Staff writer
The Centre Junior High School football team is 4-0 after Thursday’s 20-16 win over Hope on the road.
The prospect of a victory remained uncertain after Hope scored twice in the first quarter and led 16-0. But those were the only points the Lions were able to put on the board.
In the second quarter, Kendall Harding returned a punt for 32 yards to score Centre’s first touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, and Centre trailed 16-6.
The third quarter decided the outcome of the game. Harding began the quarter with a 39-yard run for a touchdown. With 30 seconds remaining in the quarter, Houston Svoboda received a five-yard pass from Justin Deines to score another touchdown. Kodey Johnson caught a pass from Deines for the conversion.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, but Centre walked away with a four-point win.
Dylan Svitak was the leading defender with eight solo and three assisted tackles. Kendall Harding had six solo and three assisted tackles.
Other tacklers were: Ty Simons 1-5, Deines 2-1, Svoboda 2-6, Kyle Methvin 2-0, and Terren Thompson 2-2.