Staff writer
The 2009 fall homecoming game between Centre and Hope will be remembered for years to come.
Fighting like bulls, the Lions and Cougars went head-to-head, neither team giving in to the other in a game that lasted almost three hours.
Both teams scored most of their points in four overtimes. After a score of 6-6 in regulation play, the two teams scored touchdown for touchdown in the first three overtimes.
Hope scored in the fourth overtime and prevented Centre from scoring, resulting in a six-point loss for Centre and a final score of 30-24.
There were no two-point conversions in the game.
Centre had four first downs compared to 12 by Hope, but a persistent Cougar defense kept the Lions out of the end zone.
The Cougars were forced to punt on their first possession after quarterback Tanner Brunner was sacked in the backfield.
The Lions started from their own 31-yard line and worked their way to the 5-yard line. Casey Schardein ran for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter.
After Centre again gave up the ball, Hope was headed for the end zone a second time when Cole Svoboda broke up a long pass, and the Lions were forced to punt.
Centre’s break came with two minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the first half, when a Cougar recovered a Hope fumble on Centre’s own 32-yard line. Rustyn Kerbs caught a 32-yard pass from Brunner in the end zone for a touchdown.
The 6-6 halftime score remained unchanged for the remainder of regulation play. Penalties mounted on both sides as the two teams battled it out.
Centre had a chance to score and win the game as time was running out. Hope had possession of the ball. Quarterback Aaron Davis, under pressure from Centre’s defense, threw the ball toward the sideline, where it was picked off by Zach Antoszyk. He carried it to Centre’s 7-yard line before being brought down.
In the five remaining seconds, Brunner attempted a field goal, but the attempt failed, sending the game to overtime.
It was tit-for-tat the rest of the way, each team matching the other’s touchdown with one of its own in three overtimes.
Kerbs scored for Centre in the first two overtimes on passes from Brunner. Cole Svoboda scored Centre’s final touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Brunner.
Hope had first possession in the fourth overtime. Centre’s defense was wearing down. The Lions scored a rushing touchdown on a run by Lucas Bird.
Brunner advanced the ball to the 5-yard-line on Centre’s final possession. He was sacked back at the 11-yard-line on second down. This was followed by two pass attempts that failed, giving Hope the victory.
Many Cougars got into the act in the overtimes, with good tackling from Antoszyk, Casey Kristek, Jacob Jirak, and Kordell Harding. Shane Methvin broke up a pass.
Brunner had 22 carries for 48 of Centre’s 70 rushing yards. He threw all 16 of Centre’s passes for 89 yards. Hope rushed for 140 yards and gained 53 in the air.
Kerbs caught four passes for 49 yards, and Antoszyk received two passes for 32 yards.
The Cougars were disappointed about the loss to their archrival, but they knew they had given their all. It was their first defeat of the season and maybe their toughest game. Their record is 2-1.
Centre travels to Wakefield Friday.