Central returns to 2A football title game

COLUMBIA — Central coach Joey Mangum’s message to his team at the start of year was simple.

“I told them we have to have faith,” Mangum said. “We have to believe in each other and we have to believe that if we work hard, things will work out.”

But even Mangum didn’t believe things would work out as well as they have for the Eagles.

Despite losing 23 seniors and the bulk of their offense and defense, the Eagles’ lack of experience was apparently never an issue.

Central went 12-2, undefeated in Region 4-2A and the Eagles are riding a nine-game winning streak as they enter Saturday’s Class 2A state championship game at Williams-Brice with another shot at knocking off the Dillon Wildcats.

“It’s been a really special group of kids, in some ways more special than the team we had last year,” Mangum said. “These kids believed in what we were doing and what we were teaching.

“You could honestly see them get better every week, and that’s why we’re here.”

Wins over North Carolina schools Anson County and Forest Hills gave the Eagles some confidence early on, but the team faced a turning point after back-to-back losses to county rivals Cheraw and Chesterfield.

“I think there was a lot of doubt after those games,” senior defensive lineman Kegan Funderburk said. “You didn’t really know how the season was going to go after that.

“But we came together in practice and refocused on doing the little things right. After that, we started winning games and just carried that momentum into the playoffs.”

After a 3-2 start, the Eagles never looked back, outscoring opponents 310-98 during their last nine games. Central, as always, has relied on a punishing defense and a grind-it-out rushing attack.

Mardu Smith leads the team with 1,203 rushing yards, but the Eagles boast eight ball carriers who have rushed for 130 yards or more this season.

“That’s what we do,” said tight end turned offensive lineman Darius Gladden. “I think that’s part of what helped us be so successful this year. It’s the same basic offense we run from the rec leagues to middle school.

“Guys were able to step in and not miss a beat.”

But unlike most years, the Eagles’ passing attack has been a strength this season as well.

New starting quarterback Jowan Henderson has thrown for 929 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding a new wrinkle to the offense.

“We’re a running team,” Funderburk said, “but we can throw the ball if we need to. Before, if it was third and 15, we’d still run the ball, but now we have a different option. It just gives the defense something else to think about.”

Like last year, Mangum and his team are expecting a defensive struggle that will likely come down to a few key plays.

Special teams and turnovers will obviously play a big part, Mangum added.

“We’re hoping it’s low scoring,” Mangum said. “Last year’s game basically came down to our offensive line couldn’t stop their defensive line, and really kinda vice versa. They were able to get on touchdown, and we missed and extra point. We have to limit those kinds of mistakes.

“We have to contain them on defense, keep them from getting a big play, and make sure we can sustain some offensive drives and not go three and out so much.”

With Dillon’s speed at most skill positions, making sure the Wildcats don’t break into the open field will be key as well, senior defensive lineman Jerel Blakeney said.

“We have to get 11 hats to the ball, like we have been all year,” Blakeney said. “They’ve got a great team. We just have to continue to do the things that have made us successful to this point.