Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Hunter Cenname
School: Waynesburg
Year: Senior
Sport: Football
Cenname’s week: The 6-0, 195-pound tailback had another big game in an Interstate Conference matchup with Charleroi. He ran for 228 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 carries. On defense, he forced two fumbles and had an interception.
When fellow senior running back John-Glen Davis exiting the game with a knee injury, Cenname took over as the every-down back and propelled the Raiders (3-2, 3-2) to victory. He had touchdown runs of 14, 63, 4 and 87 yards.
“You can’t teach the way Hunter and John run,” Waynesburg head coach Russ Moore said. “Hunter loves the contact. They’re like Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka out there. Hunter is probably Csonka with the way he runs. He loves to lower his shoulder. Those guys never lose yards.”
Playoff push: Despite two close, dramatic losses to Washington and Mt. Pleasant, Waynesburg has a shot at making the WPIAL Class AA playoffs for the first time in 11 years. With Cenname and Davis in the backfield and an offensive line playing above expectations, the Raiders have scored points with ease this season, averaging 34.2 per game.
“I think it’s been a little interesting,” Cenname said. “We lost two games we probably should have won. I think it made our team stronger. At the beginning of the season, there was a whole new offensive line compared to last year. Most people didn’t think they were going to work (well) together, but they’ve shown everyone they can.”
Pairing with Davis in the backfield, the Raiders’ running game has been one of the best in Class AA. Cenname has 807 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns, while averaging 10.2 yards per carry. Along with Davis, who has nine touchdowns while averaging 7.6 per carry, Waynesburg’s running backs make Moore’s job less stressful.
“I don’t know how many second-and-less-than-five situations we’ve had,” Moore said. “First downs are easier to pick up with those guys. Our line is developing and usually opens the way for those two to get a few yards and then they fight for the rest.”
Defense to offense: Cenname, 17, never played offense until last season, when he rushed for 683 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a defensive player, Cenname welcomed contact. He thrived on lowering his shoulder to deliver a hit.
That contact prepared him for his new role. Moore and assistant coach Dave Sarra talked this week about how far Cenname has come.
“We talked about how much he has grown up, and he’s become a confident ballplayer,” Moore said. “He’s a young senior, and he’s only going to get bigger and stronger.”
While Davis’ injury status is unknown, Cenname is going to root for his teammate to return to full health. The Raiders need both to make a strong bid to end their playoff drought. More performances such as the one Friday will help their cause.
“I feel like we have a shot at the playoffs and in the playoffs,” Cenname said. “The line plays a big part of it. They open up the holes, so it makes it easy for me.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski