INLAND FIELDHOUSE

The most dominant player against the highest level of competition, Cornell Hatcher made it a point to put his best foot forward in 2023.

Against nationally No. 3-ranked Mater Dei in Week 0, Hatcher ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a 28-14 loss. He was only one of two RBs to go for 100-plus against Mater Dei this season.

Against No. 1 Bishop Gorman in Week 3, Hatcher had one of his biggest games of the season, producing 234 yards and all four Centennial touchdowns in a 56-28 loss.

After that, Centennial didn’t lose against until the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals, and even then Hatcher went for 190 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-39 loss to No. 6 St. John Bosco.

This year’s InlandFieldhouse.com Player of the Year, Hatcher totaled 2,257 yards and 45 touchdowns on 268 carries for a whopping 8.4 yards per touch against some of the best high school football teams in the West.

“I feel it’s always great to play against great competition,” said Hatcher, also the IEVarsity.com Offensive Player of the Year. “Iron sharpens iron.”

No other running back in the nation played against four opponents ranked inside the national Top 15. Hatcher had a season-high 305 yards against national No. 15 Liberty in Week 5.

“He’s such a tremendously hard-working player so none of this is surprising because that’s who he is,” Centennial coach Matt Logan said. “I cannot ask for anything more than what he’s done.”

To be clear, Hatcher was the best player on the field every time he stepped on a field this season. Mater Dei knew it. Bishop Gorman knew it. St. John Bosco knew it. And know Oregon State’s opponents are about to know it.

Photo courtesy WILL LESTER / THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE