Central Square entered last season’s Section III Class AA playoffs with one loss and as the No. 2 seed. But a late Liverpool touchdown upset the Redhawks in the first round to end its season earlier than anticipated. But Central Square has changed significantly since last year.

New head coach Kevin Kalfass comes over after being offensive coordinator at Jamesville-DeWitt. The Redhawks dropped down in classification to Class A, meaning instead of being one of its class’ smaller schools, they’ll be one of its biggest. And Kalfass brings with him a triple option scheme that the players are excited about.

Here’s The Daily Orange’s preview of Central Square football for 2018.

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2017 record: 6-2

Head coach: Kevin Kalfass; first season as head coach

Driving distance from SU: 20.8 miles

Players from last year’s team who graduated: Seventeen, including second all-time leading Central Square rusher Jamie Battaglia

Notable returners:

• Senior QB/LB Nick Ransom: 510 rushing yards in 2017
• Senior TE/DE Slade Springer: 23.5 tackles for loss in Central Square career

Opening game: Saturday, Sept. 1 against Chenango Forks in the Carrier Dome at 8 p.m.

Key storylines:

• Kevin Kalfass takes over as head coach after being offensive coordinator at Jamesville-DeWitt
• The installation of the triple option offense under Kalfass
• Central Square’s drop into Class A after being upset in the first round of last season’s Class AA tournament

What they’re saying:

• Head coach Kevin Kalfass: “The seniors lead. The underclassmen follow. They worked really hard in the weight room this summer. We’re ready to go and we’re all excited at Central Square.”

• QB Nick Ransom: “A lot of the summer has mostly been learning the new offense. He’s been teaching us very well each little detail about the offense … Last year was more just run. This year is triple option with a little passing involved, so it’s different for us … The whole game you’re making decisions to either keep it or run it or pass it.”

• S Zach Havens: “New offense is outstanding. It seems to work really well with the personnel we have on this team. And it’s gonna do good things for us this year.”

• TE/DE Slade Springer: “We know how to play in the big games. Hopefully, we just have to close out games and move on.”

Published on August 29, 2018 at 9:24 pm

Contact Billy: wmheyen@syr.edu | @Wheyen3