Centre Cougars advance to second round 

Centre High School Cougars defeated South Haven Tuesday, 56-26, in a bi-district game at Cougar Field.

“We played well,” Coach Kelly Steiner said. “We were more physical and shut down their running game.”

The statistics support that. Centre had 38 carries for 165 yards compared to 28 carries for 53 yards by South Haven.

Both teams did well in the air: Quarterback Tanner Brunner threw 12 completions for 289 yards and six touchdowns; South Haven threw for 294 yards.

The Cougars got off to a quick start, leading 12-0 at the end of the first quarter and 40-12 at halftime. They added 16 more points in the second half, holding the Cardinals to 14 points for a 30-point victory.

Alex Hajek was Centre’s leading receiver with two catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Five other Cougars also had receptions. Those scoring touchdowns were Cole Svoboda, Zach Antoszyk, and Rustyn Kerbs.

The Cougars will play Hanover-Linn at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hanover.

Steiner expects a tough contest. Hanover is athletic and fast with only loss in a 9-1 record was against Baileyville B&B, Steiner said, which is ranked first in eight-man Division II.

Centre’s record is 8-1.