Central City News

Saturday’s State Championship game will be the culmination of an emotional ride for the Central High Wildcats. The season began with disaster when three of the team’s star senior players were involved in a near fatal accident.  Kylen Thomas and Jackson Firmin returned to school and the playing field relatively soon but the future of […]

The Central High Wildcats are off to a strong start for the 2024 football season. As of Oct. 2, the team is 4-0 for the season and has a power ranking of 42.7, which makes it No. 1 in the Baton Rouge metro and No. 3 statewide among Class I Non-Select Schools. Coach David Simoneaux, […]

Fall is in the air, and everyone is back to school in Central.  Enrollment in the Central Community School System has hit 4,560 so far, and Central High School has 1,546 students for the fall semester. Football began with the jamboree last Friday night with Central High at East Ascension. Things actually seem quite normal, […]

 Central High School quarterback Jackson Firmin is back for his senior year to lead the Wildcats. After a stellar season last year, expectations are high for Firmin this year. The 6’3” 210-pounder completed 134 of 215 passes in 2023 for 2,008 yards and 30 touchdowns.  He also rushed for 450 yards and six touchdowns. It […]

Central High head football coach David Simoneaux makes his goal for 2024 very clear — a run in the state playoffs and a championship game in the Dome. Simoneaux has been there before, both as a player and a coach. Now he has a host of experienced starters who have the skills to make it […]

Central Private head football coach Cole Holden is beginning his second season with the Redhawks, and he believes CP is ready to carry things to the next level. Holden previously served as head coach at Ben’s Ford and Tunica Academy.  He also coached at Oak Forest Academy. Central Private ended the 2023 season strong with […]

Why are grown men drawn to coaching football?  Afterall, it’s just a kids’ game. With 44 years in coaching, Istrouma High head football coach Sid Edwards answered that question for the Central City News. “Football is  a way to change the world — one child at a time!” Coach Sid said. “It keeps you young.  […]

Coach Leo McClure has retired after another successful season as head baseball coach at Central High School. Meanwhile, the 2024 Central Wildcat baseball team landed a number of its stars on the All-District 1st or 2nd Team. Those winning district honors were: First Team •Grayden Harris, pitcher •Cooper Austin, catcher •Garrett Rabalais, utility •Jacob LeBlanc, […]

Central High has announced Sham Gabehart as the school’s new head baseball coach. Coach Gabehart has over 18 years of experience in Louisiana high school baseball. He replaces Central legend Leo McClure who announced his retirement last month.  Coach Gabehart led Parkway to a district championship in 2022. He was head baseball coach at The […]

Central High head football coach David Simoneaux, is proud of the 2023 Central football squad and the way the school’s program is developing. Having just completed his first year as head coach, Simoneaux said, “The foundation has been laid. It always has to be rooted in relationships.  I’m proud of the support we have had […]