Bulldogs cautious despite hot start

Centennial’s football players and coaches are certainly happy about their 2-0 start.

But the Bulldogs’ veterans have seen previous fast starts quickly followed by complete collapses.

That’s why Centennial has placed so much focus on this week’s league opener against Arbor View.

“We’ve seen a lot of teams in the past start off hot and they’ve dropped it,” senior Willie White said. “So we want to stay hungry and stay humble.”

The Bulldogs face their biggest test thus far when they host the Aggies (2-0) at 7 p.m. today. The teams are tied for 10th in the latest Class 4A coaches poll.

In 2008 Centennial won its first two games, only to lose its next six games. First-year coach Leon Evans thinks tonight’s game could be the key to Bulldogs’ season.

“It’s a huge matchup for us, not only for the (Northwest League) standings, but for our confidence,” he said.

Arbor View has had little trouble in its last two meetings with the Bulldogs, winning 28-7 in 2008 and 38-13 last season.

“They blew us out a lot last year on TV, and I’m looking forward to coming back and getting a little piece of revenge,” senior running back Taj Cole said.

Though the teams run different offensive sets, they have similar approaches. The Aggies have run for 696 yards and compiled 837 yards of offense while outscoring their first two opponents 92-21.

The Bulldogs have rushed for 693 yards, totaled 845 yards of offense and have outscored opponents 67-26.

The key to Centennial’s success has been its trio of running backs. Cole (247 rushing yards, three touchdowns), White (187 yards, five TDs) and Jacobi Owens (160 yards) have been tough to stop in the Bulldogs’ T-formation.

“We’ve got that three-headed monster back there,” Evans said. “Each one possesses different qualities. One’s more of a downhill runner, one’s a scat back and one can do a little bit of both.”

White is quick to credit the team’s line and depth.

“We have a good offensive line blocking for us, and we even have good backup backs,” White said. “So it’s more like a six-headed monster.”

Arbor View counters with plenty of backfield talent. Donnie Gaskin (171 rushing yards, two TDs), Roderick Eason (153 yards, two TDs) and Jordan Godman (119 yards, three TDs) are thriving in the Aggies’ double-wing offense.

Evans is curious to see how his team will react if things start to bounce Arbor View’s way. He said he saw positives last week when the Bulldogs dominated in the second half to come from behind and defeat Green Valley, 19-13.

“When things are going good, we’re a good football team,” Evans said. “When adversity sets in, we still hang our heads a little bit, and we need to stop that.

“We tell the kids all the time that good football teams, they don’t fight each other. They get better in tough times.”