The Mustangs look to bounce back after missing the playoffs last year. |
The Mustangs aim for playoffs after missing out last year
Coach: Mike Hall (25-17 entering 5th year as head coach. 11th year at Salina Central)
2009 Recap: 6-3 overall, 3-2 in the AVCTL Division I. The Mustangs opened the season with four straight wins before dropping three of their last five games and missing out on the playoffs after losing to Emporia and cross-town rival Salina South in district play.
Returning Starters: Offense 6, Defense 7 (Zack Badders, Sr., LB; Taylor Bradley, Jr., RB/LB; Josh Curtis, Sr., OL; Aaron Davis, Sr., DL; Dylan Grammer, Sr., OL; Elias Grant, Sr., DB; Seth Gwin, Sr., DB; Michael Hoffart, Sr., TE; Chandler Perez, Sr., DL; Collin Ringle, Sr., LB; Cale Sharp, Sr., RB; Steven Viar, Sr., LB; Tyler Walker, Sr., OL; Shay Wooten, Sr., QB/DB)
Returning Lettermen: 26
2010 Outlook:
Offense: The Mustangs return six offensive starters and two others with varsity experience to a unit that averaged over 34 points per game last season. Salina Central will turn to Shay Wooten to be the signal caller this year. Wooten, who will provide a dual-threat in the backfield, averaged 8.6 yards per carry last season in a backup role. The Mustangs bring back three offensive linemen but will have to replace the right side of a line that anchored a record setting offense last year. Cale Sharp, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two years, will be back for his senior campaign along with newcomer Uriel Gonzales who will serve as a strong lead blocker and second option as ball carrier. Central will look to several newcomers at the receiver position to fill in for a unit that combined for over 1,700 yards last season.
Defense: Central’s defense will be stacked this year as they return seven starters including a pair of two-year starters along the line. Aaron Davis and Chandler Perez combined for 94 tackles last year including 18 for a loss and 11 sacks. Wooten returns to the secondary where he was the leading tackler from a year ago with 59 solo tackles and 41 assists. Also returning to the defensive backfield are seniors Elias Grant and Seth Gwin. Wooten led the team with five interceptions last year while Grant picked off three passes. According to coach Mike Hall, the defensive line and secondary will be key strengths for a unit that will have no evident weaknesses this season.
Odds and Ends: The Mustangs missed out on the playoffs in the 2009 season, snapping a 17-year streak of earning a playoff berth. Central opens district play with rival Salina South before hosting WAC contenders Great Bend and Hays to close the season.
Coach: Mike Hall (25-17 entering 5th year as head coach. 11th year at Salina Central)
2009 Recap: 6-3 overall, 3-2 in the AVCTL Division I. The Mustangs opened the season with four straight wins before dropping three of their last five games and missing out on the playoffs after losing to Emporia and cross-town rival Salina South in district play.
Returning Starters: Offense 6, Defense 7 (Zack Badders, Sr., LB; Taylor Bradley, Jr., RB/LB; Josh Curtis, Sr., OL; Aaron Davis, Sr., DL; Dylan Grammer, Sr., OL; Elias Grant, Sr., DB; Seth Gwin, Sr., DB; Michael Hoffart, Sr., TE; Chandler Perez, Sr., DL; Collin Ringle, Sr., LB; Cale Sharp, Sr., RB; Steven Viar, Sr., LB; Tyler Walker, Sr., OL; Shay Wooten, Sr., QB/DB)
Returning Lettermen: 26
2010 Outlook:
Offense: The Mustangs return six offensive starters and two others with varsity experience to a unit that averaged over 34 points per game last season. Salina Central will turn to Shay Wooten to be the signal caller this year. Wooten, who will provide a dual-threat in the backfield, averaged 8.6 yards per carry last season in a backup role. The Mustangs bring back three offensive linemen but will have to replace the right side of a line that anchored a record setting offense last year. Cale Sharp, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two years, will be back for his senior campaign along with newcomer Uriel Gonzales who will serve as a strong lead blocker and second option as ball carrier. Central will look to several newcomers at the receiver position to fill in for a unit that combined for over 1,700 yards last season.
Defense: Central’s defense will be stacked this year as they return seven starters including a pair of two-year starters along the line. Aaron Davis and Chandler Perez combined for 94 tackles last year including 18 for a loss and 11 sacks. Wooten returns to the secondary where he was the leading tackler from a year ago with 59 solo tackles and 41 assists. Also returning to the defensive backfield are seniors Elias Grant and Seth Gwin. Wooten led the team with five interceptions last year while Grant picked off three passes. According to coach Mike Hall, the defensive line and secondary will be key strengths for a unit that will have no evident weaknesses this season.
Odds and Ends: The Mustangs missed out on the playoffs in the 2009 season, snapping a 17-year streak of earning a playoff berth. Central opens district play with rival Salina South before hosting WAC contenders Great Bend and Hays to close the season.
