The Centerburg football team finished the 2022 season on fire, winning nine of 10 games and ending with a 9-2 record. While the Trojans lost last year's KMAC player of the year, Tyler Johnson, to graduation, the team looks to continue its success with nine returning lettermen on the 2023 squad.
"Every year is a challenge trying to replace the previous year's seniors," said Coach Andy Colella, who has coached 15 of his 18 seasons at Centerburg. "We are excited about the on-field experience we have returning. The challenge will be whether the experienced players can transition into a leadership role and bring along the younger players. That will be key in determining our success this year.
The Trojans lost their first game of the season and then went on a tear winning nine straight games, before losing 36-14 in the playoffs to Columbus Academy. Centerburg was 5-0 at home, 6-0 in conference play and outscored opponents 354-196.
Returning this fall are Jesse Rings, Caylan LeMaster, Mason Turske, Tristin Hankinson, Cam Alloway, Charlie Sargent, Aiden Anderson, Trevin Harris and Chris Marshall.
Rings was first-team All-KMAC and was the top receiver on the team last season with 33 catches for 422 yards and looks to improve on that production this season despite losing the top quarterback in KMAC, Tyler Johnson. He also led the team with five interceptions and deflected five passes.
First-team All-KMAC honoree LeMaster was a stand-out in the backfield and looks to continue this in his senior year. Last year he rushed for 1,184 yards on 146 carries, which is a clip of 8.1 yards per carry, and had 12 touchdowns. Receiving he had 17 catches for 182 yards. LeMaster also had 75 tackles, a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks.
Turske, named second-team All-KMAC, was also solid receiving the ball and entered his senior year. He caught 23 balls for 372 yards last year and ended with seven touchdowns. Hankinson, also a senior, had 10 catches for 94 yards and looks to be a bigger part of the offense. He also had 3.5 sacks and 50 tackles. He was named second-team All-KMAC.
Trevin Harris enters his junior year, coming off a season where he had a pair of interceptions. He also had 16 catches for 211 yards. Alloway will be a senior and is coming off a year with 38 tackles, a sack and an interception. Sargent had 40 tackles and looks to provide senior leadership. He was named honorable mention All-KMAC.
The major loss is Johnson, but the team also loses first-team All-KMAC recipients Tanner Hott, Gauge Stepp, John Geiger, Mason Lanthorn and Dominic Vargo.
Johnson was the KMAC player of the year as he was the KMAC's number two rusher, number three passer and top touchdown scorer. In the air, he threw for 1,287 yards with 17 touchdowns and only four picks, for a 99.8 quarterback rating. On the ground, he ran 229 times for 1,501 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was 76th in the state in passing yardage, 15th in rushing and 84th in total touchdowns. This serves as a major hole to fill for the Trojans.
Coach Colella said the team will be running a spread no-huddle offense, as the style suits the players on the team and enjoy running it. He said this needs to be tweaked yearly based on who is on the team.
The Trojans run a 4-2 defense, but there are times when they jump to the line in a 3-3 formation. He said like the offense this is what he feels best suits the team for success, as it has been tried and true for the last 10 to 12 years.
Colella has been around football his whole life, watching his father coach football and being heavily involved in the game. These experiences along with his time as a player and a coach have led to him being in contact with many people who have inspired him. He said there are pieces you pick up along the way to be implemented as time goes on. He said his expectation as a coach for his team is to be the "best version of ourselves."
"We feel if we can do that we'll be right where we want to be at the end of the season," Colella said.
Centerburg started the 2023 season with a 34-7 win over Utica on August 18. They played at home on August 25 against Ontario (details were unavailable at press time) and then hit the road for Worthington Christian on September 1 at 7 p.m.
