Chris Nano is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cicero Prep for AZPreps365.com.

Cicero Prep is preparing for its first true football season ever. The Centurions are playing 8-on-8 football and competing at the 1A level.

Before this season, the only form of football that took place at Cicero Prep was flag football, a program led by coach Abdul Noah. A former NFL player, Noah led the flag football team to a championship last season. The coach was so successful that athletic director Billy Hunt felt it was a “no-brainer” to have him lead the school’s new football program.

Noah is joined by another former NFL player in Jerry Porter, who will serve as assistant head coach. Coach Bryan Hooppaw, who has coached alongside Noah for four years, will continue to do so as well. 

Hunt has been the athletic director at Cicero Prep for three years and knows that the Scottsdale school must be realistic with expectations. 

“We have some fast kids, some strong kids, but we also have some inexperienced kids,'' Hunt said. "I’d say I'm optimistic, but reserved.”

Noah wants his team to be prepared and has preached hard work throughout this entire process. When asked about season expectations, Noah was fully aware of what his team needs to do to find success. 

 “We have to go out there and compete, just play our butts off,'' Noah said. "These other teams don’t care if you’re a new team or not when you’re lining up in front of them."

Noah said his team is doing everything possible to ensure that it is following protocol in terms of handling the pandemic, things like wearing masks, getting temperature checks and practicing good hygiene. 

Noah will look to carry the success of his flag football team over to the 8-on-8 team. Cicero Prep has its first test Friday, as the Centurions host Fort Thomas High.