2022 Team Preview: Centennial Hawks
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Centennial 2022 Preview Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo Mascot: Hawks Twitter: @angrybirdfb Colors: Red, Black and Yellow Enrollment: 1,558 2021 Record: 8-2 (6A Quarterfinals) Overview: Centennial has been one of the most consistent Class 6A programs over the last several years.…
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Continue ReadingCentennial 2022 Preview
Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo
Mascot: Hawks
Twitter: @angrybirdfb
Colors: Red, Black and Yellow
Enrollment: 1,558
2021 Record: 8-2 (6A Quarterfinals)
Overview: 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) Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM his opportunity after leading Centennial’s JV team in 2021. Rising sophomore (2025) Zaden Davis 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 Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM , one of the top running backs in the state, and arguably the top offensive line in the state. Fernando Jacquez (2023) and Nate Lara (pound-for-pound, strongest player on the team) are the projected RB backups. WR Isaiah Abeyta Isaiah Abeyta 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Centennial | 2023 State NM enjoyed a solid junior season in 2021 and returns as Centennial’s top threat in the passing game. Rising junior Christian Ortiz can flash the speed and ran track in the spring. All five projected starters along the offensive front have varsity experience. Izaiah Gonzalez Izaiah Gonzalez 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Centennial | 2023 State NM will definitely play at the next level and already holds offers from Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands. Khalif Arenas Khalif Arenas 6'1" | 290 lbs | OL Centennial | 2023 State NM is another O-Lineman with possible next-level talent. Isaiah Hilliard 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 Abel Gonzalez saw extensive action as a freshman in 2021 and performed well. Julien Montano 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 John Sierra John Sierra 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Centennial | 2024 State NM , Devyn Woods Devyn Woods 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Centennial | 2023 State NM , Fernando Jacquez and Andrew Evans 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. David Beasley David Beasley 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Centennial | 2024 State NM will lineup at strong safety. Cole Runyan Cole Runyan 6'4" | 190 lbs | DB Centennial | 2023 State NM was an All-State free safety last season. Runyan is 6-foot-4, 190 pounds but has impressive mobility and speed. Mason Pierce and Isaac Aguilar are the cornerbacks. 2025 prospect Jordan Lucas Jordan Lucas 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Centennial | 2025 State NM is a promising up-and-comer.
Schedule: 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
Top Storyline: With a new quarterback and challenging schedule, will Centennial sustain their success from the past several years?
Final Thoughts: 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.
Coach’s Comments: “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. Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM 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.
#AGTG After a great camp and talk with @HiattENMU beyond blessed to say that I’ve received an offer from Eastern New Mexico University!! pic.twitter.com/iM7u5Mw1el
— Izaiah Gonzalez (@IzaiahGonzale12) June 9, 2022
Had a a great time learning and competing at the @NMSU_Football camp this weekend! @Angrybirdfb @PrepRedzoneNM @nmpreps @NMrecruits @DJMarquardtNMSU @coachkill_fb pic.twitter.com/a3uBxes675
— John Sierra (@johnsierra2024) June 21, 2022
— Khalif I. Arenas (@ArenasKhalif) June 9, 2022
Enjoyed learning and competing this evening at the @ENMUFootball camp. Big thanks to @Coach_JDodge for the tips and encouragement! @Angrybirdfb @PrepRedzoneNM @nmpreps @RivalsNick @RivalsCorey @Rivals pic.twitter.com/czQ3zdKPHp
— Jordan Lucas (@Jordan_Lucas_07) June 9, 2022