It's Offense Central
Thursday, November 30, 2000
           By RUSS HELD

           SPRINGFIELD      They come at you from
           everywhere on the field, and they seem to end
           up in one place the end zone. 

           Central High School rolled out one of the most
           powerful offensive units this region has seen in
           years, and the success of that unit Saturday
           may well determine its fate in the Division I
           Super Bowl against Fitchburg. 

           The Golden Eagles (10-1) amassed 414 points,
           the region's highest total since Mahar Regional
           of Orange totaled 424 in 1996. But Fitchburg
           (11-0) will look to extend its 17-game winning
           streak with a defense that has allowed an
           average of 10.8. 

           The teams meet at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at
           Worcester State College. 

           Central has scored an average of 40.2 points
           during a 10-game winning streak, and at a
           46-point clip over its last five. 

           "We do a lot of different things," McLaughlin
           said of a unit that runs multiple offenses out of
           a Wing-T formation. "We can attack from
           anywhere . . . we'll run inside, run outside or
           throw the ball. 

           "We have been as versatile during other years,
           but we've never had combinations of players
           this good with these two running backs (Jones
           and Warren Barnett), power back (Kyle
           Suttles) and quarterback who can run and
           throw like (Mike) McCarthy can." 

           Jones is the workhorse, only 94 yards shy of
           becoming the first Central back to gain 2,000
           yards in one season. He surpassed Corey
           Jackson's single-season school mark of 1,847
           from last season. 

           "We have a lot of talent on our offense, but
           there isn't one superstar," Central senior
           running back Don Jones said. "Everyone
           benefits from the others." 

           The 5-foot-6, 170-pounder has averaged 8.95
           yards per carry and has scored 23 touchdowns.

           "He's not the fastest kid around, but it takes
           two or three guys to bring him down,"
           McLaughlin said of Jones. "He's going to run
           through your tackles. He's a little guy, but very
           strong." 

           "He's just non-stop all day," Suttles said of his
           backfield mate. "He always makes something
           out of nothing." 

           Barnett has added 629 yards, at 7.4 per carry,
           and 14 touchdowns. 

           "He'll just run through you, he doesn't have
           that dodge-ability," McLaughlin said of
           Barnett, a 5-6, 165-pounder. "He runs like a
           fullback, but he's very quick." 

           Suttles is a top-notch blocker and with soft
           hands is a versatile receiving target. 

           "Suttles and Barnett are two good receivers
           before we even get to receivers," Jones said of
           the backfield options. 

           McCarthy hasn't had to throw the ball much,
           but has completed 51 percent of those attempts
           for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has
           spread the ball around to wideouts Brandon
           Watson, Jordan Jones, tight ends Craig
           Washington and Brendan Kavanagh, Suttles
           and Barnett. 

           "With so many guys, I get to make my reads,
           find the open guy and know they can make the
           catch and do something good with it,"
           McCarthy said. 

           Not surprisingly, everything starts on a line
           anchored by a cast of veterans. Junior center
           John Papadoulias, junior guard Garvin
           Headley, senior tackle Kym Sturdivant and
           Kavanagh have blended with newcomers
           sophomore Vinnie Washington at guard and
           senior Jessie Holmes at tackle. 

           "We work together so well, the chemistry is
           great," Papadoulias said. "Holmes and
           Washington stepped right in, and that was a big
           help from the start." 

           Central has scored 30 or more points in all 10
           games since a 38-8 season-opening loss to
           Brockton. 

           "We will go 90 yards on you, very few teams
           are going to stop us up without our help
           (turnovers)," McLaughlin said. 

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