Staff writer
Goessel defeated Centre Friday on Cougar Field, 50-0, in the first game of the season.
During the first quarter, penalties and errors by both sides led to frequent exchanges of possession.
Quarterback Ben Krause threw a completed pass to receiver Brian Burhoop in the opening play, but it didn’t take long for the Bluebirds to get the ball on a punt and run in for a touchdown on their first possession. The follow-up kick for the extra point was good.
On Centre’s second possession, Goessel intercepted the ball in the opening play but was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer, giving the Cougars an automatic first down and another chance.
After an incomplete pass, a delay of game, a quarterback sack, and a snap infraction, Centre was forced to punt. However, after Goessel’s receiver failed to hang onto the ball, a Cougar fell onto it and reclaimed it for Centre.
The Cougars weren’t able to capitalize on the exchange and were forced to give up the ball.
After a Bluebird first down, Goessel fumbled the ball and Centre once again recovered it.
A subsequent pass sent the ball through the hands of a receiver into the hands of a Bluebird. Goessel took possession and followed with a pass into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra-point kick was blocked by Savik Howard, and Goessel led 13-0 with one minute, 24 seconds remaining in the quarter.
The quarter ended with the Cougars in possession of the ball. Assistant coach Tad Remy encouraged the players.
“Hang in there. We’re doing all right,” he said. ‘It’s only the end of the first quarter.”
But the second quarter proved to be the Cougars’ undoing. Goessel capitalized on several errors by Centre, finding the end zone again and again and adding extra points.
The score was 44-0 with three minutes remaining in the half. Goessel recovered the ball on a fumble by the Cougars but returned it to Centre before the half ended. The score was unchanged.
The Bluebirds scored on their first possession in the third quarter, to make the score 50-0 and bring the game to an end because of the 45-point rule.
Tanner Brunner was the leading Centre defender with eight assisted and two unassisted tackles. Zach Antoszyk had five assisted tackles, a quarterback sack, and a recovered fumble.
“Goessel returned a lot of starters and is a very good team,” said Coach Kelly Steiner afterward. “They have a lot of speed.”
He said the team played hard but had too many penalties and gave up too many big plays.
Centre plays Canton-Galva Friday on the road.