Staff writer
After a 12-8 first-quarter lead against Peabody-Burns Friday, the Centre High School football team struggled with injuries and fell behind 62-28, ending the game with seven minutes, 13 seconds remaining on the clock.
“We played well the first half,” coach Kelly Steiner said, “but our injuries eventually caught up to us. We really need to get everybody healthy.”
After an 8-0 start by the Warriors, Justin Deines ran 15 yards on a pass from quarterback Kyle Methvin to score Centre’s first touchdown. A minute and a half later, Methvin ran 25 yards for another Cougar touchdown. Although both conversion attempts failed, Centre led at the end of the quarter.
Centre scored two touchdowns in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Methvin and a 48-yard pass reception by Deines. Terren Thompson and Deines converted the two-point attempts.
However, the Warriors scored three touchdowns and four extra points to take a 30-28 lead at halftime.
The Cougars failed to score in the second half while Peabody-Burns added 28 points.
Centre rushed for 122 yards compared with 311 by Peabody-Burns. Methvin threw eight completed passes for 162 yards in the air compared with 76 yards by the Warriors.
Chad Mueller was the leading rusher with five carries for 75 yards, followed by Methvin with 25-for-54. Deines was the leading receiver with three catches for 83 yards. Thompson had two receptions for 56 yards. Justin Bina intercepted a pass for five yards.
The Cougars will play a homecoming game Friday against Cedar Vale-Dexter.