CRUSADERS CENTRAL CRUSADERS 2C — The Newnan Times-Herald | Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Changing of the guard: Farlow lights the way for Central By DOUG GORMAN dgorman@newnan.com There been might have been a changing of the guard with the Central Christian football team, but new head coach Joey Farlow said he doesn’t expect the Crusaders to miss a beat. Central has been one of Georg ia’s most dom i nating teams in eight-man football over the past few years, thanks to long-time coach Paul Frantz. Last season, Frantz guided the Crusaders to the GICAA state title game, where they lost to Lafayette Christian 12-1 in league championship. It was a rematch of the regular-season game, won by Central in overtime. Frantz turned control of the football team over to Farlow, who has served as an assistant coach for several years. A f irst-year head coach isn’t the only new thing going for the Crusaders. Lights have been installed on campus, which will allow Central to play home games on campus for the first time. The Crusaders will christen their home stadium on Friday, Aug. 19, against People Baptist from McDonough. “It’s been a work in progress,” said athletic director Justin Stephens. “We are all really excited about the chance to really play at home.” One of Farlow’s first duties as head coach is finding a quarterback to replace his son Jared, who put up impressive numbers and is now a freshman at Ole Miss. Farlow is excited about the opening game. “That will be pretty neat to be able to finally play here,” he said. “The school has put in a lot of money recently, not just the lights, but in the gym. They have put down a new
basketball floor.” In addition to replacing his son at quarterback, Farlow also has to fill vacancies left by JaQuez Blackmon, Bailey Todd, Colt Dooley, Jesse Parkinson, Caleb London and Jordan Fuller. Farlow expects only 15 to 16 players to dress out this season, but what the squad lacks in numbers, it makes up for in talent and effort. “We have had fewer players in the past and gone deep into the playoffs,” Farlow said. Several positions are up for grabs on this team, but junior Caleb Ruck should get the bulk of the snaps at quarterback. Also, among the players expected to contend for playing time at running back are sophomore Chris Nugent and junior Dustin Terrell. Sophomore Zach Obe could play as many as three spots for the Crusaders, including backing up at quarterback, playing tight end and linebacker on defense. O n t he of fen sive l i ne , junior A.J. Whiteside returns to the team and will start at center. Right guard McKinley Reese returns for his senior year at right guard. Newcomer Aaron Fuller will also play somewhere on the offensive line. At 6-2, and almost 300 pounds, Fuller brings plenty of height and size to the Crusaders. First-year player Josh London could line up in a number of positions for Central. Eighth-graders are eligible to play on the varsity in the GICAA, so Cody Earl is expected to see playing time somewhere in the Crusaders’ lineup. “He has played a lot of little league football, and we think he will turn into a really good player for us. We aren’t sure just where he is going to play yet, but we will get him on the field.”
2016 Central Christian Crusaders Schedule Aug. 19 People’s Baptist 7:30 Aug. 26 at Appling Christian 7:30 Sept. 2 Lafayette Christian School 7:30 Sept. 9 Solid Rock Christian 7:30 Sept. 16 at Holy Ground 7:30 Sept. 30 at Colonial Hills 7:30 Oct. 7 at New Creation Academy 7:30 Oct. 14 at Ballard Christian 7:30 Oct. 21 Hearts Academy 7:30 Oct. 28 at Grace Christian 7:30
Postseason Nov. 4 First Round TBA Nov. 11 Second Round TBA Nov. 18 GICAA State Finals TBA
Fa rlow l i ke s h av i n g yo u n g e r pl a ye r s i n t h e program. “It’s good for the future,” Farlow said. “We need to keep feeding the program.” First-year player Danny Terrell is expected to see playing time at a number of positions. Ju n ior M a rcelu s Gi le s returns at tight end but could also see time at fullback. Alex Nugent will play fullback on offense and at outside linebacker on defense. Liam Clayton will play tight end on offense and cornerback on defense for the Crusaders. Shaquan Parson has been home-schooled i n recent years but has enrolled at Central for the upcoming season. He will play running back on offense and safety on defense. Farlow knows he is taking over a program with plenty of tradition. “Paul left this program in a
good way,” Farlow said. “He did a lot to build this football program. I have big shoes to fill with him.” Farlow reached back into the past and brought on some former players as assistant coaches. Austin Stover and Jesse Parkinson are part of this year’s coaching staff. “Jesse will be running the defense. He played under Coach Frantz since the seventh grade and knows Paul’s defensive scheme very well. We are going to run basically the same system on defense with a few twists added.” Other spots will be finalized over the coming days. “We have some new guys out for the first time, so we are not even sure where they might play.” Among the teams on the schedule this year are three eight-man powers in Holy Ground, Lafayette, and Colonial Hills.
* All home games to take place on Central Christian Campus
Central Roster Zack Obi Marcelus Giles Caleb Ruck McKinley Reese Cody Earle Shaquan Parsons Dustin Terell Daniel Terell AJ Whiteside Josh London Chris Nuggett Alex Nuggett Aaron Fuller Liam Clayton Nathan Matthews Jesse Gerken
Jr Jr Jr Sr 8th Fr Soph 8th Jr Soph Jr Jr Jr Jr Fr 8th
*Jerseys numbers were not assigned to players at the time of publication.