By John Goolsby, For the Tribune
CENTER POINT – The 2022 Center Point Eagles shocked the state last year.
After jumping to 6A from 5A, the Eagles finished the regular season at 8-1, region runner-up, and ranked 8th in the state.
The Eagles must replace the dynamic duo of Troy Bruce, Jr. and Jabari Collier on offense. “We are going to see backfield by committee this year,” said Center Point head coach George Bates. “We may have to generate more drives without the big plays until the guys get more experience.”
“Collectively, we are going to hang our hat on defense,” he said. “We will play ball control on offense and pick our spots (for big plays) and be sound in the kicking game,” Bates said.
“We are going to win; we are just going to win differently this year.”
Winning is something that Bates has done consistently at Center Point. Before Bates’ arrival, the Eagles had won only three games in four years. Bates has put together a 40-20 record and made the playoffs all five years he’s been at the helm.
“We want to see if we can measure up to the success we had last year,” the 1998 Midfield graduate said. “It’s a chance to see how we will stack up in the region this year with teams getting better.”
Bates is depending on the leadership and play of his senior class to lead the Eagles to their fifth consecutive winning season and six consecutive playoff appearance.
Malik Brown, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker, will anchor the Eagle defense. Brown has offers from Alabama State, Tuskegee, Lane College, Howard and Stetson.
Bates is excited about nose guard B’cari Pope, a first-year starter that has been with the team for two years. “He’s an athletic guy that we are pretty high on.”
Camron Bonner, a three-year starter, and Kemarius Horne, also a three-year starter, will provide a great deal of experience in the secondary.
Jaheem Nathan returns on the offensive line. “He’s a wrestler by trade and just a nasty guy in the trenches,” Bates said.
Center Point looks to have the foundation to be good for the next few years.
“We are a junior-heavy team. The junior class is reallytalented,” Bates said. “Most of our skill positions are in the junior class.”
“We have a couple of big guys in the sophomore class and we will see a couple of freshmen get some time this year, too.”
The Eagles travel to Decatur, Mississippi, to play Tylertown High in Bill and Louise Bailey Stadium on the campus of East Central Community College in the season opener on August 25.