Contributing writer
Is there a record on how many homecoming games you could crash in one season? The Centre Cougars traveled down to Waverly Friday night for their homecoming and defeated them, 28-24.
The Cougars won the toss and chose to receive, but Waverly stopped them, and they were forced to punt. Waverly’s quarterback led them down the field to the Cougars’ 2-yard line and was stopped on fourth down.
Tanner Brunner then broke through with a 27-yard run to give the Cougars good field position, but they failed to execute and were forced to punt. After Waverly went three and out, Brunner hooked up with Zach Antoszyk for a 10-yard completion, and then to Cole Svoboda for a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Cougars led, 6-0, at the end of the first quarter.
At the 5:57 mark in the second quarter, the Bulldogs took a 44-yard pass for a touchdown to tie the Cougars, 6-6. Centre turned the ball over twice on fumbles in its next possessions. The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns within the final 20 seconds of the first half, and Waverly led, 18-6.
The Cougars came out ready for revenge in the second half. Waverly started on its own 18-yard line. Trevor Troutt sacked the quarterback and created a fumble that he recovered. On the next play, Rustyn Kerbs went a sweeping 8 yards for a touchdown.
On Waverly’s next drive, Brunner intercepted a pass and took it to mid-field. He then made a beautiful pass to Kerbs for a 40-yard touchdown hook-up, giving Centre a 20-18 lead.
The Bulldogs stalled the game the remainder of the quarter, using the whole field running the ball and catching passes until the quarterback made a 3-yard touchdown run for the Bulldogs. They led, 24-20.
Centre opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown on back-to-back runs of 15 and 33 yards by Brunner. After the two-point conversion, Centre led, 28-24, with 11:28 remaining.
The Bulldogs and the Cougars went back and forth on three and outs until Kerbs made a full-out diving interception. After a first down, the Cougars took a knee and won, 28-24.
The Cougars prevented the Bulldogs from completing any two-point conversions the whole game. Waverly had 37 carries for 107 yards and 12 receptions for 235 yards. The Cougars had 30 carries for 142 yards and caught eight of 15 passes for 144 yards. Waverly beat Centre in the first down category, 13-10.
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Tanner Brunner, 20c-114; Trevor Troutt, 4c-11; Rustyn Kerbs, 6c-17.
Passing: Brunner, 8-15-144.
Receptions: Kerbs 2-52; Z. Antoszyk 4-65; C. Svoboda 2-27.
Interceptions: Brunner 1, Kerbs 1.
Tackles: (solo/assisted) Hajek, 4/0; Brunner, 3/13; Jacob Jennings, 5/0; Casey Kristek, 1/12; Troutt, 3/13; Svoboda, 2/3; Z. Antoszyk, 7/14; Shane Methvin, 1/5; Kerbs, 1/4.