Spring Game: Centennial vs. Riverdale Notes & Recap

Friday night football is back, well kind of as Centennial hosted Riverdale for their spring game and it was a great opportunity for both teams to compete against each other to see where they stand headed into the summer. The game was a bit delayed due to weather but after things cleared up, both teams hit the field and immediately brought fireworks as both the Cougars and Warriors offense scored on their opening offensive drives. Led by junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="119096" first="Braden" last="Graham"], the Warriors offense looked good early, striking on their 2nd play from scrimmage with a nice, crisp pass from Graham to junior [player_tooltip player_id="286599" first="Keshawn" last="Williams"] and the two-way talent did the rest, racing past defenders towards the end zone. Centennial basically did the same as they hit the Warriors defense fast, moving quickly down the field till senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="147570" first="Brendan" last="Jones"] found an open receiver running deep for the score. After feeling each other out early on, the home Cougars started to feel comfortable and began to take over. Despite a long run to the end zone by Riverdale junior running back [player_tooltip player_id="342016" first="Isaiah" last="Verser"], Centennial’s defense played tough, putting pressure on the quarterback and consistently working in the backfield. Junior defensive tackle Keegen Scruggs was a force that the Warriors offensive line could not handle. He produced several tackles for loss and when he did not make the tackle, Scruggs was there on the spot, helping others make the stop. While the game wasn’t official and nobody was really paying attention to a final score but unofficially, the home Cougars won the game by scoring one more touchdown than Riverdale and it’s a surprising outcome as the Warriors are expected to be Class 6A title contenders this Fall season and I still think they will be. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-339479" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_193014-crop-2764x1815-1652505384-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Riverdale does have some work to do as they struggled up front on Friday night while also allowing several big plays in the passing game to a young but energetic Cougars offense. The Warriors have some dudes and future college prospects in the likes of Graham, the #1 player in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="102249" first="Caleb" last="Herring"], stud defensive end Issac Oglesby and several top level defensive backs but they must come together as a team before the start of the season, if they want to compete for titles. Centennial on the other hand is playing with house money this year as nobody expects the Cougars to be legit but let me tell you they have some talented prospects, especially the junior class that will help carry this team and surprise many this Fall. Overall, this was great for both teams to see who they are right now and what areas need more work and improvement over the summer months before we officially get started in August. Both teams had shining moments and struggles but both Riverdale and Centennial should be strong, competitive teams this year that should be competing in postseason football, especially the Warriors who are top contenders in the Class 6A ranks. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_190710-crop-2764x1815-1652505830.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-339483" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_190710-crop-2764x1815-1652505830-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Prospect Notes - Riverdale finally has a gunslinger in [player_tooltip player_id="119096" first="Braden" last="Graham"] that can not only put up strong numbers in the passing game but also be that strong leader that can push the Warriors to a possible state title. Holding offers already from the likes of Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss and others, Graham has some of the best mechanics you will find in the 2024 class along with a nice, thick frame that can stand up well on the next level. It’s still a learning transition for Graham at Riverdale, after transferring from Lipscomb Academy but in time, he will get his offense to gel and become a force that opposing defenses hate playing. - Centennial had a balanced offense on Friday night not only showing strength in the passing game but a solid one-two punch at running back in senior Zavion Haddox and junior [player_tooltip player_id="149149" first="Taner" last="Lee"]. Both backs are well built physically and showed the ability to hit the hole and find the open field quickly. Lee is a guy to watch over the next two years as he showed me good upside and someone that has the makeup of a future college player. - Headed into the Fall season, Riverdale sports possibly the best combo edge defenders in the state with Power Five star [player_tooltip player_id="102249" first="Caleb" last="Herring"] manning one side and underrated, physical competitor [player_tooltip player_id="157393" first="Isaac" last="Oglesby"] holding down the other side. Making that statement above is very true but on Friday evening at Centennial, these two didn’t flash that much nor make many plays. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_182854-crop-2764x1815-1652505919.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-339485" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_182854-crop-2764x1815-1652505919-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Now the Cougars offense did design several plays away from Herring, trying to keep him out of the action but that meant more chances for Oglesby to make plays and that didn’t happen. There is no need to worry as it’s spring time, which is an area to learn and improve and I fully expect both Herring and Oglesby to be major forces on the Warriors defense this year. - This coming Fall season could be interesting for the Centennial Cougars as they might surprise and win more games than people think or because they reside within a strong division inside Class 6A, they may struggle a bit but they have some talent down in Franklin now that could help turn the corner. The Cougars junior class is quite talented with multiple guys marked for key starting roles this Fall and a few that will be playing college ball one day. Among those names who starred on Friday night and those to know going forward include (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="150300" first="Kofi" last="Boggs"], (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="316773" first="Dominic" last="Reed"], (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="277761" first="D.J." last="Curll"], (DT) Keegen Scruggs, (WR) Jayden George, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="149149" first="Taner" last="Lee"], (S) Cody Williamson, (Ath) Jyrine Otey and edge defender Ayo Abijo. All nine of those prospects are talented in their equal ways with college physical traits and upside. That is a strong class overall and a group that should be key factors for the Cougars this coming Fall. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-339487" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/20220513_182357-crop-2764x1815-1652506009-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />