The Central Tigers went 9-18 last season, and they have desires to make that record a winning record this season.

The Tigers return 10 players with a lot of playing time a season ago, with seven of those seniors — Joseph Lee, Cade Tucker, Isaac Rogers, Devon Baggs, Connor Walters, Jace Mendenhall and Coy Blackburn.

Two key juniors back this season will be Aiden Sainer and Hardy Buzzard, with sophomore Noah Buzzard in that mix also.

Rounding out the roster are juniors Bo Locust, Cole Holcomb and Nathan Vann, sophomores Cale Stewart, Braxin Goodson, Paitton Merrill, Leland Kelsey and Christian Smith and freshmen Jake Woods, Caleb Young, Dakota Vincent, Gavin Randolph, Brycen Chandler-Eisman, Malachi Bird and Joe Brooks.

“We will take some time to hit our stride after our football playoff run, but we’re excited to return everyone from last year’s team,” said Central boys coach Caleb Cawhorn, now in his second season leading the Tigers as coach.

Cawhorn said the Tigers’ strengths are their experience, depth and defense, but the obstacles — at least early on — will be the Tigers finding their offensive identity and trying to find players to step up in offensive productivity.