A new day dawns at Central High School

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Football preview

Sam Scott

INDEPENDENCE -- It's a brand new day for the Central football team -- in more ways than one.

The Panthers begin 2010 minus 18 seniors who graduated after last season. That group includes former quarterback Grant Hedrick, now at Boise State, and many other players who were key contributors to the program for years.

But Central also can shed its tag as nomads when the 2010 season opens. After years of playing home games at Western Oregon and various other points around the Willamette Valley, the team now has its own on-campus playing site. Panther Stadium, part of the bond measure passed in 2008, was built this summer and will be unveiled in the Sept. 3 opening against Sisters.

"I feel really optimistic about the kids we have coming back and those who are filling in for the 18 seniors we lost," CHS coach Shane Hedrick said. "That being said, we have a lot of kids who need to gain experience very quickly. We only have nine days to practice before our first game. We can't afford to waste any time."

The most prominent question swirling about the Panthers is who will replace Hedrick at quarterback. The answer is junior left-hander and Opie Taylor-lookalike Tanner Omlid, who helped the basketball team win the Class 4A title last winter.

"I'm really excited to see the development of Tanner Omlid at quarterback," Hedrick said. "He was kept in the shadows a little bit with Grant at quarterback. He didn't get a lot of playing time. But with the type of athlete he is and the motivation he has, he could be one of the top quarterbacks at the 4A level. Time will tell, but he has all the ingredients to be a high-quality quarterback."

Omlid, as a sophomore, certainly proved his worth during the 2009-2010 basketball season.

At first, he walked around the court in an almost sheepish fashion, as if he was afraid to bump into an upperclassmen. But it soon became apparent Omlid not only belonged on the varsity squad, but he also was one of the best players on a team that would go on to capture state.

"He might be one of the most confident men I've coached in a long time," Hedrick said. "It showed in the championship game. When the game was still on the line, he stole the ball and went down and dunked it. Not many sophomores would have done that. It shows the confidence that he has."

If things go according to plan, Omlid will be throwing early and often to senior Ty Phillips. Phillips is a great athlete and the team's fastest player.

"Ty is going to be one of the elite athletes in the state of Oregon," Hedrick said. "Knowing that, we're going to have to do everything we can to put the ball in Ty's hands and let him make plays. He's very gifted. He's proven that since his sophomore year. We want to put the ball in his hands and let him go."

Running back Aidan Braa-Stanley returns after injuring a knee in the playoff game last season against Scappoose. That came a week before the Panthers were eliminated from the postseason by eventual state champion Marist.

"Aidan getting hurt against Scappoose might have been the difference in us not winning the state championship," Hedrick said. "We were darn close to beating Marist without him, and having him might have made that much of a difference. He's an exceptional running back, and he's been playing in our system for two years now."

Central's other prominent returning player is linebacker-tight end Marcus McArdle. He has earned all-league honors as a sophomore and junior.

"Marcus is looking very good," Hedrick said. "He's done everything you want a senior to do heading into his last year. He's been a great leader. He has great work ethic. He's shown promise for another great year."

Anthony Padilla has worked himself into the mix at receiver with some strong play this summer.

Experienced hands in the trenches include guard-defensive tackle Chris Parks, tackle-defensive tackle Will Miller and center-guard Daniel Reynero.

Junior King was the MVP for the junior varsity basketball team last winter and will get a look at tackle and inside linebacker.

Phillips will anchor the defensive backfield at free safety.

Donavon Hampton and Andrew Hasbrook are expected to see time at defensive back. Hasbrook also could get some time at wide receiver.

Central has won the past three Val-Co Conference titles, but will not be able to stretch the streak to four this season. The Val-Co disappeared in the Oregon School Activities Association's latest realignment, and the Panthers now are in the Oregon West Conference along with Taft, Newport, Philomath, Stayton and Cascade.

"Our first goal is we want to win the Oregon West Conference," Hedrick said. "The second goal is to still be playing in December. It's kind of a combination goal to have no on-field or off-field issues. At the same time, we want to be a very fundamentally sound football team."