2023 Team Preview: Centennial Hawks
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<p><strong>2023 Centennial Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Aaron Ocampo </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Hawks </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @Angrybirdfb</p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Black, Red and Yellow </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 9-2 (6A Semifinals) </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Centennial has been one of the most consistent programs in New Mexico over the past decade. Opened in 2012, the Hawks have won 9+ games six times since 2013. In the last four full seasons, Centennial has compiled an impressive record of 38-7. Yet, the Hawks have yet to reach the Class 6A state championship game. Could this group of Hawks be the first to do it? Maybe. They certainly possess the talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, to reach Thanksgiving weekend.</p>
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<p>Centennial has an experienced returning quarterback in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340297' first='Daniel' last='Hernandez']</strong>. He's an extremely athletic dual threat signal caller that completes a high percentage of his passes and has the quickness to get to the edge when he runs. But he's also mentally and physically tough. He thoroughly understands the offensive system and what Centennial is trying to accomplish on every play. Junior <strong>Zaiden Davis</strong> is the backup QB. He played linebacker/nickel last season.</p>
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<p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837060' first='Rudy' last='Rios']</strong> has been tasked with replacing the dynamic Mikah Gutierrez at running back. Rios embraced his enhanced offensive role this summer and looks ready to become the Hawks' No. 1 RB. Rios has good size and good speed, and hopes to build on the experience he gained last season playing behind Gutierrez. Behind him is a sizeable group of young rushers. Preseason camp could determine the No. 2 RB.</p>
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<p>Junior wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas']</strong> is a camp warrior and has the potential to become one of the top wide receivers in the state. That could happen this year. He enjoyed a solid sophomore season. Lucas, son of former New Mexico State standout Cory Lucas, is savvy and possesses a high football IQ. He's also tough and willing to block on the edge. He's been known to take on defensive ends. <strong>Christian Ortiz</strong> also returns at WR. Ortiz was the fourth receiver in 2022 and has the speed and quickness to seamlessly make the jump up the depth chart. Behind them are some young receivers with good size, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837021' first='Omar' last='Terrones']</strong>, who started at cornerback last season and earned All-District honors, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259081' first='Omar' last='Sanchez']</strong>.</p>
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<p>The offensive line must replace several experienced starters from last season. This season's O-Line for the Hawks won't have the same level of experience or size as the 2022 group did but they have improved throughout the offseason. This group, though, could be more mobile and agile than last year. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769759' first='Sultan' last='Arenas']</strong> is Centennial's lone offensive lineman with starting experience. He started about 8 games last season as a sophomore. He'll be the leader of the unit. Six-foot-1 high-energy sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853023' first='Luke' last='Matherly']</strong>, who also plays defense, is being eyed as an offensive tackle. His future is extremely bright as a two-way player.</p>
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<p>Defensively, Centennial has college caliber players at all three levels. The biggest name is 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274702' first='John' last='Sierra']</strong>, a tackling machine that has been offered by New Mexico. Sierra could also see action as a tight end on offense. The Hawks plan to move Sierra around to prevent defenses from running plays away from him. Matherly and Davis will play LB as well. Both are athletic and can run. </p>
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<p>Along the defensive line, 6-foot-4, 215-pound sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853028' first='Ifo' last='Pili Jr.']</strong> has already been offered by BYU (where his father played) and New Mexico State. His potential is off the charts and someday he could be our No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class. Pili Jr. has long arms, is aggressive and seems willing to learn the game. He'll be joined on the D-Line by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613749' first='Abel' last='Gonzalez']</strong>, who has been starting since he was a freshman, and active senior DE <strong>Julein Montano</strong>.</p>
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<p>In the secondary, senior safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340299' first='David' last='Beasley']</strong> holds an offer from New Mexico Highlands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815963' first='Andrew' last='Evans']</strong> is a hybrid player who could play in the secondary or close to the line of scrimmage. Terrones was an All-District cornerback ass a sophomore in 2022. Sanchez will be starting for the first time but he's an exceptional athlete.</p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>: Centennial begins the 2023 slate with – literally – a bang as the Hawks host powerhouses Cleveland and La Cueva and travel to Franklin High in El Paso in the first three weeks. After a home game against local rival Mayfield, district play begins Sept. 22 against Organ Mountain. Home games against Hobbs and Las Cruces could decide the district champion. </p>
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<p>Aug. 19 CLEVELAND (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 at El Paso (TX) Franklin</p>
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<p>Sept. 2 LA CUEVA (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 MAYFIELD</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 Bye</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 at Organ Mountain*</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 HOBBS*</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 at Carlsbad*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 at Alamogordo*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 LAS CRUCES*</p>
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<p>* District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “Our summer and offseason went very well. We have some outstanding kids in our program. They're good people and good leaders. They're gung ho and excited about working and being together and being a good team. . .Danny is where we start offensively. He's a gung ho, high energy player. The players around him really feed off him. Her's a very good leader. Rudy is a good-sized kid with good speed. He's high energy. He has a lot of experience from last year. He's seasoned. We expect good things from him.” – Centennial head coach Aaron Ocampo. </p>
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2023 Centennial Preview
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