Centenary Gents soccer and head coach Emmett Rutkowski announced the second half of the incoming class for the 2016 season on Monday, June 27.
"It's the deepest class not only in terms of talent, but also one of the hardest-working groups I have ever coached. They are really motivated to come in to Centenary and play at a really high level," said Coach Rutkowski. "This class has more physical size and athleticism, which are two areas I have focused on to better fit our style of play here at Centenary. There will be a couple of newcomers who will compete for starting positions right away, and I am looking forward to coaching, developing and mentoring this class. We want to compete for conference championships, and we are taking steps by bringing in a talented group who has the drive to succeed.
"Besides the talent from outside the state, I am very proud that talented Northern Louisiana soccer players have chosen to come to Centenary in the two years I have been at the helm of Gent soccer," added Rutkowski.
| Jamal Allums Freshman / Defender 5-10 / 140 Humble, Texas / Atascocita HS Texans 98 Houston Premier
Allums played outside midfielder and outside back for head coach Anthony Oham at Atascocita High School. He also performed on the pitch for Texans 98 Houston Premier. Allums is the son of Lashaunda and Johnnie Allums and has one sister, Jayla. At Centenary, he intends to major in engineering. Coach Rutkowski on Allums: Jamal is a very hard worker and very smooth with the ball on the field. He is good at taking players on the dribble and is tough to break down defensively. He possesses versatility on the width, and is good when in attacking or defending in space. We have been recruiting him for more than a year, and I am excited for him to make Centenary his home. He has a strong work ethic, and is a tough player on the field. |
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| Michael Boone Freshman / Midfielder 5-9 / 170 Sulphur Springs, Texas / Everman Joe C Bean HS Scorpions
Played soccer for head coach Michael Boone at Everman Joe C Bean High School. Indivdually on the pitch, he garnered First Team All-District accolades while also being named District Newcomer of the Year. The Bulldogs as a whole finished District, BiDistrict, Area, and Regional Champions. Boone also played quarterback for head football coach Dale Keeling. The Bulldogs captured BiDistrict, Area and Regional Championships. In the classroom, Boone earned Academic All-State accolades. Son of Michael and Tanisha Boone, he has one brother, Eric. At Centenary, he is majoring in both math and psychology. |
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| Julian Centeno Freshman / Midfielder 5-8 / 145 Richmond, Texas / George Ranch HS Elite F.C.
Centeno was a forward and a midfielder for head coach James Alidor at George Ranch High School. He played for the Elite F.C. club team. Centeno is the son of Luis and Yessica Centeno and has two brothers, Gabriel and Elijah. At Centenary, he plans to major in business administration. Coach Rutkowski on Centeno: We have been recruiting Julian for more than a year now. He is a talented player from the Houston area that can take players 1v1 and press teams well. He brings great energy to the game and has a passion for scoring goals and working hard. He will be competing up top and in the midfield for the upcoming season. |
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| Bailey DeRoussel Freshman / Midfielder-Forward 6-0 / 170 Lafayette, La. / Acadiana HS CSC Fury '98
DeRoussel patrolled the midfield and forward positions for head coach Jan-Scott Richard at Acadiana High School. With the Wreckin Rams, he found the back of the net 68 times with 26 assists and 162 points. In his final season, he helped Acadiana High School finish as a runner-up in Division I in Louisiana high school soccer. Individually, he played on the West All-Star squad and was named All-State, the Division I-District III Most Valuable Player, a First Team All-Metro, an All-Acadiana First Team and the Daily Advertiser Player of the Week December 24, 2015. Besides his senior year, DeRoussel grabbed First Team Division I-District III honors his sophomore and junior seasons. As a freshman, DeRoussel earned JV Offensive Player of the Year honors. He also played for the CSC Fury '98 club team. He is the son of Marty DeRoussel and Courtney Tweedel and has one brother, Cohl. At Centenary, he plans to major in pre-med. Coach Rutkowski on DeRoussel: We have been recruiting him for a year and a half, as he is one of the top players in the state of Louisiana. He comes from a traditional state power and has been developed at Cajun Soccer Club, one of the top clubs in the state. He is a top athlete with explosive speed and can really take players on 1v1. I look for Bailey to compete right away for a spot out wide. He has a professional attitude and I am excited to have him be a part of our program. |
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| Alex Long Freshman / Midfielder 6-0 / 160 Murphy, Texas / Wylie HS Infinity FC Navy
