The Basics:
Head coach: Jim Pusateri
Last season’s record: 0-6
Stadium: Bears Den
The Olympics were this year and to honor the Tokyo Games ‘21, we will have a numbering system in Gold, Silver and Bronze when it comes to ranking guarantees, non-guarantees and players.
Guarantees for the ’21 campaign
Gold. Throwing the football more. Wasn’t something Central did a lot of last year but will now under Pusateri.
Silver. More players are coming out. The Bears have already close to over 40 players and counting.
Bronze. Not putting all of the load on running back Peyton Chancey. There will be other options.
What the Bears can’t guarantee in ‘21
Gold. A winning season. A lot to ask of a rebuilding program.
Silver. For Pusateri to have it all figured out by Week 1. He was literally just named head coach. He’s still learning names of players.
Bronze. To beat a county opponent. Most winnable games for Central are against out-of-county opponents.
Who can be the figureheads in ‘21?
A look at some of the key figures in the Bears’ ’21 campaign:
Top offensive player: RB Peyton Chancey. Was the team’s leading rusher and receiver last season. Could be that again in 2021.
Primary defensive skill player: DB Keyshawn Simmons. The Fivay transfer brings experience to the defense and ability. Fits nicely with the Bears.
Signal caller: QB Evan Spears. Ready or not, Spears will need to be able to throw the ball around the yard.
Central 2021 schedule
8/27 at Eustis Panthers
9/3 at Lake Weir Hurricanes
9/10 Tavares Bulldogs
9/17 Land O’ Lakes Gators
9/24 at Anclote Sharks
10/1 Osceola Seminoles
10/8 Gulf Buccaneers
10/15 at Springstead Eagles
10/29 Umatilla Bulldogs
11/5 at Citrus Hurricanes
Prediction: If there’s anyone who’s walking into one of the toughest situations of any North Suncoast team, it’s got to be Jim Pusateri at Central. The former Cornerstone Charter head coach has his work cut out for him. He didn’t have quite an idea of what his team does good (or bad), but knows he wants to throw the ball more. Somewhere in the 10-game season, there’s a win the Bears should be able to notch. 1-9 seems feasible.
