Centre settles in to 6-player football
Staff writer
Centre football is beginning its second year of six-player football, which this year is sanctioned by Kansas State High School Activities Association.
Rules are different than in eight-player football, in which Centre previously competed.
The field, excluding end zones, is 40 by 80 yards rather than 53⅓ by 100. All offensive players can be receivers. The quarterback must hand off, pitch, or throw the ball before crossing the line of scrimmage.
A first down requires gaining 15 yards, not 10. A field goal is worth four points. A kicked point-after is two points. A run/pass point-after is one point.
Centre played five games last year and finished the season with a 4-1 record.
Matt Basore, the only senior, and juniors Santiago Knepp, Gentry Holub and Kaigan Brewer are returning letter-winners. They are joined as starters by freshmen Kolton Steiner and Kolby Steiner.
Nick Krch, a junior letter-winner, and Robert Spohn, a sophomore letter-winner, are expected to see a lot of action.
Junior Riley Janow, sophomores Daniel Rziha and Andy Madron, and freshmen Jonah Svitak, Owen Wingerd, Blaise Kitzmiller, and Kaden Hutchison round out the roster.
“We are still a pretty young team,” coach Kelly Steiner said. “We will take it one game at a time and seek to improve. As long as that happens, everything else will fall into place.”
The team played it first game of the season Friday at Burrton. The high-scoring, four-hour-long contest ended with Centre losing, 79-71.
Burrton had four successful onside kicks that spurred them to victory.
“We learned a lot and found things to work on,” Steiner said. “I was pleased with our kids’ effort.”
Jason Stika is his assistant.