Central York starts fresh without Livingston
Josh Oswalt knows what he is getting into as Central York's new head football coach.
He'll take the reins replacing Brad Livingston, who was fired by Central after coaching in the Panthers football program for 46 consecutive seasons, including the last 34 as head coach.
"We all know that I'm replacing a legend at Central. Brad has done a phenomenal job in building this program to where it is," said Oswalt, who is coming off an 18-46 record in six seasons at Carlisle. He led the Thundering Herd to two consecutive playoff appearances.
"The potential for doing really well here is very high," Oswalt said. "The surrounding environment, the district has a lot of great things to offer, the facilities are very good. That helps breed success in a program. You can't help but be excited.
"Looking at these guys now, they look like they have the potential to very good. Once we put the pads on, I've been with teams that look terrible out of pads, but have played really good with pads on and vice versa. I've also seen teams look good out of pads and play well in pads. I just want to see them progress."
Offense
Quarterback: Junior Joe Jones and sophomore Cade Pribula will compete for the top spot. Pribula saw time as a freshman last year, throwing for 173 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers will have to replace the graduated Nik Strine, who led the Panthers with 1,222 passing yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Running backs: Senior Noreaga Goff returns after rushing for 233 yards last season. Junior Chris Collins will also be in the mix. Last year's leading rusher, Shyheim Goff, has graduated.
Receivers: Senior Sakai Barton, who caught 19 passes for 385 yards last season, will return to lead this group. Barton will be joined by a trio of juniors in Eddie Santiago, Dustin Grim and Tim Sturgis.
"Those four have been to every workout and have really learned the offense and taken it on very well," Oswalt said.
Barton said he likes the new up-tempo offense.
"We were in more calm offense last season, and now it's more fast-paced," Barton said. "And now I've learned to push myself even harder so I can be more well-conditioned when the time comes."
Offensive line: Senior Todd Horner will anchor the line at center. Dearnie Waters, Cody Southivong, Jose Vasquez, Maurice Green and Devin Gaffney will also open holes for the Panthers.
"There's a lot of depth," Oswalt said.
Defense
Defensive line: Horner, Gaffney and Jaden Fontes will be relied on to create havoc up front.
"We made our decisions as a coaching staff before looking at film to see where we thought they should play and then watched the film and then reevaluated where to put them," Oswalt said.
Linebackers: Juniors Quinn Bacha and Kollin Vaught will man the middle of the defense for the Panthers.
Secondary: Anchoring the back end will be Barton, Jordan Bowie, Obi Anyatonwu and Drew Anderson.
Special teams
Senior Carter Luckenbaugh is back to handle the kicking duties for the Panthers.
"He knows how to kick the ball and does a darn good job of doing it," Oswalt said of Luckenbaugh, who was 22-of-23 in PAT attempts last season and also was 2-of-2 on field goal attempts.
• • •
Save the date
The Panthers will open YAIAA Division I play Sept. 23 against Northeastern. Last season, the Bobcats posted a 42-0 shutout.
Bottom line
With a new head coach, new philosophies and a new offense, it will be a season of change for the Panthers. With all of those changes, Central will be looking to rebound from a 3-7 season last year.
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In the huddle
Head coach: Josh Oswalt (first season, 18-46 in six seasons at Carlisle) (OC)
Assistant coaches: Mike Cesarano (DC), John Tuttle, George Touras, Brody Myers, Andrew Horn and Justin Sowers
Class: 6A, YAIAA Division I
Enrollment: 1,437 total (730 male)
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-4, 4-3
2016 schedule
Sept. 2 — West York at Central York, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — Cumberland Valley at Central York, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Central York at Hempfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — Central York at Northeastern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — South Western at Central York, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — Central York at New Oxford, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 — Central York at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21* — Red Lion at Central York, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 — Central York at Dallastown, 7 p.m.
Nov. 11 — William Penn at Central York, 7 p.m.
* homecoming
2015 results
W // @ West York // 31-28
L // @ Cumberland Valley // 6-48
L // Hempfield // 14-42
L // Northeastern // 42-0
L // @ South Western // 14-35
W // New Oxford // 38-19
L // Spring Grove // 14-24
L // @ Red Lion // 7-42
L // Dallastown // 14-33
W // @ William Penn // 42-0