Staff writer
Centre fans were pleasantly surprised Friday by an outstanding performance by their high school football team.
The two competing teams were a study in contrasts in 2008. Goessel finished 10-1. Centre finished 2-7 after a winless year in 2007.
Playing on the road in the first game of the season, the Cougars overwhelmed the Bluebirds, defeating them, 38-24.
“It was a total team effort,” said third-year-coach Kelly Steiner. “The guys worked hard this summer and had a lot of confidence.”
Led by quarterback Tanner Brunner and receiver Rustyn Kerbs, Centre compiled 237 yards rushing and 178 yards passing to advance the ball five times past the goal line.
Goessel rushed for 65 yards and passed for 227.
Centre scored first on a pass from Brunner to Kerbs, but the extra point attempt failed. Goessel answered with its own touchdown, when Weston Hiebert got away from a Cougar tackler and ran for 35 yards. The extra point attempt was good, giving Goessel an 8-6 lead.
Trevor Troutt carried the ball across the goal line for the Cougars’ second touchdown after Brunner carried it to the 1-yard-line on a long run. The quarter ended with Centre leading, 12-8.
Goessel began the first possession of the second quarter on their own 8-yard line. The Bluebirds lost five yards on a penalty, and then were pushed back into the end zone for a safety, increasing Centre’s lead to 14-8.
Jonathan Berkholz scored for Goessel when he broke through Centre’s defensive line and ran for 9 yards. The extra point attempt was good, giving the Bluebirds the lead for a second time, 16-14.
Centre answered with another touchdown on a Kerbs reception, and added two extra points to take a 22-16 lead at halftime.
The Cougars came back strong in the second half, forcing the Bluebirds repeatedly to give up the ball. Cole Svoboda caught a pass from Brunner to make the score 30-16.
The Bluebirds were on their 11-yard line when Weston Hiebert caught a pass from quarterback Neal Brubaker and ran 71 yards for a touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, Goessel was within striking distance, 30-24.
However, the Cougars finished the game with a strong fourth quarter, holding the Bluebirds scoreless while adding eight points for a 14-point victory.
Centre plays Canton-Galva Friday at Cougar Field.
“They are smaller but quicker,” Steiner said. “We’ll definitely have to be ready to play.”
individual Statistics
(Centre 38, Goessel 24)
Rushing: Tanner Brunner, 28 carries for 127 yards; Trevor Troutt, 11c-25; Rustyn Kerbs 10c-27.
Passing: Brunner, 11-18-148; Kerbs 1-1-30.
Receptions: Zach Antoszyk, 3 for 9; Kerbs, 5-72; Brian Burhoop, 2-65; Cole Svoboda, 2-32.
Interceptions: Kerbs, 1-0; Burhoop, 1-5.
Tackles (solo/assists): Kordell Harding, 6/2; Kendall Harding, 0/2; Kerbs, 0/7; Brunner, 6/8; Casey Kristek, 3/4; Trout, 5/0; Svoboda, 4/0; Burhoop 2/0; Antoszyk, 3/6; Shane Methvin, 0/3.