By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

The Centre Cougars defeated Burrton Friday at home, 56-34. It was the first district game of the season.

Victory was not secured until the fourth quarter. Both teams were tied, 34-34, at the beginning of the quarter, but from then on, Centre dominated, scoring three unanswered touchdowns.

Centre scored on the opening drive of the night on a 36-yard pass from quarterback Cole Methvin to Dakota Stimpson. The conversion attempt failed.

Methvin intercepted a pass at the Burrton 17-yard line on the Chargers’ first possession. After a first down, Dylan Deines caught a 2-yard pass from Methvin for the score. Stimpson caught a pass for the 2-point conversion, and Centre led, 14-0.

Burrton then scored two consecutive touchdowns and tied the game in the middle of the second quarter. The Chargers took the lead late in the quarter, answering a Stimpson touchdown with two of their own. Burrton led, 28-20, at halftime.

Centre regained the lead in the third quarter with touchdown runs by Conner Montgomery and Methvin.

Burrton tied the game, 34-34, early in the fourth quarter, keeping the outcome in doubt.

However, Burrton went three and out in two possessions while Centre went on to score three more times. Touchdowns were scored on runs by Max Svoboda, Stimpson, and Montgomery. Montgomery and Deines also scored conversion points. The Cougars walked away with a 22-point victory.

Centre had 272 yards rushing, compared with 196 by Burrton. Methvin threw two completed passes for 38 yards, and two interceptions. Stimpson threw one completed pass for 12 yards. Burrton threw for 131 yards and one interception.

Montgomery was Centre’s leading rusher, with 17 carries for 164 yards. Stimpson had 74 yards, Methvin, 32, and Svoboda, 12. Stimpson was the leading receiver, with one catch for 26 yards.

Friday’s homecoming game against Tescott will be the Cougars’ second district game.