IMPACT PLAYER 2015: Centreville’s Caston steps into spotlight as senior
Published 12:02 am Saturday, August 8, 2015
CENTREVILLE — Limitations on the football field are few and far between for Tyler Caston, making the Centreville Academy senior one of the most dangerous players in the area.
Last season, Caston led Centreville in receiving with 35 catches for 720 yards, while also adding 334 yards on the ground to go along with his 16 total touchdowns. But the production doesn’t stop there for the 5’9’, 170-pound senior who also had a team-high seven interceptions on defense.
Things will be a bit different though during the 2015 season. After losing 16 seniors to graduation, most of the load falls on Caston, but it isn’t something he is shying away from.
“It is an honor,” he said. “They’ve always had players that can do everything, and after losing a bunch of seniors, it is time for me to step up. It is an honor to be that guy.”
For Centreville head coach Bill Hurst, there is no concern about relying heavily on the senior.
“Tyler brings a lot of experience to the table,” Hurst said. “He is one of the best athletes in the state. He can do a lot of things on the football field. He’s got great hands, peripheral vision, cuts well and has good speed.”
Hurst said he plans to use Caston as a running back and receiver primarily on offense and as a safety and cornerback on defense.
One of the many responsibilities coming Caston’s way is being a team leader. But it is something he does a bit differently than most.
“I’m more of a lead by example person,” Caston said. “I’ve never been the type to yell or anything. They say if you do it, they will follow if you’re the leader, so that is what I try to do.”
The Tigers are coming off an MAIS AA championship last season, in which Caston was a major contributor, and he said he already has his eyes back on the prize again.
“I want to try and repeat and make it to state three years in a row,” he said. “It would be a dream come true — a perfect career for me.”
Caston said this year is especially important to him because it will be his last as a Tiger.
“It is sad knowing this is the last time I’ll be putting pads on, so I want to make every game count,” he said.