prep football preview:

Centennial ready for breakout season

Sam Morris

Centennial football player Chris Henderson.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Centennial High coach George Baker feels his team has the potential for a breakout season.

The Bulldogs missed the playoffs last year in the tough Northwest Division in finishing 4-6 overall, but the season wasn’t a complete loss.

Centennial’s freshman and junior varsity squads both went undefeated last year, which means there is a large influx of talented young players moving up through the Bulldogs’ system.

“Right now we are looking for a pretty breakout season,” Baker said. “… The keys to our season this year are pretty much going to be the young kids stepping up.”

Those young players will also benefit from the senior leadership of quarterback and cornerback Chris Henderson.

Henderson, who operates a difficult spread offense for Centennial, threw for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while running for 317 yards.

An improved offensive line and the addition of Arizona transfer Tony Riggins at running back will help free Henderson to control the offense.

Baker even said he might utilize Henderson’s athletic skills in other positions.

“Tony Riggins was a surprise transfer and he is a very talented young man,” Baker said. “We’re expecting big things out of him as well as Chris (Henderson). He might not always line up at quarterback, but he will really show some people what he can do this season.”

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.

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