By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre Cougars and Peabody-Burns Warriors played without electricity for more than half an hour Friday at Bud Peterson Field. Someone kept time on the sideline, and scores were recorded on a large poster board on a stand.

When the scoreboard suddenly lit up at the beginning of the second quarter, Centre led 8-6.

Centre scored first on a run by quarterback Braxton Smith after eight minutes and 20 seconds of play. The extra point attempt was good.

Not to be outdone, the Warriors marched down the field and scored after three consecutive first downs, putting six points on the board in seven minutes and five seconds. The conversion attempt failed, leaving Centre in the lead.

The momentum belonged to Centre in the second quarter. As one player put it, “We remembered how to play.” Smith and Jensen Riffel each scored two touchdowns, leaving the Warriors in the dust. Centre led, 36-6 at halftime.

Peabody had possession in the third quarter when Jensen Riffel caused a fumble and Kyle Naerebout recovered the ball. Xavier Espinoza caught a pass and Smith ran for a first down. Two plays later, Jacob Hird caught a 20-yard pass for a touchdown. Riffel carried the ball in for the conversion, and Centre led, 44-6.

Just when it looked like the game might be cut short due to the 45-point rule, Peabody came back strong in the fourth quarter. After a long possession, the Warriors scored six points with four minutes and 50 seconds remaining. After the conversion attempt failed, the score was 44-14.

In their next possession, the Cougars completed three first downs. With 49 seconds remaining, Aiden Svoboda ran seven yards for a touchdown. The final score was 50-14.

Riffel was Centre’s leading rusher, with 22 carries for 154 of Centre’s 234 yards. Peabody rushed for 136 yards. Smith rushed for 32 yards, and Svoboda rushed for 29.

Smith threw seven completed passes for 96 yards. Peabody gained 38 passing yards.

Espinoza was the leading receiver with four catches for 59 yards. Svoboda caught two for 13 yards.

The Cougars will play at Herington on Friday.