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Centralia panthers
The Centralia Panthers head into their fourth season under Head Coach Tyler Forsee in hopes of building off last years’ 7-3 record. Coach expressed his gratitude for the seniors exclaiming, “I was proud of our senior group as they did a great job of leading and bringing the physicality that you need to be successful. Though our season ended earlier than I would have liked, I was proud of how our team gained a lot of depth and experience with our younger players as the season went on to help.” Although the Panthers lost a great group, they return 23 lettermen including 10 starters for the upcoming season. At the helm and going into his senior season, Cullen Bennett (6’2, 195) looks to surpass last season’s impressive 1,045 yards through the air and 384 yards on the ground. The All-State punter totaled fourteen touchdowns with twelve coming through the air. Coming back for his junior year, Jesse Caballero (5’7, 165) looks to play an even bigger role this season expected to go both ways which isn’t an issue as coach says Caballero’s “one of the more explosive players I’ve coached.” Cayden Dunn (6’0, 165) and Beau Hatton (5’10, 155)
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Class: TBA
Conference: Clarence Cannon
Head Coach: Tyler Forsee Years at School: 4
Record at School: 21-10
Overall Record: 21-10
Offensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Total Returning Lettermen: 23
2022 Overall Record: 7-3
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are both expected to play both sides of the ball their senior year, the pair combined for 5 touchdown receptions and 90 tackles. Breylen Whisler (6’0, 150) returns for his junior season hoping to add onto last season’s two interceptions. Mattie Robinson (5’10, 150) suits up for his senior year at receiver looking to be a big impact in the spread offense. Cade Smith (6’0, 245) and Hank Barnes (5’9, 270) are returning to the defensive side of the trenches for their senior year. Ian Tuggle (6’1, 210) heads into his junior year and first year on varsity hoping to add depth to that Panther front. Wyatt Bryson (5’9, 170) and Ben Romine (5’9, 175) are wearing the var sity threads at backer hoping to brick wall offenses. The seniors will have to be vocal and resilient even though they’ve had little varsity experience. Logan Rosenfeider (6’2, 160) is only a junior, yet he’s the tallest receiver on this Panther squad. Dreyden Conde (5’8, 165) and Rex Bryson (5’8, 160) are moving up as sophomores with a chip on their shoulder looking to prove to Coach Forsee why they should see more reps. Reps will be tough to come by, especially with so many returning players, even coach said, “Our main strength on the offensive side will be having the experience that we have returning in our skill positions. We return several guys who played on Friday night and contributed throughout the season. Our receivers have a lot of experience in Mattie Robinson, Cayden Dunn, Beau Hatton, Logan Rosenfelder, and Breylen Whisler
(Who played well at running back last season). Running the ball with be Jesse Caballero who had some explosive plays last season and has looked good this summer. Splitting time with him will be Drayden Conde who is a sophomore, but brings a lot of talent and physicality at the running back position. At QB, having Cullen Bennett back will be huge. He has worked hard this offseason and is a great leader for our team.” Even though the Panthers sported a spread offense, they still figured out a way to average 217 yards per game on the ground last season. For that, you can’t thank anyone before you thank the guys up front. They’re where the game is won and lost. On the O-Line, the Panthers don’t return any starters since the loss of Ryan Redington to an injury in the off-season, but coach is confident the players will step up. “We have some guys who I think will be ready to go when the season begins. Guys who have had time on the defensive line and guys who have had success in wrestling and in other sports.” The Panthers will have a few questions to answer in their front seven to minimize last year’s 200 yards per game on the ground they allowed, which made them rely on defensive backs to come up and make tackles. Coach says having several wrestlers in his front seven and great coaching from his staff are getting the boys ready for this fall. “High expectations for this group as they have high expectations in themselves. I know our guys are ready to compete to test themselves against a couple of tough teams.”
