2022 Team Preview: Centennial Hawks

<strong>Centennial 2022 Preview</strong> <strong>Head Coach</strong>: Aaron Ocampo <strong>Mascot</strong>: Hawks <strong>Twitter</strong>: @angrybirdfb <strong>Colors</strong>: Red, Black and Yellow <strong>Enrollment</strong>: 1,558 <strong>2021 Record</strong>: 8-2 (6A Quarterfinals) <strong>Overview</strong>: Centennial has been one of the most consistent Class 6A programs over the last several years. Based on history, pencil in the Hawks for a playoff spot and a possible top four seed. They lose dynamic dual threat quarterback Ian Lopez, handing rising junior (2024) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="340297" first="Daniel" last="Hernandez"]</strong> his opportunity after leading Centennial’s JV team in 2021. Rising sophomore (2025) <strong>Zaden Davis</strong> is his primary competition for the starting job. Hernandez has taken the majority of reps in summer workouts. Hernandez is athletic, difficult to bring down in open space and quick on his feet. The 6-foot-2 Davis has a strong throwing arm. Head coach Aaron Ocampo will see how each QB progresses during the summer and preseason camp before making the final decision on who will start the opener. Whoever starts at QB should be helped by a productive ground game spearheaded by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208691" first="Mikah" last="Gutierrez"]</strong>, one of the top running backs in the state, and arguably the top offensive line in the state. <strong>Fernando Jacquez</strong> (2023) and <strong>Nate Lara</strong> (pound-for-pound, strongest player on the team) are the projected RB backups. WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137930" first="Isaiah" last="Abeyta"]</strong> enjoyed a solid junior season in 2021 and returns as Centennial’s top threat in the passing game. Rising junior <strong>Christian Ortiz</strong> can flash the speed and ran track in the spring. All five projected starters along the offensive front have varsity experience. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="270023" first="Izaiah" last="Gonzalez"]</strong> will definitely play at the next level and already holds offers from Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="269517" first="Khalif" last="Arenas"]</strong> is another O-Lineman with possible next-level talent. <strong>Isaiah Hilliard</strong> missed the second half of the season with an injury but is healthy now. Defensively, Centennial returns plenty of experience along the defensive front. Rising sophomore <strong>Abel Gonzalez</strong> saw extensive action as a freshman in 2021 and performed well. <strong>Julien Montano</strong> suffered an injury in last season’s opener against Cleveland and didn’t return, but has the potential to be a very good defensive end. At linebacker, the quartet of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="274702" first="John" last="Sierra"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="335477" first="Devyn" last="Woods"], Fernando Jacquez </strong>and <strong>Andrew Evans</strong> is one of the best in the state. Sierra earned all-district and all-state honors as a sophomore in 2021 and has performed well at camps this spring. Evans will play the WILL LB spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="340299" first="David" last="Beasley"]</strong> will lineup at strong safety.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="335476" first="Cole" last="Runyan"]</strong> was an All-State free safety last season. Runyan is 6-foot-4, 190 pounds but has impressive mobility and speed. <strong>Mason Pierce</strong> and <strong>Isaac Aguilar</strong> are the cornerbacks. 2025 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="280925" first="Jordan" last="Lucas"]</strong> is a promising up-and-comer. <strong>Schedule</strong>: Centennial always plays one of the toughest non-conference slates in the state and this year is no exception with two trips to the Albuquerque Metro Region in the first three weeks (at Cleveland; at La Cueva) plus two games against El Paso schools and the rivalry game against Mayfield. All that before district play begins in late Sept. Aug. 19 at Cleveland Aug. 26 EL PASO (TX) FRANKLIN Sept. 2 at La Cueva Sept. 9 at Mayfield (Field of Dreams) Sept. 16 Bye Sept. 23 ORGAN MOUNTAIN* Sept. 30 at El Paso (TX) Chapin Oct. 7 at Hobbs* Oct. 15 CARLSBAD (1 p.m.)* Oct. 22 ALAMOGORDO* Oct. 28 at Las Cruces (Field of Dreams)* * District Game <strong>Top Storyline</strong>: With a new quarterback and challenging schedule, will Centennial sustain their success from the past several years? <strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: Centennial is 29-5 over the last three full seasons (excluding the abbreviated Covid-delayed spring season) under Aaron Ocampo and has been a remarkable model of consistency. This season should be no different. The Hawks will likely again battle cross-town rival Las Cruces for the district championship, although Hobbs probably begs to differ. We’ll learn a lot about Centennial early in the season when they travel to face Cleveland and La Cueva. If the Hawks split those two games, they could be off and running towards another impressive season. <strong>Coach’s Comments</strong>: “We had a good season (in 2021) and have a lot of returners that played quite a bit. Many of our kids know what to do. It has made for competitive workouts. We ask a lot from our quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id="340297" first="Daniel" last="Hernandez"] is progressing right now. Our kids have belief in him. Mikah had a really good junior year and has worked hard. He’s a very competitive guy. ” – Centennial head coach Aaron Ocampo. https://twitter.com/IzaiahGonzale12/status/1534726658619580416 https://twitter.com/johnsierra2024/status/1539035727375175685 https://twitter.com/ArenasKhalif/status/1534767042322124803 https://twitter.com/Jordan_Lucas_07/status/1534735594097479680