Central Football Has High Expectations

Hunter Smith has been a man on the spot for the Central High School football team for the last three years, particularly on defense -- the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has made 258 tackles as the Scarlet Dragons’ middle linebacker, recovering five fumbles and intercepting five passes.

You could understand, though, if Smith felt a little bit out of place when he arrived for Central’s preseason camp.

“It’s definitely pretty weird not seeing the people that have been with me the last three years,” Smith said.

Smith is one of the few holdovers from the Dragon teams that are coming off back-to-back PIAA Class 3A semifinal appearances and that have compiled a 34-6 record since 2020.

Among the 13 starters and 13 letterwinners that graduated and no longer are part of the mix this fall is Jeff Hoenstine and Eli Lingenfelter– the most prolific passing combination Pennsylvania football has ever witnessed has taken its talents to Division I St. Francis University.

Despite the shift in the lineup, though, the Dragons -- 12-3 last year– came to camp not thinking about just keeping their heads above water in the rugged, expanded Laurel Highlands Conference, but being right at the top again and winning District 6 for the fourth year in a row.

“I haven’t really noticed anything different. We still have high expectations,” said senior Caleb Benton, who broke up seven passes as a starting cornerback last year and likely will step in to one of the vacant starting receiver roles this fall. “We lost a lot of great skill position players and great leaders, so we’ll need some new people to step up. We’re really matured through the summer and I feel we’ve really found our leaders and people that can step up and make a big impact this year.”

The one area that Central coach Dave Baker and his staff could feel absolutely comfortable with going into the offseason was the Dragons’ offensive line. Four of last year’s starters are back to reprise their roles and act as a foundation for everything else the Dragons will do.

Senior Ben Lovett (6-0, 180) and Jaxon Detterline (6-3, 215) return as the tackles, Caden Schenk(6-0, 210) holds down the right guard position once more and Brady Albright (6-5, 220) will once more play center.

“We’ve been working together all our lives, and it’s very important for us to do our jobs, to create some holes and protect our young quarterbacks,” Lovett said. “We know we have to take a bigger role and lead the team. We have to step up and help everybody.”

Seniors Sawyer Howard (6-3, 275) and Dylan Smith (5-10, 238) are getting looks at the left guard position that was vacated. Seniors Kasey Imler (5-10, 190) and Kasey Heidler (6-0, 240) add depth at the tackles.

The starting tight end either will be senior Wyatt May (5-9, 180) or Lukas Black (5-6, 140).

With Smith running behind that line, the Dragons should be able to turn to shorten games and wear down opponents this year if need be. Hunter Smith rushed for 534 yards last season, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

“I think our line will get us a lot of wins and will us through a lot of slow moments,” Benton said. “Those lineman got a lot of time last year and did great.”

Smith figures to be joined or occasionally spelled in the backfield by seniors Max Baker (5-7, 160) and Britton Mark (5-7, 181) or juniors Braydon Beach (5-10, 155) and Thaide Mickel (5-8, 130).

The receiving corps is deep, if inexperienced. Along with Benton (6-0, 156), there are seniors Jack Dunn (6-3, 171), Baron Dionis (5-11, 165), Nick Garver (5-10, 150), Troy Butler (5-10, 140), Kelvin Sparks (6-2, 155) and Shane Smith (6-0, 165) and juniors Jay Hoenstine (5-6, 120), Adam Baird (5-8, 140) and Austin Bassler (5-8, 140). Mickel might see action there, as well.

“I like our receivers this year. They can do a lot and are really good at what they do,” Lovett said. “And our quarterback might not be as experienced, but I think he’ll click.”

Six-two, 170-pound junior Eli Muthler was the frontrunner to take over at quarterback heading into camp, but Black is right there to step in if the opportunity arises.

“Eli Muthler’s played two years on the JV team. He’s a good athlete. He’s tall. He can throw well,” Baker said. “Lukas Black is a kid that can play other positions, but we think he’d be a competent quarterback.”

Central once again will employ a 4-3 defense. Four starters return -- Smith, Benton and the defensive tackle combination of Schenk and Howard.

Albright, Dylan Smith, Heidler and Imler also will be in the rotation on the interior part of the line, while seniors Hank Kulp (5-11, 160) and Cameron Westrick (5-9, 150)compete with May and Detterline on the ends.

The outside linebackers flanking Hunter Smith will come from the quartet of Max Baker, Beach, Black and Marko. Benton is secure at one of the defensive backs; Dunn, Muthler, Dionis, Garver, Butler, Jay Hoenstine, Mickel and Baird are vying for the other three.

“We always preach that defense wins championships, so we have to do well on the defensive side of the ball,” Hunter Smith said.

Hunter Smith once again will do the place-kicking and punting.

The schedule will have a different look this season, with the LHAC absorbing the Mountain League. The Dragons will be joined in a section by Bishop Guilfoyle and LHAC newcomers Tyrone, Bellwood-Antis and Huntingdon.

The Scarlet Dragons open the season on the road Aug. 25 against another old Mountain League rival, Bellefonte.

The assistant coaches are A.J. Hoenstine, Jerry Albright, Joe Kitt, Denny Cowher, Dave Lightner, Paul Frederick, Zach Johnson and Thad Albright. Willie Kitt, Mark Lingenfelter, Brian McCune and Dave Hoenstine coach the junior high.

“We’re comfortable with the guys we have,” Baker said of his new depth chart. “We practiced an extra five or six weeks last year, and we think we’re where we should be.”