Staff writer
The fifth district game of the season for the Centre Cougars proved to be no contest as they defeated Flint Hills of Rosalia, 56-6.
Centre had the ball for the first five minutes of the game, scoring after 12 plays on a pass to Justin Bina from quarterback Kyle Methvin. The conversion attempt failed.
Flint Hills scored its only points of the game on the ensuing kick-off, returning the ball 71 yards. The conversion attempt failed, and the game was tied at 6.
Centre went three-and-out on its next possession but recovered the ball on the punt. Seven plays later, Methvin ran into the end zone for another six points.
Centre’s third touchdown of the first quarter came on a 28-yard run by Methvin. Terren Thompson ran for the extra points, and Centre led, 20-6.
The Cougars scored four more touchdowns in the second quarter including a 33-yard run by Methvin, a 15-yard reception by Chad Mueller, a 28-yard run by Dakota Simpson, and an 11-yard run by Conner Montgomery. Mueller, Montgomery, and center lineman Karl Riffel scored conversion points.
In Centre’s last possession of the first half, Nick Salamone had a reception and carried the ball to Flint Hill’s 8-yard line. A facemask penalty on Flint Hills placed the ball on the 7-yard line with four seconds remaining.
Mueller attempted a field goal, but the ball went right. Centre led by 44 points, just one short of the 45 points to call the game.
Centre didn’t score again until 4 minutes and 24 seconds remained in the third quarter, when Methvin ran for 66 yards for the finishing touchdown.
Methvin compiled 171 yards rushing and 35 yards passing. Dakota Stimpson had 11 carries for 94 yards. Bina was the leading receiver with 20 yards. Mueller received for 15 yards.
Centre is 4-1 in district play and will face state-ranked Madison Friday on the road.
Madison, Peabody-Burns, Lebo, and Centre are all tied at 4-1 in district play. The winners of Friday’s games — Centre vs. Madison and Peabody-Burns vs. Lebo — will be district winner and runner-up. Madison has a points lead of 78, compared with Peabody-Burns 63, Lebo 60, and Centre 51.