photo by Hannah Reel

Centreville Academy’s Ragan Reynolds chases down Trinity Episcopal’s Kent King for a big loss in yards during the Tigers’ game against the Saints Oct. 16. The Tigers will host Glenbrook School Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

Centreville aims for school’s first three-peat as state champs

By Michael Kerekes (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, November 4, 2009

CENTREVILLE — The 2009 Centreville Academy Tigers are looking to accomplish what they have has never been accomplished before: a three-peat.

“There have been years where we’ve won back-to-back state championships, but we want to be part of a three-peat,” Tigers assistant coach Brian Stutzman said. “That’s never happened at Centreville before, and it all starts on Friday.”

And the Tigers cannot afford to look past their first-round opponent in the playoffs. Friday, Centreville will host Glenbrook School, a team with a winning history.

“They just moved up from Single A, and they played in the Single A championship last year,” Stutzman said. “They have a good squad, and a lot of tradition. They’re going to play hard.

“Offensively, they’re well-balanced. They throw and run the ball well. They have a really good running back and quarterback who can run as well as throw. They also have a good sized offensive line.”

Stutzman made it clear that his team has no intentions of overlooking Glenbrook.

“I think they’re 8-3 like us. They have a pretty good-looking team. They wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t good.”

For the Tigers, finishing first in their district and securing home field advantage in the postseason was a big plus.

“Our goal has always been to win the state championship,” Stutzman said. “We just have to take care of the first game and get back to Jackson.

“Getting home field advantage was big for us. Our fans travel well, but we just like playing at home. It’s more convenient for everyone involved, especially since we would have had to drive (all the way) to Minden, La. (where Glenbrook is from).”

Stutzman said the mental aspect of the game would be important for the Tigers if they want to have a chance at a three-peat.

“We have to play smart football and not turn the ball over,” Stutzman said.

“We have to continue to make good on blocking and tackling. We feel like we’ve gotten the ship right, now we just want to keep it steady and let everything else fall into place.”

Centreville, which finished the regular season 8-3, will kick off at 7 p.m.