2025 Preview: Central Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year was one of the best seasons in Central football history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by first-year head coach Jonathan Eason, Central won 10 games for the first time since the 2011 season and advanced through to the third round of the playoffs before being knocked out by Fairfield Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The return of star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen']</strong> has Eason feeling like the results could be much of the same again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Dwayne is a big kid that has developed into not only one of the best quarterbacks in the region, but also in the entire state," Eason said. "I'm impressed by the growth and maturity he's shown in my time here and I can't wait to see what the season holds for him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louallen isn't the only big returner, as Central will bring back its top two rushers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short']</strong>. Those two will run behind an offensive line that returns four of its five starters in <strong>Jared Melton</strong>, <strong>Brandon Rollins</strong>, <strong>Jordan Caldwell</strong> and <strong>Skyler Laney</strong>. (There's more on the fifth member of the line below.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rollins (pictured) spoke about some of the things he has worked on this offseason and how he's preparing to have a strong senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Reading defensive fronts, knowing when a linebacker is coming, twist schemes or anything like that," Rollins said. "Just overall trying to read defenses and better understand schemes and tendencies."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only does Central return nearly all its offensive production, but it brings back three of its top defenders last season in <strong>Eric Maddox</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639763' first='Marques' last='Allen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A star quarterback, two workhorse running backs, a veteran offensive line group and stellar defensive production returning could be all the makings of another stellar season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen']</strong> QB, 2027 - As we mentioned above, Louallen has the full faith and trust from his head coach and after last season. it's hard not to. He threw for 1,417 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as adding 519 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He did throw 10 interceptions so that is something that will need to be cleaned up and improved on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson']</strong> RB, 2026 - Wilson is one of the two dynamic players in the backfield and his 858 rushing yards and six touchdowns speak for themselves. He made an impact in the receiving game as well with 17 catches for 167 yards. If he is able to get more touches than Short, a 1,000-yard rushing season could be well in reach. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639763' first='Marques' last='Allen']</strong> LB, 2026 - The leader of the defense, Allen racked up 80 tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception last season. Central does lose its top three leaders in tackles for loss last season so Allen's production and numbers in that department should see a bit of an uptick in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore']</strong> WR/DB, 2026 - Moore very well may have been the best two-way player for Central last season. Offensively, he racked up 266 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 20 catches. Defensively, he led the team in interceptions with seven and added a forced fumble. With incredible ball skills, quarterbacks should be weary of throwing to his side of the fied.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jakari Holloman</strong> RB/LB, 2026 - Holloman will be in his first season at Central after transferring in from McBee. He had a solid junior season there with 612 rushing yards, 137 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, he was a star with 114 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He will be another playmaker on an already stellar defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17999527/6751ad294d433bcf8e007e8e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686e82f273867"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tray Wilson</strong> WR- Wilson was third in rushing yards last season with 545 but he was far and away the leader in touchdowns with 16. He was also far and away the leader in receiving with 38 catches for 598 yards and five touchdowns. Someone will need to step up in a major way to replicate that production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dontavias Covington</strong> DE - Covington was all over the field last season and put together quite a good year. He finished the with 65 tackles, 15 1/2 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt. His playmaking ability will be missed and hard to replace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marzavious Allen</strong> LB, 2027 - Allen was not on the field a ton last season but when he was, he was making plays. He had three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 35 tackles and four tackles for loss. With quite a few leading tacklers having moved on, Allen's production should increase and he's in position for a solid junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cody Branham</strong> ATH, 2027 - Branham is stuck behind Louallen at quarterback, but Central still found ways to use him last season. He lined up in the backfield, at tight end and even got some snaps in on defense. He will probably be used in the same ways this season and should have another good season if so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623487"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686e82f275026"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Streater is a rising star in the Class of 2027 who cut his teeth as a sophomore but is more than prepared to take his individual talents and those of the Eagles' offense right along with them. <br><br>He's got a big reach and more than enough athletic ability to dominate at this level for the next two years. The fact the he's responsible for protective Louallen and the bevy of tailbacks makes his role on this squad that much more important. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->