By Jack Hart | ILSportsWire
There is a different feeling surrounding Central A&M football heading into the 2026 season.
After a 3-6 season a year ago, the Raiders enter this fall with a new coaching staff, renewed energy and a senior class determined to help turn the program around.
The word around Central A&M has been culture.
Players have noticed the difference throughout the offseason and preseason, with a renewed commitment to showing up, working hard and holding one another accountable.
Senior Kadyn Higgins knows this season is especially important. With his final year of high school football approaching, Higgins understands that the senior class has a responsibility to lead the Raiders.
“I just want to work hard, keep everyone together, keep showing up to weights, practice, all that, and keep grinding to have the best season possible,” Higgins said.
Higgins said the culture has already changed significantly compared to last season. There is more excitement around the team, more players getting involved and a growing anticipation for opening night.
A big part of that excitement comes from new head coach Trevor Higgins.
Kadyn Higgins has the unique experience of playing for his uncle, but he said the transition has been a positive one.
“He brings a lot of excitement,” Higgins said. “Everyone loves it and the excitement is just insane.”
For the seniors, however, the responsibility goes beyond simply winning football games. Higgins wants the older players to show younger teammates how much fun football can be, encourage more athletes to join the program and demonstrate what it means to continue fighting regardless of the scoreboard.
His personal goal is to help Central A&M put together a winning season and make a deep playoff run.
O’Dell Sets His Sights High
Senior Parker O’Dell is entering his final season with plenty of confidence.
O’Dell said the Raiders have worked extremely hard throughout the offseason, with players consistently showing up and putting in the work. He also believes the team will benefit from players returning from injuries.
Among those returning are Rhett McLain and Victor Ravelo, giving Central A&M additional experience heading into the new season.
O’Dell has personal goals of earning all-conference honors again and potentially earning all-state recognition.
But his team goal is much bigger.
“We want to make it to state,” O’Dell said. “We want to raise that trophy, bring it back to this town.”
That confidence is shared by the rest of the senior class.
Reed: “Everybody’s Showing Up”
Senior Colin Reed believes the biggest difference heading into 2026 is the team’s mentality.
After last year’s struggles, Reed said the Raiders are approaching practices differently. Players are showing up every day, working hard and treating practice with the same intensity they expect to bring on Friday nights.
“Everybody here treats practice like a game,” Reed said.
Reed also has several games circled on the schedule, including Warrensburg-Latham and Shelbyville. Those matchups carry extra motivation, but his ultimate goal remains simple.
A playoff run.
“Win games,” Reed said when asked what he wants to accomplish during his final season.
Forlines Building a New Defensive Identity
One of the most important pieces of Central A&M’s transformation will be the defense, led by Ross Forlines, defensive coordinator.
Forlines is installing a brand-new defensive system, meaning the Raiders are still learning and developing as the season approaches.
“It’s brand new for everybody, so it’s going to take some time,” Forlines said.
With a difficult Week 1 opponent that runs multiple formations, Forlines knows the Raiders will have to be disciplined from the opening whistle.
His emphasis has been on fundamentals — getting lined up correctly, doing the little things right and playing fundamentally sound football.
But Forlines believes the biggest change at Central A&M isn’t simply the new defensive scheme.
It’s the players.
Forlines credited head coach Trevor Higgins with bringing tremendous energy and positivity to the program, but he said the players themselves deserve much of the credit for the culture shift.
“The biggest change is the kids,” Forlines said. “The kids took it and ran with it, and they’re the ones that really set the culture.”
After last year’s disappointing results, Forlines said the players had a choice. They could remain frustrated, or they could become the group responsible for changing the program.
They chose to become the change.
The seniors have embraced their leadership responsibilities and are working to bring younger players along with them.
Senior Leaders Ready to Step Up
Forlines has already seen several players emerge as leaders on the defensive side of the football.
In the secondary, Aiden Sites has stood out through his work ethic and attention to detail. Forlines described Sites as a player who may not always be the loudest voice, but consistently leads by example.
At linebacker, Emmitt Stenger has established himself as another major leader.
Forlines praised Stenger’s relentless work ethic and willingness to keep pushing every day.
On the defensive line, Chaz Bruandmeier and Max Taylor have also impressed Forlines, while Parker O’Dell and Colin Reed provide additional leadership throughout the group.
That senior leadership could be critical as Central A&M continues learning the new defensive system.
Forlines has emphasized that every player has a specific job on every play.
His message to the defense is simple: do your job and don’t try to play hero ball.
Forlines believes the best defenses are built by players who are willing to sacrifice individual statistics for team success.
A defensive lineman might finish a game without a tackle and still be one of the team’s most important players if he does his assignment correctly and creates opportunities for teammates.
That selflessness has been one of the biggest positives of preseason.
Speed and Athleticism Could Make Raiders Dangerous
Forlines has also been impressed by what he has seen from the Central A&M offense.
The Raiders have plenty of athleticism and speed, creating difficult decisions for opposing defenses.
Load the box, and Central A&M has athletes capable of making plays outside.
Don’t load the box, and the Raiders believe they can run the football effectively.
That athleticism has also made practice competitive, with younger players stepping up and making the defense work.
Forlines said that competition has been one of the most encouraging parts of preseason.
A Community Ready to Rally Behind the Raiders
As the season gets closer, the message from the players and coaching staff extends beyond the football field.
They want the Central A&M community in the stands.
Forlines encouraged fans to show up on Friday nights, be loud and support the players.
But he also believes that support should continue throughout the week.
He encouraged community members to recognize the athletes around town, congratulate them on their efforts and remind them that their community cares about what they are accomplishing.
“Just support these kids,” Forlines said.
That support could mean a lot to a Central A&M team entering a new chapter.
Kadyn Higgins and the senior class want to leave a legacy.
Parker O’Dell wants to play for a state championship.
Colin Reed wants a playoff run.
Ross Forlines wants to build a disciplined, fundamentally sound and selfless defense.
And the entire Central A&M program believes it has the opportunity to write a different story in 2026.
A new season is here. A new culture is taking shape. Now the Raiders are ready to see what they can accomplish.
