Prep football preview: R.A. Long vs. Centralia
NON-LEAGUE GAME
WHEN, WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium, Centralia HS
LAST YEAR: R.A. Long 3-7; Centralia 3-6.
GAME NOTES: Despite a losing record, R.A. Long made the district playoffs, losing to Black Hills 40-14. Dick Abrams returns to his alma mater to take over as head coach. He has two decades of experience as a head coach, most recently at Monroe. Sophomore Owen Enriquez returns at QB. He saw significant playing time as a freshman when injury forced him into the starting lineup. He’ll play behind an experienced, senior-led offensive line. Centralia placed fourth in the 2A Evergreen Conference, losing to Hockinson 54-14 in the district playoffs. Centralia coach Matt Hankins believes this is the best team, on paper, that he’s had in his four years at Centralia. Last year was a very uneven season for the Tigers. Five times, Centralia failed to score more than 10 points in a game. But three games, the Tigers scored at least 28, including a 41-40 win over Columbia River. This is the first meeting of the two teams since 2011.
FANS’ PICK: Centralia, 58 percent (as of 8 a.m. Thursday)
PREP PROLETARIAT PICK: Click here
