, 190, sr) is back after gaining 546 yards on 92 carries plus 3 receivers with 57 receptions for 935 yards. Defensively, the DL anchor returns in Seleti Fevaleaki (6-2, 260, jr) with 27 tackles and Noah Anthony (5-11, 245, sr) with 22. Reggie Whitfield (5-11, 160, sr) returns to the secondary with 50 tackles joined by 3 subs while linebacker Cameron Pitcher (6-0, 205, jr) returns with 38 supported by 3 back ups. So while some of the losses are significant, the returns are impressive. And talk about tradition. Their won-loss over the last 10 years is 128-18, a winning percentage of 88. With a record like that the game with IMG shapes up as one heck of a lid lifter! And with Centennial’s deep tradition and talent, they should be a challenging match for the Ascenders.
International Management Group Academy. They may be better known as IMG Academy but we may as well lay it out there to convey the full corporate impact. Afterall, we’re talking about a school that features the corporate logo on their jerseys. Ok, got that out of the way.
Speaking of setting the record straight; their record last year was 9-1 if you go by Florida standards where they take their preseason games seriously, tho not officially. The Kick-Off Classic with American Heritage (Plantation, just west of Lauderdale) was a full clock, contact game with starters in to the end. American Heritage won 19-7. With a narrow loss to Hallandale 27-20 in the 5A semifinal and earlier to Dematha 23-22, they are one of the top programs in the state and beyond, and should serve as proof that IMG while formidable with myriad advantages is not invinsible. Last year’s team dominated all except the Jersey teams, beating Bergen Catholic in a wild one, 59-47, Paramus Catholic 28-20 and St. Joseph Regional 24-12. Then again, the fact that the only schools to give them a game were some of north Jersey’s finest provate schools is sobering. Pretty awesome football up there, way up there above the tunnels. Don Bosco Prep is also up there in Ramsey making it a unique setting and as fine a collection of power house teams as you’ll find anywhere in the counrtry in so confined a space although you would get a good argument from Cincinnati’s teams.
About the team, the offense was substantial, averaging 42ppg discounting the 2-0 forfeit to Triple A Academy and the “classic” with American Heritage. They allowed 18 on defense. Highly rated quarterback Shea Patterson has moved on to Ole Miss with a full ride after completing 78 of 129 passes for 1533 yards. Many services had him rated the top QB in the country. His Td/Pick ratio was 18-4. Running back Tony Jones (5-11, 195) will carry on at Notre Dame after rushing for 514 yards. 247 Sports tagged Isaac Nauta (6-5, 240, 13/230) the top tight end in the country. He’s at Georgia. Wide out Drake Davis (6-4, 225, 11/431!) will go to Ole Miss, Tex A&M or his home state LSU. OG Tyler Gerald (6-5, 305) graduated to Ohio State. The list is unending
As always with the blowouts backups got playing time. Quarterback Louis Colosimo (6-0, 180, sr) was last year’s #2 with Bryson Lucero (6-2, 200, soph) also playing. Jordan Anthony (6-1, 220, sr, 43/241) returns at running back. The receiver corps was wiped out with 5 graduating representing 1236 yards on 68 receptions.
Defensively, many of the starters graduated; 4 from the DL (averaged 6-3, 273) representing 98 tackles, 3 LBs (averaged 6-3, 230) with 209 stops and the secondary with 208 tackles. But a number of co-starterts return; MLB Chris Pluchino (6-2, 235, sr, 53 tackles), with DEs Josh Kaindoh (6-6, 250, sr, 48 tackles, 4 sacks) and Jack Camper (6-5, 240, sr) with 22 tackles and 5 sacks. DLs Cam Spence (6-3, 310, sr, 17 stops) and Gabe Jimenez (6-1, 255, sr, 12 stops) are back. Elvis Hines (5-10, 170, sr, 28 tackles) returns at one of the corners. Bottom line, who knows who transferred in or out as things are often in a state of flux at IMG.