Played left midfield and forward for head coach Scott Dillon at Wylie HS. On the pitch, he garnered Second Team All-District, and won the award for "Best Goal" in 2015. In 2014, he earned First Team All-District Accolades. With his club team, the Infinity FC Navy, he served as captain of the team that won the Presidents Cup in 2015. Long is the son of Lonnie and Michelle Long and has one sister, Amanda. At Centenary, he intends to major in business administration. Coach Rutkowski on Long: We identified Alex later in the process, and I was excited the first time I saw him play. He is a creative midfielder that is dangerous with the ball in the attacking half. He can make things happen. I have seen him play many positions, although I believe we will want to utilize him in the attack. I think he will really develop once he is in college and has a bright future for us. |
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| Colin Maloney Sophomore/ Midfield 5-11 / 160 Aledo, Texas / Southwestern Solar Red
Maloney transferred to Centenary after playing the 2015 season for Southwestern. He played in eight games, putting his only shot taken on target. At Aledo high school, he lettered in soccer and cross country. On the pitch, he garnered First Team All-District and First Team Academic All-State. Maloney is the son of Mike and Southara Maloney and has four brothers that played college soccer: Sean, Brian, Willis and Mickey. Coach Rutkowski on Maloney: I recruited Colin in my first class and was excited when he chose to transfer to Centenary. He is a versatile player on the field and works hard. He posses a good first touch and has good vision on the field. I anticipate Colin to come in and provide some leadership right away with our young team and be a mentor for some of our younger players. |
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| Alex Pecina Sophomore / Midfield 5-7 / 155 Longview, Texas / Longview HS East Texas Premier
Before transferring to Centenary from UT Tyler, Pecina played as at attacking and a defensive midfielder for head coach James Wright at Longview High School. Honors include being named First Team All-District on the pitch and making the A&B Honor Roll in the classroom all four years at Longview High School. Pecina is the son of Azalia Meji. At Centenary, he plans to major in finance. Coach Rutkowski on Pecina: Alexis is a transfer and is a very technical player. He developed at the East Texas Premier club team in Longview, Texas. He does a good job of commanding the play in the midfield and has the ability to move the ball well with both feet. He will give us some good experience and maturity quickly and I am excited to have him part of our program. |
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| Travis Schantz Freshman / Defender-Midfielder 5-11 / 155 San Antonio, Texas / Johnson HS SA United 98 RIASA
Schantz played both left midfield and left back for head coach Mike Barranco at Johnson High School. Garnered three All-District accolades, was a Team Captain and was named Team MVP in 2016. He has played for the SA United 98 RIASA club team since he was nine years old and also served as Team Captain. Off the pitch, he grabbed numerous academic accolades at Johnson High School, including being named Academic All-State, was an Honor Graduate nominee and graduated Cum Laude. He is the son of Clint and Candace Schantz and has one sister, Brittany. At Centenary, he plans to major in biology/Allied Health/pre-physical therapy. Coach Rutkowski on Schantz: Travis was the first player to commit to our Centenary 2016 class. I am happy to have him part of our program, as he is a talented left footed player that is very calm and collected under pressure. He is a good athlete and can play multiple positions. I believe he will really develop on the left side at outside mid or as an outside back. |
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| Max Wamsley Freshman / Defender 5-11 / 150 Vicksburg, Miss. / Warren Central HS
Ran track and played soccer for head coach Greg Head as a center and outside midfielder for Warren Central High School. His accomplishments on the pitch for the Vikings include All-County honors in two seasons and the Most Versatile Player award. Academically, Wamsley was named to the Honor Roll and Hall of Fame. Wamsley is the son of Ty and Lisa Wamsley. He has two siblings: brother Nick Wright and sister Mia Wamsley. At Centenary, he intends to major in biology. Coach Rutkowski on Wamsley: Max is another multi-sport athlete that we identified early on in the recruiting process, as he has a terrific work ethic. Max will compete at outside midfield or outside back in our system. He will be one of our more fit players and has a lot of potential once he is here to keep getting better. I am excited to have him a part of our program and I think his leadership and professional attitude will be great for this team. |
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