Everything you ever wanted to know about the Pickerington Central Tigers.
Inside the Tigers
•Coach: Jay Sharrett, 20th season
•Top players: Rasheem Biles (DB/WR), Elijah Carter (LB), Isaiah Crozier (DB/WR), Brock Egan (OL/DL), Kobi Gorman (DL/LB/TE), R.J. Keuchler (WR/LB/P), Braden Mantooth (QB), Kasey Middendorf (WR) and Keilan Smith (OL/DL)
•Key losses: Kobe Asamoah, Reece Brancifort, C.J. Doggette, Dakari Frazier, Tyler Gillison, Isaiah Henderson, Kyle Imboden, Olando Kamara and Sonny Styles
As a way to celebrate the 20th year since the district split into two high schools, Pickerington Central has invited alumni to attend its opener Aug. 19 at home against Olentangy Liberty.
Although it will mark just the third time during that span that the Tigers haven’t played either a road game or at a neutral site to begin the season, it doesn’t mean anything significant has changed with their philosophy.
As has been the case throughout coach Jay Sharrett’s tenure, which began the same year as the district split, Central expects to be as prepared and as deep and talented as any team in Ohio.
The current group’s belief in the program’s philosophies has been evident to Sharrett since shortly after the Tigers had a five-year run of making it to at least a Division I state semifinal snapped last fall with a 21-14 triple-overtime loss to Upper Arlington in the Region 3 final.
“One thing I really like is that morale is really high,” Sharrett said. “Morale is different than excitement. Excitement comes and goes. This was a grind. Starting in January, we worked all the way through the whole month of June because we got out of school in the middle of May. Morale is different because you come in and do your workouts and do the stuff you do when you might not feel like it. (We lost last year) in the fourth round of the playoffs, and what’s neat about it is that if we do this right, we’ll be in this cramped, small locker room hopefully pushing into deep November again this year.”
There were 25 seniors a year ago when Central avenged a 13-10 overtime loss to Pickerington North in the regular season by beating the Panthers 27-7 in a regional semifinal before losing to UA to finish 12-2.
In addition, defensive back Sonny Styles graduated a year early and is now playing for Ohio State.
There are 40 seniors on this year's roster, including a pair of Division I commits in Rasheem Biles (DB/WR/RB) and Kobi Gorman (DL/TE/WR), who are heading to Pittsburgh and Miami University, respectively.
“We’re starting to come together as a group,” Biles said. “We should definitely go farther than last year. Our expectations are way higher and there’s a lot of motivation because we’re trying to get to the state championship this year. Everybody wants to start for Pickerington Central, so the harder you work, the better you’re going to get, and everybody is getting better.”
Mantooth to pace balanced offense for Pickerington Central
Senior Braden Mantooth returns at quarterback after completing 102 of 169 passes for 1,068 yards with eight touchdowns and rushing for 318 yards and two touchdowns on 86 carries.
Seniors Kasey Middendorf and Ethan Pinkins, who had 12 and 13 catches, respectively, should be among the leaders of a deep receiving corps that also should feature seniors Derek Grimes, Xavier Mattox and Gavin Meek.
Gorman, a two-way starter since his freshman season, is at tight end. Senior R.J. Keuchler also figures to play a key role at tight end and receiver.
Senior Knowledge Gray is projected to be the No. 1 running back after rushing for 183 yards last year, but Biles and Middendorf also should be options.
Seniors Brock Egan and Keilan Smith are the top returnees on the line and are at center and left tackle, respectively, but Sharrett also has been impressed with the growth of junior Justin Terry at left guard. Senior Mamoon Choudhry is expected to be at right guard, with senior Blair McMurray at right tackle.
“We’ve got some new guys on the offensive line, but I think they’re going to do very well,” Mantooth said. “I think we had what it takes to win a state title last year, so for me, it’s a motivating factor to show what we have coming back and to prove why we’re one of the best teams in central Ohio and the state.”
Biles, Gorman among leaders for Tigers defense
Biles and Gorman, both of whom made 89 tackles last season, should line up at free safety and tackle, respectively, in most of Central’s schemes.
“Our team is starting to get a really close bond with each other and starting to know where everyone is at on the field,” Gorman said. “Our coaches do a really good job of preparing us to win.”
Senior Troy Lane, who won the 100 and 200 meters and ran on the championship 400 relay at the Division I state track and field meet in June, had 65 tackles and five sacks and is at safety.
Senior Isaiah Crozier, who had two interceptions, and senior Zavion Mattox are at cornerback.
Braylen Landrum should be among the key linemen along with Gorman and senior Gino Williams, who had 54 tackles last season.
Senior Elijah Carter should lead the linebacker unit after finishing with 39 tackles and two tackles for loss last season.
Harper, Goulet lead Tigers special teams
Senior Isaiah Harper, who also figures to contribute in the secondary, should be among the top members of the return unit. Last season, he returned six kickoffs, including one for a touchdown, and 13 punts.
Junior Terrance Alexander and Pinkins are other options in the return game.
Sophomore Carson Goulet is the top returnee at kicker after making 20 extra points and one field goal. He also is an option at punter.
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