Cougars defeat Rams
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Centre Cougars defeated the St. Xavier Rams of Junction City Friday by a score of 68-40,
Both teams had 10 first downs. St. Xavier went 238 yards in 56 carries, while Centre went 205 yards in 34 carries. The Cougars excelled in the air with five passes for 115 yards compared to St. Xavier's five passes for 82 yards.
Travis Burns led on the ground with 117 yards, and quarterback Eric Peterson threw four completed passes for 98 yards.
Burns was leading tackler with eight unassisted plays and 18 assists.
The first Centre touchdown came in the second quarter on a 73-yard punt return by Todd Stahlecker. The extra points put Centre ahead 8-6.
Stahlecker scored two more times that quarter, one on a 54-yard pass from the quarterback. Two successful extra-point attempts by Centre and a touchdown by St. Xavier resulted in a half-time score of 24-12.
The Cougars reached the goal twice in the third quarter while holding the Rams scoreless. One touchdown came on a 60-yard kick return by E. Peterson, the other on a three-yard run by Burns.
Both teams were evenly matched in the fourth quarter, each scoring 28 points. Centre's touchdowns were divided among four players — seniors Stahlecker, E. Peterson, and Burns, and freshman Seth Jirak. Jirak's touchdown came on a 54-yard interception return with just nine seconds remaining in the game.
The score was Centre 68, St. Xavier 40 as time ran out. The Cougars are undefeated with a record of 2-0.
CENTRE 68 ST. XAVIER 40
Centre 0 24 16 28 68
St. Xavier 6 6 0 28 40
Team play (Centre/St. Xavier): first downs, 10/10; rushing yards, 34c-205/56c-238; passing yards, 5-8-115/5-8-1-82; penalties, 3-25/6-30; fumbles, 1-0/1-1.
Rushing: Travis Burns, 16-117; Todd Stahlecker, 12-79; E. Peterson, 5-7; Keenan Geissert, 1-2.
Passing: E. Peterson, 4-7-98; Burns, 1-1-17.
Receiving: Burns, 2-20; Stahlecker, 2-61; E. Peterson, 1-17;
Kick returns: Stahlecker, 1-47; Peterson, 1-60.
Punt returns: Stahlecker, 2-88.
Defensive plays (unassisted/assisted): Burns, 8/18; Brent Carlson, 6/10; Seth Jirak, 5/16; Geissert, 4/6; Stahlecker, 3/7; Steven Hageberg, 3/3.
Fumble recovery: Hageberg, 1.
