'They want to do well': Centennial looking to run the table in 2024 season

Centennial is looking to meet its standards this season.

There was much promise surrounding the Hawks when they entered the 2023 6A playoffs. They finished 7-3, went undefeated in district play, won the District 3/4-6A title and earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

However, Centennial’s playoff campaign quickly crashed out. The Hawks were defeated in the quarterfinals by Las Cruces, a team they beat two weeks prior for the district title. A rematch in the semifinals with eventual state champions La Cueva loomed after defeating the Storm in the regular season, but Centennial didn’t get the chance.

Now, the Hawks are hoping for more in 2024.

“We want to improve… We want to be better than when we started,” said Centennial coach Aaron Ocampo. “We want our kids to come together close as a group… And we can work to being a really good team again.”

The Hawks spent their 2024 offseason focusing on “a little bit of everything.” Constant practice on Centennial’s scheme was the primary emphasis as Ocampo wants every player to be as comfortable as possible while playing.

He also wanted to spend time with new players or players in a different role to make sure they’re ready for the season.

“We wanted to get our kids a lot of practice repetition,” Ocampo said. “Hopefully when we get to game time, those guys are just acting off of all the reps they had and they’re not apprehensive about what they've got to do.”

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One player in a new role is senior quarterback Zaiden Davis. After transitioning from linebacker and starting four games at quarterback, Davis will be the Hawks’ full-time starter this season.

Davis threw for 512 yards and four touchdowns in those starts, giving Ocampo confidence he can take on the role in 2024.

“He only played four games, but he was highly successful in those four games,” Ocampo said. “He’ll be key for us on offense this season.”

Davis’ primary receiver will be senior wide receiver Jordan Lucas, who led the Hawks with 455 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns last season. Also returning is senior running back Rudy Rios, who garnered 41 carries while battling injuries in 2023.

Another player moving positions is senior Luke Matherly, who transitions from offensive line to tight end. Matherly earned second-team All-State honors from the New Mexico High School Coaches Association at his former position, but Ocampo believes he’ll be better as a pass-catcher.

Despite Matherly’s change, the Hawks’ offensive line is bolstered by the returns of junior offensive tackles Lorenzo Mendietta and Devin Salas and senior center Sultan Arenas. Mendietta and Salas both started as sophomores last season, while Arenas has been a stalwart on Centennial’s offensive line since 2022.

“They’ll do a lot of things for us this season,” Ocampo said. “I think we have a well-rounded group on offense."

The Hawks also return key defensive players, including two of their starting cornerbacks in seniors Omar Terrones and Omar Sanchez. Terrones led Centennial with four interceptions and recorded 46 tackles last season, while Sanchez tallied 45 tackles. The secondary is further bolstered by senior safety Mychael Ortiz, a rangy playmaker on defense.

The most important returner may be senior defensive tackle Abel Gonzalez, who was a first-team All-State selection by the NMHSCA in 2023. Gonzalez earned three sacks from the interior last season and brings much-needed power to the trenches.

“He’s been a four-year starter for us, and he’s a really solid player,” Ocampo said.

Ocampo has been impressed with his team’s dedication, believing it can combine with his team’s talent to take Centennial far.

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“They're good athletes, and they're driven kids,” Ocampo said. “They want to do well. They're the types that go do extra work. Most of the time, they're coming locked into practice. I think our kids just have a lot of desire to be good.”

Ocampo hopes on-field goals aren’t the only accomplishments this season, as he wants the Hawks to play as a “family” more than most. But, he believes another district title and a state championship would be the culmination of that identity.

“We want to have a family atmosphere,” Ocampo said. “I think that’s the thing that we really have to focus on. Winning district and winning state are the main goals, but there's a lot that goes into it. Right now, we can't do either of those two things without having that atmosphere.”

Centennial Hawks

Head coach: Aaron Ocampo (12th season)

2023 record: 7-3 (5-0 District 3/4-6A)

2023 result: District champions, lost in 6A quarterfinals vs Las Cruces

Base offense: Multiple

Base defense: 3-4 Multiple

Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)

Top returners: QB Zaiden Davis, WR Jordan Lucas, C Sultan Arenas, TE/DL Luke Matherly, DT Abel Gonzalez, CB Omar Terrones, S Mycheal Ortiz

Season schedule

• *denotes District 3-6A game
• Aug. 23 — at Cleveland, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 31 — at Atrisco Heritage, 1 p.m.
• Sept. 7 — Artesia, 1 p.m.
• Sept. 13 — Rio Rancho, 7 p.m.
• Sept. 19 — vs Carlsbad, 7 p.m.*
• Oct. 4 — at Alamogordo, 7 p.m.*
• Oct. 11 — Hobbs, 7 p.m.*
• Oct. 18 — at Organ Mountain, 7 p.m.*
• Oct. 25 — at Clovis, 7 p.m.*
• Nov. 1 — Las Cruces, 7 p.m.*

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 'They want to do well': Centennial looking to run the table in 2024 season