Eason not surprised by top-ranked AA Central's 6-0 start
Eagles take to road to face Andrew Jackson in key Region 4-AA matchup on October 17
Pageland – The Central High School football team is off to quite the start. The Eagles won their first six games on the season and won their first two games in Region 4-AA. They are also ranked No. 1 in the High School Sports Report AA poll
It has been a while since the tradition-rich program has gotten off to a start like this. So, has it come as a surprise?
“Honestly, no,” said Central head coach Jonathan Eason. “Our guys worked really hard in the offseason with the goal of having a great season. We have 25 seniors that have been good leaders.”
The Eagles, who were 10-3 a season ago, have been dominant. They have outscored their foes 232-77 after a 56-10 win over Buford on October 3.
Central had a bye week on October 10 and will travel to Kershaw on October 17 to face Andrew Jackson High. Both teams are unefeated in region play.
“So far we have played up to expectations,” Eason said. “There are plenty of things we can continue to work on to get better though.”
Central was averaging over 400 yards of total offense through the first six games. It was averaging 282 rushing yards a contest.
The Eagles spread the wealth with the running game. Senior Aiden Short is the leading rusher with 432 yards and six touchdowns on just 41 carries. Senior Ashten Wilson had 301 yards and three scored on 43 carries, senior Jakari Holloman had 297 yards and six TDs on 26 carries and junior quarterback Dwayne Louallen Jr. had 233 yards and three TDs on 43 carries.
Louallen was only putting the ball up about 15 times a game with 74 passes. However, he was very effective, connecting on 48 of them for 625 and five scores while throwing no interceptions.
Senior Taveon Moore was the top pass catcher with 15 receptions for 215 yards and one touchdown. Short had 12 catches or 152 yards and a touchdown.
Eason said the most pleasant surprise to the season to date has been the performance of the defensive line.
“We were replacing every starter but one,” he said. “Eric Maddox, (Marzavious) Zee Allen, Isaiah Tyson, Tahir Wise and Timmy Tyson have played well.”
Maddox, a senior, had 20 tackles and six tackles for loss, junior Timmy Tyson had 12 tackles and five TFLs, senior Isaiah Tyson had 12 tackles and one TFL, Wise, a sophomore, had seven tackles and Allen, a junior, had nine tackles and three TFLs.
Holloman, a linebacker, was leading the team in both tackles and TFLs with 34 and 12, respectively. Senior outside linebacker Marques Allen was close behind in tackles with 32 to go with five TFLs.
Central had 12 sacks with Holloman and Zee Allen leading the way with three apiece. Junior safety Aidan Welch had two interceptions.
Eason doesn’t believe the Eagles will be affected by the early success as the season moves toward the playoffs. He’s just hoping all of the pieces stay in order.
“We have to stay healthy and finish the season strong,” said Eason, who is a Central graduate. “I believe the (No.) 1 seed is very important.
“They are handling it well. The goal is tp be 1 at the end of the season. Being up there now is nice, but it doesn’t really mean anything.”
