Central

At a glance

Coach: Jim Pusateri, second season

Class: 2, District 11 (Suburban)

Last season: 0-10

Key players: WR/CB Caden Bergantino, Sr.; TE/LB Emaurien Davis, So.; QB/CB Matt Dehart, Sr.; WR/CB Seth Hamlet, Sr.; QB/LB Braden Joyner, Jr.; DE/OT Edward Lewis, Fr.; RB/OLB Alex Livingston, Jr.; TE/DE Carlos O’Neil, Jr.; TE/DE Jason Philpot, Jr.; WR/QB/OLB Malachi Russell, Sr.; DE/OG Chris Robinson, Jr.; WR/CB Tarell Sherman, Jr.; WR Jeroen Watson, Jr.

Schedule

Aug. 19 vs. North Port, 7:30 (preseason)

Aug. 26 vs. Citrus, 7:30

Sept. 2 vs. Lake Weir, 7:30

Sept. 9 at Bronson, 7:30

Sept. 16 vs. Anclote, 7:30

Sept. 23 at Gulf, 7:30

Sept. 30 at Hudson, 7:30

Oct. 7 Bye

Oct. 14 vs. Branford, 7:30

Oct. 21 at Nature Coast, 7:30

Oct. 28 vs. Weeki Wachee, 7:30

Nov. 4 at Pasco, 7:30

Outlook

Last year was tough for Central coach Jim Pusateri. He was not hired until mid-summer, inherited a roster with just 21 players and had to assemble a staff in just a few weeks. The result was a winless season. This year is different. Pusateri now has a bigger staff, along with 80 players in the program. The progress showed in the spring with the Bears beating Tenoroc 24-14 The depth is evident. In fact, there is competition for starting jobs at some positions. Matt Dehart, a transfer from Bishop McLaughlin, is battling Braden Joyner to be the quarterback. Whoever emerges will have some dependable targets, such as Caden Bergantino, who had a pair of touchdown catches in the spring game against Tenoroc. Central will be lead on the offensive line by Edward Lewis and Chris Robinson. On defense, the Bears graduated their top two tacklers. Still, they should show improvement with a strong linebacking unit that includes Joyner, Russell, Emaurien Davis and Alex Livingston.