Staff writer
The Centre Cougars lost 36-18 in their first district game of the season Friday at home against Lebo.
Despite a strong Centre defense, three turnovers on fumbles and five intercepted passes contributed to the loss.
Centre got off to a strong start, scoring a touchdown on its first possession. Dakota Stimpson ran for two first downs and quarterback Kyle Methvin completed a first down run before Terren Thompson caught a pass and crossed into the end zone. The conversion attempt failed, but Centre led, 6-0.
After Lebo turned over the ball on downs, the Wolves got the ball back on an interception and tied the game at 6-6.
Lebo scored again at 7:28 in the second quarter and completed the conversion attempt to lead 14-6.
It took 17 seconds for the Cougars to score an answering touchdown on a 48-yard run by Methvin. The conversion attempt failed, and Lebo had a 2-point lead.
Lebo made a touchdown in three plays in its next possession and almost scored again on an interception and long run back as time was running out in the first half. Conner Montgomery pushed the runner out of bounds to stop the run just short of the goal line. Lebo led, 20-12, at halftime.
Two personal fouls against Lebo during Centre’s first possession in the third quarter helped the Cougars get to the 8-yard line, but Methvin fumbled the ball, and Lebo regained possession.
On its first play, Lebo had a long run to the 4-yard line but Centre’s defense prevented the Wolves from getting into the endzone in four tries.
A Centre fumble to Lebo near the goal line then resulted in a touchdown and two extra points for the Wolves and a 28-12 lead.
Methvin threw another intercepted pass in Centre’s next possession but Lebo turned the ball back on downs.
Another intercepted pass in Centre’s first possession in the fourth quarter resulted in another 8 points for Lebo, expanding their lead to 24 points.
With 1:48 remaining, Ty Simons scored Centre’s final 6 points on a 4-yard pass from Methvin.
Centre had 37 carries for 222 yards; Lebo had 49 carries for 234 yards. Methvin was the leading rusher at 21 carries for 137 yards, followed by Stimpson, 14 for 63, and Montgomery, 2 for 22.
Methvin threw for 104 yards; Lebo passed for 36 yards. Simons was the best receiver, catching the ball 5 times for 65 yards. Thompson threw 3 for 29 and Justin Bina 1 for 10. Chad Mueller had four kick-offs for 93 yards.