Centennial football coach Mike Diggins said he heard preseason projections that his Cougars would not win a game.
Yet the Cougars are 4-1, thanks in large part to a stingy defense. The unit has pitched 11 consecutive quarters of shutout football, including blankings of Armstrong and Anoka.
"Our defense is playing really well," Diggins said. "We switched our defensive scheme this year but we have an older group of kids who responded really well."
The Cougars are getting the most out of some new faces plugged into an alignment of four linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs to better counter spread offenses.
Linebacker Max Cory, a converted quarterback, and fellow linebacker Michael Major are playing at an "all-conference, all-state kind of level," Diggins said.
Defensive tackle Kodie Sickmann, a former tight end playing in his first season on the defensive line, is one of "the bit players who bought into playing his role," Diggins said.
Cornerback Michael Pierson ranks among team leaders in tackles and provides the Cougars solid talent at all three levels.
The unit allowed a first-quarter touchdown to Elk River, then held the Elks, Armstrong and Anoka without a point. Champlin Park broke the streak when it scored a first-quarter touchdown last week in a 35-12 Centennial victory.
