'Hungry' senior class leading Century football's revival

Sep. 2—ROCHESTER — The seniors on the Century High School football team are hungry. They saw the program at its lowest point, in 2024 when the Panthers finished 0-9, the first winless season in school history. They were sophomores at the time, and for many of them, it was their first season playing varsity football. They vowed never to let it happen again. Last season was a testament to that promise. "It felt almost like we were playing to not lose instead of playing to win," starting quarterback Nate Long said. "There really wasn't a culture. Century football wasn't really a thing that anybody took seriously. Nobody was even worried about us at all. ... It was always just, 'oh yeah, that's a win. Just chalk it up as a win,' and we're not that team this year." The Panthers made significant strides last fall, putting together a 2-7 season. The biggest change was that they competed every game — key progress for a team that was shut out three times the year before. Century looks to take another step forward in 2026 with the Class of 2027 leading the way. At the forefront of the Panthers' senior class are Long, lineman Matt Ding and third-year starting running back Max Elliott. "(Last season) kind of just proved to some of us that we did have it in us — we can go get a win, almost as dumb as it sounds," Long said. "Just that feeling of that first win at home (over Owatonna), and then that win in Winona, and then losing that playoff game ... we were as hungry as we've ever been." The Panthers have a small, yet dedicated roster made up of about half veterans and half newcomers. They lack depth, but their commitment to the program is something they can honestly say didn't exist two years ago. "Everybody's just really bought in and really wanting to win more than anything," Long said. "You need to get a group of guys together that is willing to put the team above themselves, and I think that's what we have right now." Increased weight room participation from both players and coaches and attitude adjustments have helped establish a new program culture. "It just comes back to the attitude," Ding said. "How can you stay up in tough games, long games? ... It all comes down to the little things. And I think we're really going to hammer that this year. And I think a lot of the senior guys have talked about, we need to be more nitpicky. We need to be holding everyone accountable, no matter if they like it or not, because we can't let that slide this year." Long, who earned the Panthers' starting signal caller role last season, spent the summer in physical therapy after tearing the labrum in his throwing arm during physical education class in April. Long, also a Century boys hoops star, opted to forego surgery (and his final AAU basketball season) so he could play football his senior year. He is expected to split throwing duties with fellow senior and backup quarterback Cade Goergen. Goergen saw the field last season when Long missed three games with a concussion. "(Cade) has a great arm, is a great player, great leader," Long said. "So I know, me or him, whoever's back there, is going to do a good job for the team." Ding said he believes the Panthers can contend for the section title. "Deep down, I truly believe we have the guys, we have the talent," Ding said. "It's just a matter of reps. We have a young team. It's inexperienced. A lot of guys haven't played, but we've taken so many reps this summer. ... Ever since team camp, we've been drilling, drilling pass protection, drilling our run bucket steps. ... If all the stars align, we stay healthy, we could be section champs." The first step in capturing a section title? The program's first playoff win since 2022. "A playoff win for sure would really (be) a statement to the city and to the state," Long said. "If we can do that as seniors and set the bar high for the people to follow us, I'd consider that a successful season and a turning point for the Century football program."