Last year was Centralia’s ninth winning football season in 10 years, and the Panthers feel better heading into this season.

Centralia Football Scrimmage Photo Gallery

The Panthers wrapped up their summer schedule with scrimmaging on Thursday in Moberly against the host Spartans, Southern Boone and Boonville for the Annual HIGskin Classic. They were able to relax after two hours of playing two nights prior to the beginning of dead week.

Centralia opens the season at home against Mexico on Aug. 27 but had a chance at the end of last month to face other schools. Head coach Tyler Forsee said it was the team’s fourth year participating in the Moberly scrimmage event and likes how the event gives playing time to the varsity, junior varsity and freshman squads.

“We get an eye on who can do what and how much they can do it,” Forsee said. “We get them out there and let them roll. Go play football, have some fun and enjoy the hard work we did all summer.”

Forsee said he mainly focused on how well Centralia executed various plays and was especially cognizant whenever he called a passing play. After a season in the offense, the many kids returning have a better understanding and handle on it, Forsee said, so he would like to see some aspects polished. 

“We’re going to run the ball,” Forsee said. “I want to become more efficient when we throw it. I want to own the run game to an extent of making defenses play against that and try to get them through the air.”

Anthony Ford had some good catches on throws from Rex Bryson, Forsee said, and Grant Kendrick also showed some ability on his passes. 

Defensively, Forsee said Peyson Bryson made good plays and Luke Waltemate was a good leader at the safety position, displaying a “high athletic IQ” and was “like having a coach or quarterback out there on defense.” Tilmon Sontheimer, Marshall Kable, Zarek Poe and Chris Brown shined on the line stopping the run. 

Last year, Centralia’s season ended at 7-4 in the second round of districts. Forsee said this year’s Panthers have progressed further at the end of July than at the same point last year.

“We’re well ahead of where we were last year,” Forsee said. “The second year in the offense is a big reason for that. We return a lot of guys so we’re able to pick up things and move at a pretty good pace. We probably need to slow down a little bit on a few things and clean it up before we get going too far. I’m excited where we’re at right now.”