Every year, Springfield Central is among the top programs in the Northeast for high-end talent.

Coach Bill Watson always has speed at his disposal, and there are prospects all over the field for the Golden Eagles.

That is the case once again as Central turns to the 2024 season. There is a big, talented class of 2025, and a couple 2027 players who are already making waves.

With the crew that Watson has back, Central should be highly ranked once the season rolls around. There are not many programs in New England who will be able to match this team step-for-step.

The Golden Eagles last year went 8-2, and beat eventual D1 state champ Xaverian in the regular season, but lost a rematch in the playoffs in what is starting to become one of the top nonleague rivalries in New England.

We talked to Watson this week to get a closer look at his top players. We started with offensive lineman Dominic Rijos (6-foot-2.5, 305 pounds), who just recently committed to Coastal Carolina.

“Dom is going to be a three-year starter for us this year,” Watson said. “I think he kind of came into his own last year. He had a good season. Very physical player. Played inside and outside. He’s playing tackle for us. He’ll be our left tackle again this year. He’s at 300 pounds. He’s looking real good this offseason. He’s moving around well. He’s lifting, working hard in the weight room. Expect big things from him. I’m happy for him. I think things are looking good for him.”

Another 2025 player who had a huge 2023 is wide receiver Mattias Barbour (5-10, 180). Right now, Brown, Yale, Harvard, and UNH are all recruiting Barbour heavily.

“He may be one of the most explosive players in the state,” Watson said. “That’s not off of hearsay. I’m going off what he’s done. He’s just had some games where he has taken over at the receiver position. He can take a short screen and he can take that to the house. He can take it deep. He’s very good at the intermediate game. He has the complete package. We’re working on him now, trying to make him a better route runner. He’s a good route runner already, but we want him to be an elite route runner. As a matter of fact, he’s been putting a lot of work in in the offseason. He’s got a receiver coach that is working with him now. From what I’m hearing, he’s a lot better than he was last year already.”

Dwayne Early is a 6-4, 190-pound receiver who has been a contributor since he was a freshman. He is being recruited by James Madison, Old Dominion, and UNH.

“He will have a big impact for us this year,” Watson said. “He’s running track right now and working on his route running. His track times are going down tremendously.”

Offensive lineman Jayden White (6-4, 310) is coming back from an injury, and Watson expects big things going forward.

“He is back now running around, working out, looking good,” Watson said. “We expect big things from him. He’s an animal in the weight room. We’re looking forward to having him back and being able to contribute. We think he’s going to add a lot to our ability to run block, and just be aggressive, and be stronger in the trenches this year. He’ll have a breaking out party at the BONE Camp, a couple showcases and one-days. I would expect him to be an offer kid as well if he does what I think he does this summer.”

Another offensive lineman to keep an eye on is Khaji Charles (6-0, 265)

“He’s started every game since he’s been in high school for us at center,” Watson said. “He’ll be a four-year starter for us. He’s a leader up front. We’re happy to have him back, feel good about him.”

Two other WR to watch are Cameron Walters (6-5, 195), and Rodney Virella (6-2, 180).

Ja’Cyion Cox (5-10, 185) was an impact running back last year that will move into the secondary.

“He’s ready to have a big season on the defensive side,” Watson said. “He’s real physical kid, too, so he’s looking to do real well there.”

A veteran defensive back is Shaun’Dez Buckhannon (5-9, 183).

“He’s been on the field for us for a long time,” Watson said. “He was hurt a little last year. Tore his hamstring early in the season. Came back for the playoffs, re-injured it. He made it through the game. He’s healthy now. He’s been a leader for us. He’s a big turnover guy. He led the team I think his sophomore year in forced turnovers. He’s a playmaker for us. That’s our little Honey Badger right there.”

Jack Casey (6-2, 210) gets it done at linebacker for Central.

“Real physical guy,” Watson said. “We know where we want him to get stronger at, as far as game, so he can be a more impactful player. Feel sure that he’ll pick it up there. He’s around the football, and he can run. He’s a sideline-to-sideline guy. We’re excited about that.”

Some other 2025s to watch are OLB Jayden Polk (5-11, 200), DL Donte King (6-0, 235), and CB Davian Morales (6-1, 190), who has posted a 10.7 in the 100 meters and holds the school record in the 200.

Running back Isaiah Rogers (6-0, 190) is a 2027 recruit who already holds offers from Boston College and Mississippi State.

“Isaiah is a great young man,” Watson said. “He’s a kid, we went into last season, we had two running backs already: Preston (Longo), who is a scholarship kid who’s playing Division 2; and Ja’Cyion Cox. We entered the season and were just going to play those two guys at running back. Isaiah Rogers is a kid who forced us to be in the game plan and give him a few touches every game just because of how talented, and how he showed out in practice. He has elite speed. That’s witnessed from the results in indoor track in the 55 and qualifying for Nationals as a freshman. Now, in outdoor track, just yesterday he ran a 10.5 in the 100. Today, he got an offer from Mississippi State. That’s a big deal. . . . He’s a very physical kid. Finishes off his runs, and he runs with an attitude. He comes to work every day. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the football field, in the weight room, he’s about business every day. That’s what we love about him the most. I’m excited to see what he does this season.”

The other 2027 to remember is quarterback Jareth Staine (6-1.5, 176). He is being recruited by BC, UMass, and UConn. Watson likes how Staine has developed.

“As the season went on, I feel like he gained more confidence in pulling the ball and running,” Watson said. “He didn’t start the season that way. There were a lot of things to think about. We ask a lot of that position. I did kind of water it down for him because he was a freshman. I kind of threw everything at his lap, and he’ll figure it out. As he moved on in the season, he started getting a little better. We’ve got to continue to challenge him that way, and continue to put a lot on him, because I think he can handle it. He’s a smart kid. He’s very focused on getting better in every aspect. I think we’ve got to keep asking a lot of him. He’ll make the adjustment. I expect him to be a more willing runner this year, which is big, because he’s very athletic. He really can run. He’s got good speed. He’s an athletic kid. He’s got to make the right reads, and take advantage of the situation when it’s time for him to run, and I think he’ll do well there.

“As a passer, he’s got a good arm. Think he’s obviously going to have a stronger arm this year. I just expect him to have a big season and continue developing in that way.”