HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Central Christian School Cougars football team enters the 2024 season with a lot of experience returning from a 6-4 season last fall.
"We're really excited about this year," CCS head coach Matt Barnett said. "We've got a lot returning, so we came in with a lot of energy from the summer. We only lost one senior from last year, so having that many guys coming back that have been apart of the program makes it easier, that's for sure."
Barnett says his offense should be dangerous again this year and it all starts up front.
"I think offensive line again will be a big strength for us," Barnett said. "We've got a lot of senior leadership up there with guys like Caleb Glover, Keaton Miller, Kaleb Sullivan and then a junior that played center last year, Konnor Sullivan. I think we're getting better and better up there."
Senior quarterback Nate Reed threw for nearly 1,000 yards his shortened junior campaign.
"He got banged up and missed the last three weeks of the season last year," Barnett said. "So having him back and healthy with us this year is huge. He's such a strong leader and you know he's going to make the right decisions on the field."
Barnett is confident his offense is capable of making a lot of explosive plays this fall.
"Offensively as a whole we've got a lot of pieces, we've got a lot of weapons," Barnett said. "We've got a lot of guys that we can plug in, as well. We've got a lot of experience which will definitely help us."
Barnett, being a defensive minded coach is excited about what that side of the ball can do, too.
"The defense is kind of my baby, so I get real excited about that part of it," Barnett said. "We've got a lot returning. We'll have to fill the shoes of Justice Huff, which we're going to miss him big time. His brother, Piercen, at the safety spot has such a good nose for the football. It seems like he's in on every single tackle. We've got a lot of guys like that."
The Cougars get started with their jamboree on Friday at CCS.
"We have a couple of teams that come in and give us a good workout to start the season," Barnett said. "Meade and Little River are each coming back, and they're two traditional powerhouses that are in the playoffs every year."
CCS will open the regular season on Sept. 6 at home against Sunrise Christian Academy from Bel Aire.
"Starting off with Sunrise Christian, they were a really good team last year," Barnett said. "We're excited about getting them at home this year. They're well-coached and it will be a tough one. Overall we've got a tough schedule, but I'm really looking forward to it."