Centennial Huskies 14-1, Corona, CA
vs
IMG Academy Ascenders 9-0, Bradenton, FL
Centennial is notorious as a fast, up tempo team that some say fielded their best team ever last year, averaging 54ppg and allowing 20. Whatever it is is working well with 15 league titles and 10 CIF Southern Section championships the last 20 years. Three key players who fueled the offense graduated; quarterback Anthony Catalano (5-10, 175, 64%, 2962, 31/5), running-back JJ Taylor (5-6, 170, 231/2149ry, 19/212py) and wide out Javon McKinley (6-2, 205, 56/1185). Defensively they lost at least 8 starters and many backups who totaled 579 tackles; 44 stops from the 2 DTs spots, 344 tackles from the linebacking corps and 191 from the secondary. After defeating teams like East (11-2) from Salt Lake City, who went on to win the 4A title (runner up in 2013, 2011) and southern California powers Serra (9-3), Orange Lutheran (6-6), Mater Dei (10-3) and St. John Bosco (13-1), they lost in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game to the Northern California representative De La Salle (13-1), 28-21. That was with an undersized team that had tremendous speed. But regardless of graduation losses, with all the blowouts, backups got significant playing time. Chief among that group was quarterback Tanner McGee (6-6, 210), who as a sophomore played in most games, completing 50 of 74 tosses for 710 yards! He had 9 touchdown passes with no interceptions. One of the top stories of the off-season as of Feb 2016 is the transfer of one of the highest rated receivers in the country in Tyjon Lindsey (5-9, 175, sr) from last year’s USA-Today top ranked Bishop Gorman-NV (15-0) to Centennial. Wow! With 1126 yards on 48 receptions, he is rated by 247 Sports as the 16th overall recruit for the Class of 2017. Running back Miles Reed (5-9, 190, sr) is back after gaining 546 yards on 92 carries plus 3 receivers with 57 receptions for 935 yards. Defensively, the DL anchor returns in Seleti Fevaleaki (6-2, 260, jr) with 27 tackles and Noah Anthony (5-11, 245, sr) with 22. Reggie Whitfield (5-11, 160, sr) returns to the secondary with 50 tackles joined by 3 subs while linebacker Cameron Pitcher (6-0, 205, jr) returns with 38 supported by 3 back ups. So while some of the losses are significant, the returns are impressive. And talk about tradition. Their won-loss over the last 10 years is 128-18, a winning percentage of 88. With a record like that the game with IMG shapes up as one heck of a lid lifter! And with Centennial’s deep tradition and talent, they should be a challenging match for the Ascenders.
International Management Group Academy. They may be better known as IMG Academy but we may as well lay it out there to convey the full corporate impact. Afterall, we’re talking about a school that features the corporate logo on their jerseys. Ok, got that out of the way.
Speaking of setting the record straight; their record last year was 9-1 if you go by Florida standards where they take their preseason games seriously, tho not officially. The Kick-Off Classic with American Heritage (Plantation, just west of Lauderdale) was a full clock, contact game with starters in to the end. American Heritage won 19-7. With a narrow loss to Hallandale 27-20 in the 5A semifinal and earlier to Dematha 23-22, they are one of the top programs in the state and beyond, and should serve as proof that IMG while formidable with myriad advantages is not invinsible. Last year’s team dominated all except the Jersey teams, beating Bergen Catholic in a wild one, 59-47, Paramus Catholic 28-20 and St. Joseph Regional 24-12. Then again, the fact that the only schools to give them a game were some of north Jersey’s finest provate schools is sobering. Pretty awesome football up there, way up there above the tunnels. Don Bosco Prep is also up there in Ramsey making it a unique setting and as fine a collection of power house teams as you’ll find anywhere in the counrtry in so confined a space although you would get a good argument from Cincinnati’s teams.
About the team, the offense was substantial, averaging 42ppg discounting the 2-0 forfeit to Triple A Academy and the “classic” with American Heritage. They allowed 18 on defense. Highly rated quarterback Shea Patterson has moved on to Ole Miss with a full ride after completing 78 of 129 passes for 1533 yards. Many services had him rated the top QB in the country. His Td/Pick ratio was 18-4. Running back Tony Jones (5-11, 195) will carry on at Notre Dame after rushing for 514 yards. 247 Sports tagged Isaac Nauta (6-5, 240, 13/230) the top tight end in the country. He’s at Georgia. Wide out Drake Davis (6-4, 225, 11/431!) will go to Ole Miss, Tex A&M or his home state LSU. OG Tyler Gerald (6-5, 305) graduated to Ohio State. The list is unending
As always with the blowouts backups got playing time. Quarterback Louis Colosimo (6-0, 180, sr) was last year’s #2 with Bryson Lucero (6-2, 200, soph) also playing. Jordan Anthony (6-1, 220, sr, 43/241) returns at running back. The receiver corps was wiped out with 5 graduating representing 1236 yards on 68 receptions.
Defensively, many of the starters graduated; 4 from the DL (averaged 6-3, 273) representing 98 tackles, 3 LBs (averaged 6-3, 230) with 209 stops and the secondary with 208 tackles. But a number of co-starterts return; MLB Chris Pluchino (6-2, 235, sr, 53 tackles), with DEs Josh Kaindoh (6-6, 250, sr, 48 tackles, 4 sacks) and Jack Camper (6-5, 240, sr) with 22 tackles and 5 sacks. DLs Cam Spence (6-3, 310, sr, 17 stops) and Gabe Jimenez (6-1, 255, sr, 12 stops) are back. Elvis Hines (5-10, 170, sr, 28 tackles) returns at one of the corners. Bottom line, who knows who transferred in or out as things are often in a state of flux at IMG.
