Staff writer
After many hopeful years, the Centre Cougars finally got it done. They defeated Hope Friday, 28-26, at Hope.
It was the first time in 14 years. The last victory against the Lions came in the fall of 1996, when Centre won a wild first game of the season, 70-50, at Cougar Field.
“The guys were very focused and determined,” coach Kelly Steiner said of Friday’s game.
“They came so close last year and wanted to finish the job.”
Centre lost to Hope last fall in a four-overtime thriller at Cougar Field.
Friday’s game got off to a slow start. Centre punted once and Hope turned the ball over on downs two times. Centre scored first after Rustyn Kerbs advanced the ball five yards and quarterback Tanner Brunner ran for 54 yards for a touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, and Centre led, 6-0.
Hope scored on its next possession on a 25-yard touchdown run by Lucas Bird, and after the two-point conversion, Hope led 8-6.
A pass to Kerbs in the end zone resulted in another touchdown for Centre. After a successful conversion attempt, Centre regained the lead, 14-8.
The Lions came roaring back in the second quarter to take a 16-14 lead. After forcing Centre to punt in its next possession, Hope scored again on a long run by Bird to add six points for an eight-point lead.
Hope was called for pass interference in Centre’s next possession. The ball was intended for Cole Svoboda. Two plays later, Svoboda caught a pass in the end zone. After a successful conversion, the game was tied, 22-22.
Kerbs was charged with pass interference in Hope’s next possession, but Svoboda intercepted a pass to reclaim the ball for the Cougars. They were not able to score, and the first half ended in a draw.
The Cougars held the Lions scoreless in the second half as the defensive battle raged on.
Things went bad for the Cougars in their first possession of the half. Brunner made a long run, but the ball was called back to midfield due to a holding call. Brunner then was sacked in the backfield, and Centre was forced to punt.
Hope moved the ball down to their own 5-yard line, but Kendall Harding intercepted a pass in the end zone to prevent the Lions from scoring.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the Cougars scored after a completed pass to Kyle Methvin, a 6-yard run by Casey Kristek, and a pass to Brian Burhoop in the end zone. The extra-point attempt failed, but Centre led 28-22.
A quarterback sack by Kristek and two incomplete passes led to a turnover on downs in Hope’s next possession.
Hope recovered a Cougar fumble but was not able to capitalize on it. Time ran out as the two teams continued to battle, and a satisfied Cougar team left the field with a 28-22 victory.
Brunner stole the show in the air and on the ground. He showed his strong arm with numerous long passes. He completed 13 of seven passes for 106 yards and rushed for a total of 157 yards. He also showed a strong leg, sending the ball into the end zone on three kickoffs.
Other rushers were Kristek seven carries for 32 yards, Kerbs three carries for 17 yards, and Cole Svoboda one carry for three yards.
Svoboda caught two passes for 43 yards, followed by Kerbs three receptions for 37 yards, and Burhoop one reception for 18.
On the defensive side, Brunner had seven solo tackles and provided six assists. Other leading tacklers were Kerbs with five solos and seven assists, Kristek three solos and eight assists, Jacob Jirak nine assists, Shane Methvin one solo and eight assists, and Kordell Harding two solos and four assists.
Coach Steiner said the team was happy for the victory but they remain focused on the important district games that lie ahead.
“Both teams played hard, and I’m glad that we were able to pull it out this year,” he said.
Looking back
After joining the now defunct Eisenhower League in 1987, Centre was undefeated for nine years against Hope.
In the last winning game against Hope 14 years ago, quarterback Brandon Hanschu passed for four touchdowns and Jacob Castillo scored four touchdowns.
Other scorers were Josh Plett, Lucas Carlson, Kevin Steiner, and Alex Utting.
A year later, the Cougars went on to win the 1A Division 1 state championship, with Hope being their only loss of the season.