Looking Back at the 5A Centennial League in Season A

The 2020 season (Season A) was strange and unusual in many ways, but Colorado’s high school teams made it through. With champions crowned in all classifications and more football in Season C approaching on the horizon, we’re going league-by-league and taking a look back at how things shook out and some of the many football players in Colorado who shined despite having to battle unprecedented and difficult circumstances. Let’s take a look at the 5A Centennial League. <img class="size-medium wp-image-106325 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/5083A824-15F8-4AD7-9406-125A5B997D31.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />What happened in the league in Season A? The Cherry Creek Bruins (9-0) swept Centennial League, finishing with a 6-0 record in the conference. The Bruins went on to dominate the entire 5A classification in route to their second consecutive state championship. Throughout nine games, the Bruins scored 350 points while only allowing 41 points to be scored against them. According to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2021/01/05/high-school-football-rankings-final-national-super-25-2020-season/4138369001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA Today</a>, the Bruins are the 20th-ranked football team in the nation regarding the 2020 fall season. Eaglecrest (4-2) finished in the number-two spot with a 4-1 record in the league, while Cherokee Trail (4-3) came in third with a 3-2 league record. [caption id="attachment_106327" align="alignright" width="200"]<img class="wp-image-106327 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/IMG_3538-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22530" first="Myles" last="Purchase"][/caption] A few players who stood out in Season A <div class="mceTemp"></div> The Centennial League is arguably the toughest conference within the 5A classification, making it no surprise that many of the state’s top talent competed within the league. The league has produced signees to schools like Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Iowa State, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, and many other schools. The conference also showcased the talents of [player_tooltip player_id="22530" first="Myles" last="Purchase"], who finished his high school football career as the state’s player of the year. Purchase’s final year was nothing short of spectacular. The Iowa State commit had six interceptions in four of the season’s nine games, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He also scored two touchdowns on punt returns and a total of four offensive touchdowns in the final two games. Purchase accounted for 48 of his team’s 350 points, scoring at least once in each contest in route to a consecutive state championship. [caption id="attachment_90946" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-90946 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Leslie-Richardson-III-Smoky-Hill3-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="216" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22553" first="Leslie" last="Richardson III"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="22553" first="Leslie" last="Richardson III"] | 2021 | QB | 6’3”, 210 | Smoky Hill Richardson entered his senior season as the returning leader in passing yards and finished as the state’s leading passer with a total of 2,534 yards. He threw 31 touchdowns, the most in the state, and tallied 394 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Richardson is another powerful addition to CSU Pueblo’s stacked 2021 recruiting class. Ezekiel Peirce | 2021 | RB, LB | 5’9”, 202 | Arapahoe Peirce finished second in the league in rushing yards (987) and rushing touchdowns (9) while averaging 141 yards per game. He is a patient runner with fantastic vision, explosive cuts, and great speed. His ability to run through contact is a testament to his strength and determination. Peirce is also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, making him a perfect option in a run-pass balanced offensive scheme. Take a look at Peirce’s highlight tape <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14482011/5fb411cd688fbe0a44f26538" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. [caption id="attachment_80715" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-80715 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Arden-Walker-Cherry-Creek-2-300x294.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="294" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22521" first="Arden" last="Walker"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="22521" first="Arden" last="Walker"] | 2021 | DE | 6’4”, 250 | Cherry Creek One of the more technically sound edge rushers in the state, Walker is electrifying to watch. He totaled 38 tackles, eight sacks, and one pass deflection while helping the Bruins defense establish itself as one of the more dominant defenses in the state. Walker will be attending the University of Missouri to continue his football career in the SEC. Brannon McGowan | 2022 | OL | 6’2”, 265 | Arapahoe McGowan is a versatile athlete who excelled as a left tackle and a right guard. He is quick of the snap and has strong and violent hands, making him an excellent pass and run blocker. He is also athletic and has excellent footwork, which gives him an advantage when blocking in space or downfield. Checkout McGowan’s highlight reel <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EvADB">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="22559" first="James" last="Walker II"] | 2021 | 5’10” | Cherry Creek The recent CSU Pueblo commit led the league in rushing yards (1,121) and averaged 124.6 yards per game. Walker also tied for the most rushing touchdowns (11) in the league. His explosiveness, formidable running skills, and blocking abilities made him an invaluable part of a championship team. [caption id="attachment_90847" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-90847 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Anthony-Harris-Jr.-Smoky-Hill3-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="283" /> Anthony Harris Jr.[/caption] Anthony Harris Jr. | 2021 | WR | 6’5” | Smoky Hill Harris Jr. finished the season as the state’s leading receiver in yards (866) and touchdowns (15) off 44 receptions. He can stretch the field with his incredibly long strides, and his height makes him a perfect passing target. His ball-tracking skills, athleticism, and strong hands make him borderline impossible to guard. In addition to being a gridiron standout, Harris Jr. is also a stud on the hardwood as a basketball player. Watch Harris Jr.’s highlights over the first three games of the season <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14318624/5fce7c684df52e071056e43d">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="22674" first="Kaden" last="Weatherby"] | 2022 | OL, DL | 6’6”, 270 | Eaglecrest Weatherby is a big, strong, and extremely talented offensive lineman. He has violent hands and quick feet that help him win just about every rep. Weatherby is also explosive off the line, making him a nightmare when he pulls from his left tackle position. As a run blocker, he quickly moves the defensive linemen to create a hole as he moves to the second level and drives the next defender out of the play. Few players can make playing in the trenches look easy in this league; Weatherby is definitely one of them, just take a look at his <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egqum">highlight tape</a>. [caption id="attachment_52147" align="alignright" width="242"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-52147" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/B9D7C8C6-762C-402D-AE4C-60DAF786125B-242x300.jpeg" alt="" width="242" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22732" first="Kahden" last="Rullo"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="22732" first="Kahden" last="Rullo"] | 2022 | DB | 6’1”, 180 | Grandview Rullo tied for the most interceptions (6) in the league, one away from being tied as the state’s leader for picks. In the first game of the season, he scored a touchdown off an interception and another off a fumble recovery he caused. He also scored a touchdown during a punt return in the final game of the season. Rullo scored 20 points for his team, none of which were on offense, while also tallying a total of 34 tackles. Take a look at Rullo’s highlight reel <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5548273/5fc94ffe1762381308f5b9d2">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="63943" first="Moosah" last="Alsaffar"] | 2022 | RB | 5’9” | Grandview Alsaffar exploded onto the scene with his powerful running abilities and finished the season as the league’s third-leading rusher. He is a one-cut-and-go type of back who will put his foot in the ground and run through a hole. His ability to run through contact is fitting to his playing style. Alsaffar ran for a total of 746 yards and six touchdowns off of 126 carries, bringing his rushing yard average to 106.6 yards per game. You can find Alsaffar’s film clips <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/5409179/Moosah-Alsaffar/highlights">here</a>. A quick look to 2021… Cherry Creek has established itself as a powerhouse program with a revolving door of talent. The Bruins will be looking to pick up where they left off, but they will have some stiff competition at their heels. Grandview and Arapahoe are two teams who will be returning a significant amount of star talent next season. Eaglecrest, Cherokee Trail, and Smoky Hill will be losing quite a few more seniors, so they will be relying on their returners and underclassmen to fill those shoes.