First look at Century football 2021: Coach excited about ‘experienced, dedicated group’

Among the returning players for Century are senior Jesus Bautista. (File photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Century High’s second year football coach Dave Perkins is looking forward to coaching the Centurions led by some talented and experienced returning players.

“We will be a much different team in 2021,” Perkins said Wednesday. “We return an experienced and dedicated group. Even through this tough time, our players have hung together. Each individual player has been working out four days a week during the world’s longest dead period.”

As a result of the CIF’s revised scheduling plan moving high school football to January 2021, Century is scheduled to open the season with a home game vs. Saddleback on Friday, Jan. 8.

A number of football teams in Orange County have started athletic camps, but no date has been set yet for high school camps in Santa Ana to begin.

Perkins said the coaching staff and players have continued to communicate with each other by texting, using Zoom and other methods.

“They have stayed tight with each other,” Perkins said. “They are ready to change the perception of Century football. This is going to be a really fun year.”

Perkins said the team’s strengths are experience, speed, depth and attitude but said the squad must learn “how to finish.” Century was 0-10 in Perkins first season as head coach.

On offense, top players nclude senior quarterback Adrian Zavala and seniors and three year starters Rodrigo Aguilar and Jesus Bautista, who were all-league last year; and all-league lineman senior Kevin Quintero, receiver/running back Jonathan Simon, a junior and receiver Steven Meza, a senior. Offensive linemen returning include juniors Jaiden Beltran, Josue Cruz and Angel Cardenas.

On defense, Century has 11 returning starters, including junior defensive linemen Jose Jaramillo, Jose Zamora and Christian Reyes, junior defensive backs Alex Medina, Diego Bernal, Steve Meza and Manny Hernandez and junior linebackers Bryan Servin, Rodrigo Aguilar, Jonathan Simon and Roman Cardenas.

2021 CENTURY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan 8, vs. Saddleback (H)

Friday, Jan. 15, @ Azusa

Friday, Jan 22 at University

Friday, Jan. 29, vs Mountain View (H)

Friday, Feb. 5, vs La Quinta High (H)

Friday, Feb. 12, vs Anaheim (H)

Friday, Feb. 19, at Santa Ana Valley

Friday, Feb. 26, @ Savanna High School

Saturday, March 6, @ Magnolia

Thursday, March 11, vs. Western (H)

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