2024 Look Ahead: Centennial looks to take next step
In this article:
Centennial has been one of the most consistently successful programs in New Mexico since the school’s founding in 2012. The Hawks have won nine or more games six times, and reached the 6A playoff semifinals twice (2022 and 2018). As…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCentennial has been one of the most consistently successful programs in New Mexico since the school’s founding in 2012. The Hawks have won nine or more games six times, and reached the 6A playoff semifinals twice (2022 and 2018).
As preparations for the 2024 season begin, Centennial looks to take the next step to the Class 6A state championship game and become the first Las Cruces high school since 2017 to reach the final game. The last time a Las Cruces school lifted the blue trophy in the state’s highest classification? 2013.
“We feel we have a good group of kids,” Centennial head coach Aaron Ocampo said. “Right now we’re just trying to get better every day and then play well during the season.”
Centennial certainly possesses the talent to compete for the state title in 2024, beginning with dynamic dual threat quarterback Zaiden Davis Zaiden Davis 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Centennial | 2025 State NM , who emerged in the second half of last season after starter Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez 6'2" | 160 lbs | LB Estancia | 2027 State NM (ENMU signee) suffered an injury.
“Zaiden performed like we expected him to when Danny went down,” Ocampo said. “We knew he would do well. He competed for the spot when he was a sophomore and Daniel was a junior. Zaiden helped us in other positions. Zaiden is obviously the guy this year.
“He’ll take all the reps in spring and summer. He should be improved over last year when he played very well. We’re going to put one of our best athletes at quarterback and use him as a runner and passer.”
Rising sophomore Ruiz Laborin will compete for the backup QB role but with a 6-foot-2 frame the Hawks coaches will find a place to get him on the field.
Rising senior Rudy Rios Rudy Rios 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2025 State NM began the 2023 season as Centennial’s No. 1 running back but an injury forced him to miss about a month, and opened the door for the graduating Jesus Barraza Jesus Barraza 6'4" | 215 lbs | RB Centennial | 2024 State NM , who signed with Sul Ross State University. Rios is again healthy, and hopes for a big senior season.
“Rudy is a good athlete and very smart,” Ocampo said.
Rising junior Anthony Villa got some varsity experience last season and he is expected to compete with Rios for the starting job.
“Anthony is a quick, tough kid,” Ocampo said. “He played a decent amount last season, including pretty much the entire second half against Las Cruces in the playoffs.”
Camp warrior Jordan Lucas Jordan Lucas 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Centennial | 2025 State NM cemented his status as one of the top 2025 wide receivers in the state after catching over 40 passes in 2023. Ocampo envisions utilizing Lucas in the run game, as well.
“Jordan is one of our most dynamic athletes when he has the ball in his hands,” Ocampo said. “He loves the game and works very hard. He’s been starting for us since he was a sophomore. We expect him to be a strong leader for us and a guy who makes plays.”
Rising junior Ralph Silva Ralph Silva 5'11" | 150 lbs | WR Centennial | 2026 State NM was Centennial’s No. 3 WR last season and he should ascend to No. 2 behind Lucas. The competition should be keen for the No. 3 and No. 4 WR roles.
Rising junior left tackle Luke Matherly Luke Matherly 6'2" | 225 lbs | OL Centennial | 2026 State NM , who has shifted between defensive line and offensive line throughout his career, will likely return to D-Line, Ocampo said, opening up a key spot on Centennial’s offensive line.
All six blockers who started at one point or another on the O-Line last season are back in 2024, including center Sultan Arenas Sultan Arenas 6'1" | 260 lbs | OL Centennial | 2025 State NM , RG Matthew Garcia, LG Devin Salas (likely moving to tackle), RT Lorenzo Mendietta and OT Cruz Segura. Three hundred pounder Mikey Arrowood is a promising rising junior who spent most of last season on JV.
Defensively, Centennial must replace FBS caliber linebacker John Sierra John Sierra 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Centennial | 2024 State NM (New Mexico signee) and promising 6-foot-4 defensive lineman Ifo Pili Jr. Ifo Pili Jr. 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Centennial | 2026 State NM , who has moved to Utah with his family. His father, formerly the Las Cruces city manager, accepted a job as city manager of West Valley City, UT, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
Rising senior Abel Gonzalez Abel Gonzalez 6'1" | 195 lbs | DL Centennial | 2025 State NM , a First-Team All-State honoree in 2023, will anchor the defensive line along with Matherly. Gonzalez has been a Hawks starter since he was a freshman in 2021, and enters the 2024 campaign as one of Centennial’s most experienced players.
With Sierra graduating and Davis moving to quarterback, Centennial will break in a new group of linebackers. Who will compete for the jobs? Ocampo said the competition is wide open with rising junior Joseph Bitar, younger brother of graduating senior Juan-Andres Bitar Juan-Andres Bitar LB Centennial | 2024 State NM , expected to be in the think of the fight. Joseph Bitar enjoyed a great season with the Centennial JV in 2023.
Rising senior cornerbacks Omar Sanchez Omar Sanchez 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Centennial | 2025 NM and Omar Terrones Omar Terrones DB Centennial | 2025 State NM (honorable mention All-State in 2023) will anchor the secondary along with returning free safety Mychael Ortiz Mychael Ortiz 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Centennial | 2025 State NM . Who replaces David Beasley David Beasley 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Centennial | 2024 State NM at strong safety is a question yet to be answered.
“We feel pretty good with those three guys back in the secondary,” Ocampo said.
2024 CENTENNIAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 at Cleveland
Aug. 30 at Atrisco Heritage
Sept. 7 ARTESIA (Sat., 1 p.m.)
Sept. 13 RIO RANCHO
Sept. 19 CARLSBAD (Thur.)*
Sept. 27 Bye
Oct. 4 at Alamogordo*
Oct. 11 HOBBS*
Oct. 18 at Organ Mountain*
Oct. 25 at Clovis*
Nov. 1 LAS CRUCES*
* District 6A-3 Game