By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Assistant AD for Communications
The Centenary football program is just three months away from its third season since the sport returned to campus for the first time in over a half-century.
The Gents, 5-14 and 5-8 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play after their first two seasons, will open their season on Sept. 5 against Westgate Christian University at home in the first of five games played at Atkins Field.
Head coach Byron Dawson shared some summer thoughts:
“As we enter camp season, our focus is on evaluating prospective student-athletes both on campus and in a competitive camp setting. This is an important time in the recruiting process as we continue to identify young men who fit our program both athletically and culturally.
“We had an outstanding offseason and spring practice period. Our players made tremendous strides in the weight room, and Coach Calvin Brown and our strength staff did an excellent job challenging and developing our team to maximize its strength and athletic potential.
“Recruiting is a year-round process, and we remain committed to finding high-character young men who are a great fit for our program and have the potential to become future Gents. We are excited about our incoming recruiting class and the talent they will bring to our team.
“Looking ahead, we are eager for the upcoming season. We face a challenging schedule filled with talented, well-coached opponents both in non-conference play and throughout our conference schedule. We embrace that challenge and look forward to the opportunity to compete, grow, and represent Centenary College.”
The Gents finished their 2025 season at 1-8 overall and 1-4 in conference play. Centenary’s season ended with a 16-14 loss to Austin College in the opening game of the inaugural SCAC Football Championship on Nov. 15 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. Twelve Gents were named to the 2025 All-SCAC Team following the season.
The Gents are scheduled to play nine regular-season games – five at home and four on the road. Centenary will play its first two games at home as the Maroon and White will face Millsaps College on Sept. 12 before traveling to Marshall, Texas in Week 3 (Sept. 19) to face East Texas Baptist for its first road contest.
Centenary will face Schreiner University, in its inaugural season as a program, at home on Sept. 26 and then travel to Sherman, Texas on Oct. 3 to face Austin College. The Gents remain on the road on Oct. 10 to face Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. and then return home for a rematch with Austin College on Oct. 17 for their annual Homecoming game.
The Gents have a bye week on Oct. 24 and then return to Atkins Field on Oct. 31 to face Lyon College in a Halloween contest. Centenary then finishes the regular season on the road at Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas.
Since Centenary plays Austin College twice during the season, only the second meeting on Oct. 17 will count as a conference game.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu