SEASON PREVIEW: Trevor Higgins hopes to reignite postseason hopes at Central A&M

MOWEAQUA, Ill. (WAND) - The Central A&M football program has faced a flurry of changes over the course of the last few seasons.

In 2025, the team entered into a co-op with Okaw Valley for the first time, contributing to a boost in necessary roster size. Despite this, the team had a challenging campaign, leading the Raiders to miss the playoffs for just the 4th time in 10 eligible years under coach Brent Weakly.

Entering 2026, the team takes on another adjustment in the form of a new head coach, Trevor Higgins. Higgins graduated from Central A&M in 2003 and returns to his alma mater after 10 seasons at Pana, where he led the Panthers to 4 state quarterfinal appearances. The opportunity to return to his home town was a chance he couldn't pass up.

"Just being from here, the opportunity came open and I got to talk to my family and mentors in life," Higgins said. "I prayed about it and just felt like it was the right move."

An emphasis for Higgins from the start has been instilling the importance of program culture. By creating a desire among players to consistently be around others with the team and bettering themselves, it's believed wins will follow the commitment.

"I just love being able to see these kids grow, mature, become good leaders and become good teammates," Higgins adds. "It's gonna be exciting to see on Friday night when we piece everything together."

This Fall, the program returns a healthy number of seniors who bring varsity-level experience. The campaign will bring a reset in regard to strategy on both sides of the ball, but familiar faces are eager to step up and make the most of their final year.

"Really we just need to hone in on the details of the plays," said Emett Stenger, a running back and linebacker. "Get our defense and everything lined out and get all the finer details locked in before week 1."

The Raiders open their 2026 season at home against Deer Creek-Mackinaw (Dee-Mack).