Get Your Popcorn Ready!!!!! Central State Football has returned for another season. The Marauders open their season up August 28^th against West Virginia State University in a rematch from the Chicago Classic of last year. There have been many changes to the program but the hunger within the players is still burning inside. Returning coaches, Darrel Suber and Carl Powell (7 year pro career Colts, Ravens, Bears, Redskins, and Bengals), round out a staff of more than 34 years of NFL experience. The Marauders are led by head coach E.J. Junior, former 4^th overall pick who spent 13 seasons in the league with the Cardinals, Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Seahawks who has his eye on the prize and is determined to make Central a household name it once was. Coach Junior has surrounded himself with a staff that could resemble a fantasy football team. The offense is led by former five time pro bowler and Super Bowl winner (Baltimore Ravens) Ben “Winter” Coates as ESPN's Chris Berman would call him. Assisting Coach Coates on the offensive side of the ball is seven year veteran and recently appearing in HBO's critically acclaimed football show Hard Knocks Coach Larry Moore. Coach Ron Carpenter, a five-year veteran and Super Bowl winner with the St. Louis Rams handling the defensive backs joins Coach Suber and Powell on the defense. A familiar face is also on the staff former head coach Al West has lent his expertise to the running backs looking to be the teacher that he always has been.

 

Since the coaching change, I have been in constant contact with the players on their thoughts on the season and what their feeling on the new staff is. Senior defensive back Marvell Conner stated, “I feel that this season could be one for the ages, so expect big things from us.” Dubbed as the slogan for this season by the players “The Year of the State”, there has been a very big buzz around campus on this season and what the fans expect. I asked Senior Wide Receiver, Evan Wallace what his thought on the coaching staff was and he responded “they work us hard, but we respect the methods because they have been at the level that we are striving to get to.” Stay tuned all season for the Marauders, this could be monumental!!