Central begins quest for Class A Division I state title at home against Marion
Eason hopes bye week helps Eagles recooperate after tough end of season
Pageland – The shot at a perfect season has fallen by the wayside for the Central High School football team. That dream came to an end with a 48-34 loss to Cheraw in the regular-season finale.
Ah, but the ultimate prize is still very much on the table for the Eagles: a Class A Division I state championship.
CHS finished in a 3-way tie for first in Region 5 along with Cheraw and Lamar. Central is the No. 2 overall seed in the DI state playoffs. It received a first-round bye and will play host to Marion. a 33-7 winner over Andrews, on November 13.
Eagles head coach Jonathan Eason believes a run at a title is a possibility for his 9-1 team.
“For us to make a playoff run, we need to get healthy and fix our mistakes,” said Eason, who guided CHS to the AA lower state championship contest last season “I feel like when we are playing well, then we can play with anyone.”
It can be argued Central had already played two playoff games with its final two regular-season contests. Prior to the Cheraw game, the Eagles beat Lamar, the defending Class A state runner-up, 40=30.
Because of that, Eason isn’t upset that CHS had a bye before preparing for a playoff run.
“I think the bye will be very useful for us,” said Eason, whose team is one of only two teams to receive a first-round bye in the DI playoffs, the other being No. 1 seed and defending Class A state champion Bamberg-Ehrhardt. “We have played a couple of really physical games, and we need a chance to get back as healthy as possible.”
Eason hopes his players will use the loss to Cheraw to its advantage in preparation for the playoffs.
“We knew we were going against a good team in a good atmosphere,” he said. “Cheraw showed us that we are beatable and if we don't have a great week, then we can lose.
“It definitely made us realize that we have somethings to work on. We will have to correct our mistakes, or we will be out of the playoffs quickly.”
Not if senior 4-year starting quarterback Dwayne Louallen Jr. has anything to do with it. Eason turned him loose in the last two games and he posted tremendous numbers.
In the win over Lamar, Louallen picked up 196 yards and scored four times on 21 carries. He had 145 yards and two more scores through the air, connecting on 10 of 19 passes. Against Cheraw, Louallen rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and completed 7 of 13 passes for 154 yards and two more touchdowns.
“Dwayne Louallen is one of the best players in the state,” Eason said. “We're lucky that he plays for us. He is one of the best athletes in the state, and he works hard. He is going to be a great college player for someone.”
Louallen has completed 86 of 141 passes for 1,413 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season while rushing for 909 yards and 16 scores.
Senior Zavious Allen leads in rushing with 1,126 yards and 12 scores on 105 carries. Junior Jayden Robinson has 434 yards and two TDs on 47 carries.
The leading pass catcher is senior Blake Sowell with 21 for 321 yards and five scores. Senior Aiden Welch has 20 catches for 415 yards and four touchdowns, senior Darin Gaines has 17 receptions for 278 yards and five TDs, and senior tight end Cody Branham has 10 catches for 96 yards and one score.
Sophomore defensive lineman Dayleon Fair leads the defense in tackles for loss with 11. Sophomore linebacker Jaylen Davis is the leading tackler with 75 while senior defensive back Dylan Tomberlin has 50 to go with a team high four interceptions. Senior defensive lineman Keelan Meadows leads in quarterback sacks with three.
