By Erik Harris, sports editor
ALABASTER — Center Point head coach George Bates is eager to make history.
From left to right: Troy Bruce, George Bates, Jaden Jones and Evan Swann represent the Center Point football team on Monday at Birmingham Area Football Media Days from Thompson High School.
Photo by Erik Harris
Entering his fourth year with the Eagles, Bates says this team might be his best yet.
“I think this is going to be the most complete team we’ve had since we got there in 2018,” said Bates on Monday at Birmingham Area Football Media Days from Thompson High School. “This is my first senior class — they were freshmen when we arrived.”
“I feel like we have the best staff that we could possibly put together since we’ve been there,” he continued. “We talk about family all the time and this is the first time in our four years there that we really feel like we’re really going to reach that goal of being a family. We have arguments just like any other household, but we love each other, we play for each other and we’re there for each other.”
On Monday, Bates was joined at Media Days by junior running back Troy Bruce Jr. and seniors Jaden Jones and Evan Swann. The quartet took turns answering questions from media members, presenting a collective confidence as the Eagles attempt a fourth straight playoff appearance in 2021 — something the school has not accomplished since the late-90’s when it booked six consecutive postseason berths
“This group is used to winning games and reaching the playoffs, so we don’t even really have to talk about that,” said Bates. “Now, we want to win a region championship and host in the first round. It’s time.”
Center Point will be back in Class 5A, Region 6 play again this season against Alexandria, Corner, Hayden, Leeds, Lincoln, Moody and St. Clair County. All three players agreed on Monday: Leeds is their biggest rival. The Greenwave won last year’s game, 17-14.
The Eagles bring back an experienced offense that scored more than 40 points four times last season. Bruce, a rising junior running back, had a lot to do with that production. Bates wants to get more creative with his home run hitter this time around.
“He (Bruce) basically lined up in one spot the whole season and teams were able to identify where he was pre-snap and teams knew they could do certain things to try to take away what we were trying to do, but this year we’re going to be more diverse,” said Bates. “He’s going to get 20 to 30 touches, but that could be off a handoff, that could be off him catching a pass, that could be from him at the quarterback position, so teams are really going to have to do their homework.”
Bates also anticipates a big step forward from his returning starter at quarterback.
“We have a junior quarterback, Jabari Collier, that started seven games last year and he’s probably going to be one of the best dual-threat guys we have in the state,” said Bates. “He’s making strides. He’s the fastest kid on the team and one of the fastest kids in the district and now he’s developing as a passer.”
Time will tell if that development can carry Center Point to new heights. Bates says his goal is to notch the school’s first quarterfinal win. The Eagles are 0-4 all-time in third-round play.
