With Central York Football only returning three starters on offense from last year and two on defense, this 2022 season is forthcoming with a challenge. The pressure this season is at an all-time high for the Panthers. 

Last year some of Central’s starting players and captains graduated and headed off to play college football. “Four of our captains leaving us affected us big time, they were all of our mentors and the people we looked up to most,” said Danny Pham, a senior captain. 

For the first time, there was uncertainty at the most critical position of the sport, quarterback. That job now rests on the shoulders of senior Nasir Still. With Central York’s biggest shoes to fill, Beau Pribula playing at Penn State now. 

“Pribula leaving affected the team a lot because of the leadership that he brought to the team and now one of the biggest things the boys lack is leadership,” Coach Micheal Cesarano explained. 

With many starting graduates leaving the past two years, many young players had to step up and fill their spots.

“This year our biggest adjustment was preparing many new players that aren’t nearly as experienced,” Pham said. 

The team is standing its ground this season and proving many wrong. Even with three starting linemen being out with injuries, against Northeastern, the Panthers won 56-14. 

“Injuries have been our main issue this season, with three of our starting line players hurt,” Pham said. 

On top of their other challenges, injuries are mounting. 

“The offense line is being shortened due to injuries which are now affecting the defensive line,” Cesarano explained. 

All of the hard work the team has put in to prepare is speaking for itself. Currently, the team is 8-1. 

“Every day since last November we have had some sort of training or practice for at least two hours a day, every day,” exclaimed Pham.

Despite challenges, and uncertainty, Central York Football is fulfilling its expectations this season. 

“Every year I expect the team to make it farther than we did last year,” said Coach Cesarano.