Staff writer
Numerous offsides, face masks, and false starts by the Centre Cougars contributed to a 26-20 loss Friday to Wakefield at Bud Peterson Field. The two teams traded touchdown for touchdown throughout the game, even matching conversion points.
The game saw a lot of action. After the two teams traded punts the entire first quarter, Wakefield scored two minutes into the second quarter to take a 6-0 lead.
Centre lost the ball on a fumble on its next possession. The ball changed hands several more times before a 45-yard run by quarterback Kyle Methvin at 1:19 resulted in a touchdown. The first half ended with a 6-6 tie.
Wakefield scored on its first possession in the third quarter. Methvin had another long run on Centre’s next possession, but a holding call brought the ball back to the line of scrimmage. Methvin was sacked, and the Cougars once again were forced to give up the ball.
After Wakefield turned over the ball on downs, Methvin ran 37 yards for a touchdown. The score was tied, 12-12.
The Bombers scored on the first play of their next possession, taking a 6-point lead. Centre answered with a touchdown of its own on a 41-yard reception by Ty Simons. Methvin ran for the conversion. Centre led, 20-18, at the end of the quarter.
Wakefield scored a final touchdown at 9:42 in the fourth quarter and made the extra points, giving the Bombers a 6-point lead. Centre was unable to score again.
The Cougars had 10 penalties for a loss of 70 yards. Centre had 41 carries for 170 yards; Wakefield had 43 carries for 175 yards. Centre passed for 110 yards; Wakefield passed for 79 yards.
Methvin was Centre’s leading rusher with 21 carries for 106 yards, followed by Dakota Stimpson with 13 carries for 51 yards. Methvin threw five completed passes for 60 yards.
Simons was the leading receiver, with two catches for 51 yards. Terren Thompson had two receptions for 34 yards, and Stimpson had three receptions for 25 yards. Chad Mueller had four kick-offs for 108 yards.
Junior high
The junior high football team was defeated by Wakefield Thursday at Centre, 24-20. Touchdowns were scored by Cody Svoboda and Josh Mercer. C.J. Thompson made a conversion run.