League Preview 2020: Centennial League Seniors
The last time a Centennial League team won a State Championship in football was in 2008. During that 2008 campaign, Junction City won the 6A title and Hayden won the 4A championship. With several 6A and 5A schools canceling their…
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Continue ReadingThe last time a Centennial League team won a State Championship in football was in 2008. During that 2008 campaign, Junction City won the 6A title and Hayden won the 4A championship.
With several 6A and 5A schools canceling their fall seasons it will still be determined whether or not there will be state playoffs and how many teams will compete.
The Centennial has multiple schools that could contend for 5A and 6A titles. Here is a look at some of the top talent for those schools in the Class of 2021.
DL, Damian Ilalio Damian Ilalio 6'2" | 250 lbs | DL Manhattan | 2021 State KS , 5’11”, 176, Manhattan (Ranked No. 7) – Ilalio has already verbally committed to Kansas State University. He is an extremely talented defensive player and will lead the Indians defense in 2020. Football fans in Manhattan will be hoping to watch Ilalio’s senior season with the Indians and many seasons to come in a Wildcats jersey.
QB, Dayne Aschenbrenner, 5’10”, 185, Manhattan (Ranked No. 46) – Aschenbrenner is a dual-threat quarterback. He runs a 4.6 forty and has a big throwing arm. Depending on what programs recruit him he could play quarterback at the next level or move to defensive back or wideout. Aschenbrenner also excels in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA.
WR, Malik Benson Malik Benson 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Lansing | 2021 State KS , 6’0”, 185, Topeka High (Ranked No. 51) – Williams was an honorable mention all-state player in 2019 for Class 6A. He will be playing under a new coach in 2020. He has solid hands and runs good routes.
QB, Andrew Khoury Andrew Khoury 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Junction City | 2021 State KS , 6’1”, 180, Junction City (Ranked No. 54) – Khoury is an explosive athlete. He can play quarterback or running back. He can throw the ball deep and is an experienced offensive leader for the Blue Jays.
RB, Russell Wilkey Russell Wilkey 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Junction City | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, 165, Junction City (Ranked No. 101) – Wilkey had over 1,300 total yards of offense and scored 17 touchdowns in 2019. He has been a starter for his entire high school career and runs a 4.5 forty. Wilkey and Khoury combine to be a two-headed monster for the Junction City offense.
Other Centennial League players to follow in 2021 include ATH, Ty’Zhaun Jackson Ty’Zhaun Jackson 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH Manhattan | 2021 State KS , Manhattan (No. 65); DE/TE, Charles Snyder Charles Snyder 6'4" | 200 lbs | TE Emporia | 2021 State KS , Emporia (No. 102); LB, Will DeVader Will DeVader 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Hayden | 2021 State KS , Hayden (No. 103), WR, Brayden Zirkle Brayden Zirkle 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Shawnee Heights | 2021 KS , Shawnee Heights (No. 127); DL, Jayden Rainer Jayden Rainer 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Hayden | 2021 State KS , Hayden (No. 131); LB, Jordan Rainer Jordan Rainer 6'4" | 200 lbs | LB Hayden | 2021 State KS , Hayden (No. 140); ATH, Tre’Vion Pepper Tre’Vion Pepper 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH HIghland Park | 2021 KS , Highland Park (No. 181); DL Brett Ashwill Brett Ashwill 6'0" | 245 lbs | DL Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS , Washburn Rural, (No. 183); and OL, Ewan Mills Ewan Mills 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Seaman | 2021 State KS , Seaman (No. 197).