Training Camp Day 12: Centreville Wildcats
CENTREVILLE, VA - When you want to look for the best talent in the Northern Region, go to Centreville. They've produced a whopping 11 Division I players in the past five years and that's not even counting the numerous players who are playing at the Division I-AA level. Yet unfortunately for Centreville, they've been unable to convert that talent into success recently. They haven't made the playoffs in two years and it's been six years since they last won a playoff game.
But don't confuse those statistics with how good Centreville really is. This is one of the most respected programs in the Northern Region, and for good reason. Aside from their ability to produce top-notch talent, they are still the only program to have ever won three straight region titles. Not to mention their winning percentage over the past ten years is an astronomical .770. Needless to say, regardless of the Wildcats recent playoff mishaps, this is a feared team.
How will the resignation of Mike Skinner affect Centreville?
In terms of winning, it won't affect them at all. But in terms of appearance, they'll look completely different. For starters, defensive coordinator Gerry Pannoni is now the head coach while Skinner took his place as the defensive coordinator. Pannoni did a complete overhaul of the offense where he is now instituting a midline option as opposed to running the no-huddle single-wing offense. What we see from Centreville this year will be completely different than in years past.
Who benefits the most from the midline option?
In reality, everyone will benefit from this offense. But the one guy who has to be licking his chops is Andrew Morgan. Morgan is as tough as they come and what he does best is run through defenses like a truck. The midline option will give him that opportunity as he should get plenty of carries through the middle. The more carries Morgan gets, then the better off this offense is.
How will the defense fare with Skinner in charge?
Very well. Skinner at the time of his resignation last year had the highest winning percentage among active coaches. He didn't win so many games by accident either. Skinner knows how to coach and asking him to only focus only on the defense is a huge bonus for that side of the ball. He has top-prospect Darryl Hamilton to work with in the secondary along with Donnell Carpenter and Brett Miller at linebacker. And if there's something the past ten years can teach us about Skinner, it's that he works extremely well when given the talent.
Is this finally the year?
Why not? The talent is certainly there. On defense, there are several standouts, namely Hamilton, who can change the complexion of a game. Then on offense, there's Morgan who is like a high-school version of Mike Alstott. The offensive and defensive lines have the necessary big horses to contend and the coaching is superb. There isn't any real good excuse as to why the Wildcats can't win the district or region title.
Key Match Up
For one Friday night a year 10,000 people flock to go and see Westfield and Centreville square off against each other. This newly born rivalry is already deep-rooted in hate, pranks, and town bragging rights. For Centreville, no game carries as much importance and after losing to them for five consecutive years, they are more than hungry for a win. With this game being played the last game of the season, the winner of this heated rivalry is also receiving a ton of momentum as they head into the playoffs.
Extra Point
While everyone focuses on Skinner stepping down as head coach, the real attention should be turned to Pannoni. Everywhere he's been, he has managed to win. He first inherited an 0-10 Lee team and won a district title with them a few years later. Then at Woodson, a program with no proud history or tradition, he guided them to their first region title. Now Pannoni inherits a program that is renowned for producing the top talent every year. If history serves us right, we can expect Pannoni do some pretty big things with this program.
