Sports > Schools
Standing out: Centennial athletes ink letters of intent
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
After tallying a 24-3 mark the past two seasons, the Centennial football team was bound to have several players reach the collegiate level.
That success allowed eight Titans to ink their National Letters of Intent at a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on Feb. 6, with the team’s defense headlining the group.
“The contributions this team and these eight individuals made is really something,” said Mark Howard, Centennial head football coach. “You can’t put it into words.”
Cornerbacks Ranthony Texada and Cydney Calvin chose to stay in the Metroplex and play at TCU, while standout defensive end KJ Smith stuck with an early commitment to Baylor to try and revamp a Bears defense that has struggled in recent years.
“These guys were really a big part of our success here,” Howard said.
Linebacker Blair Swanner and safety Josh Garrett completed the defensive signees, with Swanner choosing West Point and Garrett inking with Midwestern State.
The five Titans led a unit that surrendered 20 or fewer points nine times last season and 10 or fewer points in four of those games.
Duel-threat quarterback Lamar Jordan, a long-time verbal commitment of Arkansas as a wide receiver, chose to remain under center for his collegiate career and sign with New Mexico. Jordan racked up more than 5,000 yards through the air during his two years as the team’s signal caller. Jordan also threw 55 touchdowns and ran for another 1,491 yards and 20 scores.
Kicker Austin Shoemake (Southern Arkansas) and fullback Jon Le (Southwest Assemblies of God) completed the class for Centennial’s football team. Le’s commitment comes on the heels of a 2012 season that was spent on the sidelines due to injuries.
The Centennial girls soccer team also saw a chunk of its roster sign letters of intent on National Signing Day. Seniors Cara Connatser and Madi Gangi led the way with commitments to Texas and Tennessee, respectively.
Rounding out the team’s class was Taylor Montoya (Louisiana Tech), Bronwyn Boswell (Evansville) and Erica Coker (Centenary College of Louisiana).
“These are five special young ladies that have worked hard most of their lives in this sport,” said Lauren O’Brien, Centennial girls soccer coach.
Centennial also saw senior Cory Deflice sign with Hill Junior College to continue his soccer career, while runner Joey DeSantis joined the University of Tennessee at Martin’s cross country program.
That success allowed eight Titans to ink their National Letters of Intent at a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on Feb. 6, with the team’s defense headlining the group.
“The contributions this team and these eight individuals made is really something,” said Mark Howard, Centennial head football coach. “You can’t put it into words.”
Cornerbacks Ranthony Texada and Cydney Calvin chose to stay in the Metroplex and play at TCU, while standout defensive end KJ Smith stuck with an early commitment to Baylor to try and revamp a Bears defense that has struggled in recent years.
“These guys were really a big part of our success here,” Howard said.
Linebacker Blair Swanner and safety Josh Garrett completed the defensive signees, with Swanner choosing West Point and Garrett inking with Midwestern State.
The five Titans led a unit that surrendered 20 or fewer points nine times last season and 10 or fewer points in four of those games.
Duel-threat quarterback Lamar Jordan, a long-time verbal commitment of Arkansas as a wide receiver, chose to remain under center for his collegiate career and sign with New Mexico. Jordan racked up more than 5,000 yards through the air during his two years as the team’s signal caller. Jordan also threw 55 touchdowns and ran for another 1,491 yards and 20 scores.
Kicker Austin Shoemake (Southern Arkansas) and fullback Jon Le (Southwest Assemblies of God) completed the class for Centennial’s football team. Le’s commitment comes on the heels of a 2012 season that was spent on the sidelines due to injuries.
The Centennial girls soccer team also saw a chunk of its roster sign letters of intent on National Signing Day. Seniors Cara Connatser and Madi Gangi led the way with commitments to Texas and Tennessee, respectively.
Rounding out the team’s class was Taylor Montoya (Louisiana Tech), Bronwyn Boswell (Evansville) and Erica Coker (Centenary College of Louisiana).
“These are five special young ladies that have worked hard most of their lives in this sport,” said Lauren O’Brien, Centennial girls soccer coach.
Centennial also saw senior Cory Deflice sign with Hill Junior College to continue his soccer career, while runner Joey DeSantis joined the University of Tennessee at Martin’s cross country program.
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