The Central Kings Gators have gone undefeated so far this season and host the Northeast Kings Education Centre Titans in the championship game next Sunday.
Following their 24 to 2 playoff victory against Millwood Nov. 6, head coach Larry Priestnall said the Gators would advance to the championship game against the Northeast Kings Education Centre (NKEC) Titans. Central Kings will host the game in Cambridge Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Priestnall said NKEC would be “in for some surprises.”
Priestnall credits the dedication of his players and coaching staff for chalking up nine wins and going undefeated.
“I have to attribute the dedication of the coaches and the hard work and what they taught these kids at CK this year, I think they did a fantastic job,” Priestnall said.
He said the Gators have some good athletes, including Connor Ross, a “big, brutal running back” who “motors over people.” They’ve had some good offensive line this year and they’re a young team. They have 23 players returning next season.
With regard to the Millwood Knights, Priestnall said his Gators went out, ran the ball and kept pounding away at the opposition in spite of a couple of injuries to key players. Defence played well, adapting to Millwood’s game. When it comes to offence, Priestnall said, “we got here on the run, we’ll stay with the run.”
“The boys played well but they’re definitely a second-half team,” Priestnall said. “If we can get through the first half, we’re fine for the second half, that’s the way I look at it.”
Micah McDowell, who plays safety and corner, agreed that defence played great against Millwood and offence did a great job moving the ball.
“Connor Ross, our fullback, he’s constantly moving the ball, great game for him,” the 15-year-old Coldbrook resident said.
McDowell said it feels great to go undefeated all season but they couldn’t look past NKEC. The Gators will be practicing hard, cleaning up their offence and getting “ready to go.”
“They’re a tough team but I think we can win that,” McDowell said.
Ross, a 17-year-old Coldbrook resident, said hard work was the reason for the win over Millwood.
“Our ‘O’ line just dug deep and had a game,” Ross said.
The Gators struggled starting off but Ross said the head coach gave them a good speech during half time and the offensive line responded.
“They’re not bigger, they’ve just got a bigger heart,” Ross said. “They battled through and did what they needed to do.”
Defence played well and everything clicked for the Gators. Ross said the team is athletic, fast, young and everybody is eager to learn. They all love the game and want to embrace it. Ross believes this is why they went undefeated.
Looking ahead to the championship game, Ross said they have to get back to basics and get their timing down. NKEC is going to hit them harder than any other team to date. The Titans have heart and excellent coaching.
“NKEC’s good, they’re fast, they’re strong and they’re physical,” Ross said. “I think this week at practice we’ve just got to get focused more, we’ve just got to get mentally prepared.”
Click here for a photo slideshow from the Central Kings playoff game against Millwood.
