By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre football players held their plaque high Friday as they celebrated winning the second district championship in Eight Man, Division II.

They defeated Marais des Cygnes, 56-6, for a 5-0 record in district play.

This was the first time in nine years that the Cougars claimed the championship.

Rushing touchdowns were scored by Jensen Riffel, who had three, and Braxton Smith, Aidan Svoboda, Jacob Hird, one each.

Smith also scored a passing touchdown.

Riffel had seven carries for 123 yards, Svoboda 2 for 47, Smith 5 for 62, Hird 1 for 21, and Lane Methvin 2 for 3.

Luke Hudson had 2 receptions for 21 yards.

The team’s overall record is 6-2 after losses to 8-man Division I schools Peabody-Burns and Canton-Galva. The Cougars will play 2-3 Altoona Midway Thursday at home in the first round of the playoffs.

With a victory, the Cougars likely would face 8-0 St. Paul at St. Paul in the second round.