45-minute rule cuts Friday’s game short
Staff writer
The Centre Cougars have a record of 4-0 after their 56-8 homecoming victory Friday over the White City Huskies.
The game started with a bang as Tanner Brunner received the ball on a White City kickoff and ran the length of the field for a touchdown. Rustyn Kerbs ran for the extra points and Centre led, 8-0.
On their second possession, after three-and-out by White City, the Cougars scored again on a pass from Brunner to Cole Svoboda. Brunner ran for two more points, giving Centre a 16-0 lead.
Kendall Harding and Brunner each recovered a White City fumble deep in Cougar territory in the Huskies’ next two possessions. One fumble recovery resulted in a touchdown pass from Brunner to Svoboda for Centre’s third foray into the end zone. The other fumble recovery was turned back over to the Huskies on a Centre fumble, but they were not able to capitalize on it.
After the two teams traded possessions several times, Centre scored again on a reception and 30-yard run by Kerbs. The first quarter ended with Centre leading, 28-0.
White City scored its first and only touchdown early in the second quarter after two pass receptions and a 1-yard run. The conversion attempt was successful, and the score stood at 28-8.
A White City fumble recovered by Jacob Jirak led to another Centre touchdown. Shane Methvin caught a pass from Kerbs for the conversion, extending Centre’s lead to 44-8.
Things went from bad to worse for the Huskies, as Kerbs intercepted a pass in the Huskies’ next possession. Centre failed to score however, and the first half ended with the score unchanged.
In Centre’s first possession of the second half, Kerbs caught a pass and ran all the way down to the Cougars’ 11-yard line before being tackled. Brunner ran for a touchdown and, after a failed conversion attempt, Centre led, 50-8.
Kerbs received White City’s punt and ran it back for what looked like another Centre touchdown, but the play was called back on a personal foul.
The Cougars fumbled on the next down but recovered the ball. Kyle Methvin, playing the quarterback position, connected with Harding, Shane Methvin, and Benjamin Wirtz in successive downs to advance the ball to the 8-yard line.
Kyle Methvin threw a touchdown pass to Brian Burhoop to end the game with a score of 56-8 with 2 minutes and 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Kerbs had his best rushing game yet, carrying the ball eight times for 68 yards, receiving two passes for 47 yards, and intercepting a ball for another 16 yards. Brunner connected on five of nine passes for 116 yards. Svoboda was leading receiver with four catches for 76 yards.
District play begins Friday with a contest at Flint Hills of Rosalia.
Statistics
Team stats: first downs — Centre 7, WC 6; rushing — WC 16c- 3, Centre 31c-163; penalties — WC 5-32, Centre 7-65.
Rushing: Kerbs 8-68, K. Methvin 8-37, Brunner 8-33, Casey Kristek 4-21, S. Methvin 1-2, Wirtz 1-2, Kendall Harding 1-1.
Passing: (WC 11-23-1) Brunner 9-5-116, K. Methvin 2-2-27.
Pass receptions: Svoboda 4-76, Kerbs 2-47, Burhoop 1-20.