Centre still winless after loss to White City
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The Centre High School Cougars faced White City at home Friday and lost 40-18. Their record stands at 0-3.
The Huskies were penalized often for a loss of 73 yards but Centre fumbled the ball 10 times, turning it over three times. The Cougars also threw two interceptions, resulting in gains for the Huskies.
"It's hard to beat anybody when you fumble 10 times," said Coach Kelly Steiner. "The kids played hard and we had some good drives put together."
The game began badly as quarterback Ben Krause was sacked twice in Centre's opening drive. On the second sack, Krause was driven back to the two-yard line, where the Huskies took over and ran for an easy touchdown. The PAT failed, and the score was 0-6.
Centre responded quickly, starting from the 18-yard line. Bryant Brunner caught a pass from Krause and ran 29 yards. A follow-up pass was caught by Zach Slayden who ran another 25 yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed and the two teams were tied, 6-6.
Things were looking up, but on its very next possession, White City scored on a long run and completed the two-point conversion to lead 14-6.
Centre turned the ball over on a fumble, but White City wasn't able to capitalize on it.
White City opened the second quarter with a long run to the 17-yard line. Bryant Brunner broke up a long pass but the Huskies went on to score again. The PAT failed, but they led, 20-6.
Centre began a long drive at 4:35 in the quarter. After a loss of four yards on two downs, Krause connected with Brunner for a long run. Follow-up receptions and runs by Brunner and Slayden for 20 yards brought them closer to the Huskies' end zone.
White City then received two consecutive 15-yard penalties, putting Centre on the five-yard line. Brunner carried the ball in for a touchdown. The PAT failed, and Centre trailed 12-20 at halftime.
Centre scored again in the third quarter after three first downs, and a 25-yard run by Brandon Albrecht. The PAT failed, and Centre was within two, 18-20.
But that was as close as they got. White City scored three more times, once in the third quarter and twice in the fourth, to win by 14 points.
Senior Aaron Bowman and freshman Tanner Brunner were tough on defense, combining for 14 assisted and 14 solo tackles. Sophomore Zach Antoszyk had seven assisted and three solo tackles.
White City beat Centre on the ground, rushing for 139 yards on 37 carries compared to 92 yards on 36 carries. They were almost equal in passing yards, 129 for Centre and 128 for White City.
Albrecht was Centre's leading rusher, with 13 carries for 76 yards. Krause threw for 9-of-21 completions and 129 yards. Brunner had three receptions for 71 yards.
The junior varsity football team played Flint Hills Christian at home Sept. 10 and was defeated 6-12.
The Cougars play Hope at Hope Friday.
