High School Team Preview: Cleveland Central

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> Beginning their program in 2017, Cleveland Central has done a good job at building with the players they have had available. It is always a challenge for newer teams to find success early, but this season could be the first big break through for the Wolves. Under the leadership of head coach Jay Jones, this is a team hungry to make a name for themselves in 5A this year. <em><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></em> COVID-19 absolutely wrecked Cleveland Central’s 2020 season. Four games were not played due to the virus, and the Wolves finished with a record of 4-7. Even the team’s first playoff appearance in school history was ruined due to forfeit. That all being said, this is a team that reloads well for what should be a normal 2021 season. On the offensive side of the ball, this is a team that loves to come out in two tight end sets and run the football down people’s throats. With an offensive line weighing a collective average of over 1600 pounds, this seems to be a pretty good strategy for moving the football consistently. Mammoth bookend tackles [player_tooltip player_id="104401" first="Christopher" last="Lanney"] and [player_tooltip player_id="104391" first="Markel" last="Bell"] lead the charge for this unit, and both can pass protect exceptionally well too. Bell, a senior, has had his talents noticed by local community colleges, as well as Delta State and Eastern Kentucky. At running back, <strong>Jamarion White’s </strong>job has been made easy. The big holes upfront allow the quick back to make a decision and use his speed to scamper for a first down or touchdown. Senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174924" first="Jaryn" last="Kelly"] </strong>will look to give this team an advantage in the air this season. Kelly started last season for the Wolves and operates well off of play action and in the open field. This offense is set up to grind teams out and make them tired, then take shots downfield to their athletic playmakers. They will need this approach for their new region this season. Defensively, Cleveland Central returns a lot of key talent in the front seven and secondary. Junior defensive back <strong>Jaylen McRoy</strong> had himself a breakout season as a sophomore and will look to make the same kinds of plays this year. McRoy has great anticipation for the football and will be put on an island this year. Alongside him, senior defensive back<strong> Kobi Smith </strong>brings a physical presence to the secondary and is a force when he’s put in the box. Similar to the offensive line, this defensive line isn’t small either. All the down lineman have great size and are hard for offensive lineman to move. Overall, this was a talented young unit last year that will look to make the jump to being an elite unit in the region. <em><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></em> <strong>Manny Tyler</strong> | 2022 ATH Tyler is the go-to playmaker for Cleveland Central. The Wolves coaching staff line him up all over the field, taking snaps at wide out and running back to allow him to make plays in the open field. As a receiver, Tyler has great foot quickness and runs routes well. He is a threat in the play action game to take it to the house every time. Tyler can make opposing defenders miss with his fluid juke moves and change of direction. As a back, Tyler has the same kind of game. He finds seams in the defense and can take off. This is a college level player that Cleveland Central will depend on heavily this season. Look for him to be one of the leading scorers for this offense. <strong>Khalil Estrada</strong> | 2022 DL Estrada is one of the big time lineman that the Wolves will depend on this season. He stands at 6’3" 205 and is one of the prototypical hyper-athletic lineman that coaches love. Estrada has great burst off the line of scrimmage and can quickly get into opposing teams backfields. He is a force against the run and uses his speed and power to blow up lineman to find the back. Estrada also has the versatility to take his hand out of the dirt and play outside backer. He shows great speed on chase downs and is in on every play. Watch for coaches to start taking notice of him during his senior season. Big time upside here. <em><strong>MORE NAMES</strong></em> <strong>JaCorey Jones</strong> | 2023 DB Physical defensive back who played well as a sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155990" first="Nicholas" last="Taylor"]</strong> | 2023 WR Explosive in the return game. <strong>Deshawn Palmer</strong> | 2023 DL Big defensive lineman who played as a sophomore. Looking for him to make the jump this season. <em><strong>GAMES TO WATCH</strong></em> <strong>8/20 Holmes County Central (H)</strong> - Cleveland Central kicks the season off at home with one of the most talented teams in 5A. Will be a physical match up with a ton of talented players on the field at once. <strong>9/3 Hernando (A)</strong> - Cleveland Central lost a close game last season at home 21-19. The Wolves will look for revenge on the road in a heavily contested region game. <strong>10/22 Lafayette (H)</strong> - This game will have a ton of offensive and defensive line talent. Will be won in the trenches. Key region game.