Contributing writer
According to one fan, Centre’s football game Friday at Flint Hills of Rosalia was “ugly.” Nevertheless, the Cougars returned home with a 48-20 victory, their fifth of the season. It was the first of four district games.
On the first snap of the game, quarterback Tanner Brunner and receiver Rustyn Kerbs executed a 51-yard touchdown pass to set the tone quickly, but Centre failed to bring in the extra two points.
After the Mustangs went three and out, Centre took control at the Mustangs’ 30 yard line. Brunner hit Casey Kristek through the air for a 15-yard touchdown. Kerbs ran for the 2-point conversion.
With the Cougars leading 12-0, the Cougar defense stepped up and gave back the ball to the offense so Brunner could break tackles and run 54 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the drive. The conversion attempt failed.
In their next possession, the Mustangs were forced to punt, and the first quarter ended with Centre in the lead, 20-0.
In the first drive of the second quarter, Brunner scrambled to find a hole to go 24 yards, but the ball got stripped at the Cougar 25-yard line. Flint Hills capitalized on the turnover and scored on a 13-yard run by Jake Oats.
Even though Brunner had fumbled on Centre’s last drive, he guided the offense down the field and ran for a 14-yard touchdown. The extra points were denied.
Oats of Flint Hills made an explosive play by running a 56-yard drive. He followed that with a 13-yard run for a touchdown.
With the score at 26-14, the Cougars failed to convert on fourth down to give the ball to the Mustangs. But with 10 seconds left in the first half, Brian Burhoop intercepted a pass at the 10-yard line to end the first half.
As the second half began, the Mustangs received the ball and pushed down the field, but Kerbs caught a tiptoe interception at the 1-yard line.
The Cougars gobbled up a 79-yard drive to score on a 10-yard run by Brunner. Flint Hills went for it on fourth down at their own 24 and failed. Centre took advantage, and Kordell Harding grabbed a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brunner.
After a few first downs, the Cougars’ Shane Methvin intercepted an overthrown pass at the Centre 30-yard line. Brunner hooked up with Kristek and Methvin for a 47-yard touchdown drive.
The Mustangs were trailing 48-14 when Oats broke free of the Cougar defenders and ran 69 yards for a score. At the kick-off, Flint Hills tried an on-side kick and recovered it successfully but couldn’t capitalize on it.
Time ran out in the Cougars’ final possession, and they left the field with a 48-20 victory.
Brunner was Centre’s leading rusher with 21 carries for 181 yards. Burhoop was leading receiver with four receptions for 73 yards.
Brunner led defensively with 11 solo tackles and eight assists. Kristek had nine solo tackles and seven assists.
The Cougars are off this week because Elk Valley forfeited Friday night’s game with Centre because of lack of players. Remaining district games are Oct. 15 at Waverly and Oct. 22 at Altoona-Midway.
Statistics
Flint Hills(20) centre (48)
Rushing 40/325 44/298
Passing 4-16-25-1 22-10-173-3
First downs 10 17
Penalties 12-115 6-65
Individual results:
Rushing: Brunner 21-181, Kerbs 12-65, Kristek 11-52.
Passing: Brunner 22-10-173 and one interception.
Receiving: Burhoop 4-73, Kerbs 2-57, Kristek 2-42, S. Methvin, 1-6, Kordell Harding 1-5.
Pass interceptions: S. Methvin 1-5, Burhoop 1-1, Kerbs 1-0.
Tackles (solo-assists): Brunner 11-8, Kristek 9-7, Jacob Jirak 6-3, S. Methvin 5-8, Kerbs 5-5, Kordell Harding 3-1, Cole Svoboda 2-2, Kyle Methvin 2-2, Burhoop 2-1, Kendall Harding 1-7, Trevor Hageberg 1-1, Terren Thompson 0-1.