The chance to guide the football program back to greatness brought last year’s Benson head coach, Terrance Mackey, and 12 of his former Benson players to Central.  

“I came to Central because it’s a great school with a lot of supportive people,” Mackey said. “There is great history for the football program and a lot of talented players, and I think we can do some great things here.” 

Mackey accepted the job in March and brought five of his Benson staff members with him.   

Mackey’s hire is paying off. With a 2-3 record, the team has already won more games in 2023 than in 2022 with half the season still to go. 

Mackey said the team started training last spring and everyone has bought into the program and his coaching style so far. “This program has a lot of hard workers, and the transfers are also having a great season so far,” he said.  

Among the 12 transfers, senior outside linebacker Kevon Newsome has made a great impact. Last year for Benson he was an All-Metro player. This year he leads the team in tackles, ranking in the top 10 in the state.  

“Coming to Central has been a great change,” Newsome said. “The environment is great here; the student section is always full, and the teachers and coaches are very supportive.”  

Players all agreed the main reason they came to Central was because of Mackey’s coaching style and the environment at Central. “My mom always wanted me to go to Central,” Newsome said. “When I heard my teammates and coaches were coming here it was no question to follow.”  

For junior Anthony Liggins, his decision to become an Eagle was also an easy one. “My best friends were all coming here so I knew I had to follow,” Liggins said. “It’s amazing here, playing with all my friends and being surrounded by a great winning culture both on and off the field.”  

Four of the team’s starters are Benson transfers. One of those starting transfers, sophomore receiver Deshawn Prince, already has a scholarship offer to Nebraska. He said he appreciates and respects his Central coaches. “They have been my coaches for several years now so where they go, I go,” Prince said. “I’m locked in with them.”  

 Mackey said it’s important that the players and staff have mutual respect. 

“The players know we care about their grades and how their day is going and that the coaching staff cares about them as not only players but as people,” he said. 

Mackey, a graduate of Benson, said he will always love his alma mater, but he is all Eagle now. “We don’t consider ourselves Benson now,” Mackey said. “We are all Central with one goal of making it to the playoffs and making this program one we can all be proud of.”