staff photo by rowena plett
Max Svoboda is tripped by a Herington player Friday during Centre’s game at Herington against the Railers. Svoboda led Centre’s rushing offense including a 52-yard run for a touchdown. Centre lost, 30-16.
Costly fumble stokes Centre’s 30-16 loss
Staff writer
Centre played football against Herington on Friday for the first time in more than 30 years at Herington.
The Railers joined the Wheat State League this year.
Herington scored first, but the Cougars matched them score for score until late in the third quarter. The score was 16-16 and Centre was near their end zone when a fumbled lateral pass resulted in a turnover.
From then on, the momentum seemed to change in favor of the Railers. Herington went on to score 14 more points to win 30-16.
Dylan Deines’s 10-yard reception from quarterback Cole Methvin and an extra-point reception by Cody Svoboda in the second quarter tied the game at 8 all.
Less than a minute after Herington scored another 8 points, Max Svoboda returned the ball 52 yards for a touchdown and Methvin ran for the extra points and a 16-16 tie.
After Centre turned the ball over, the Railers capitalized on several long runs to win the game by 14 points.
Svoboda compiled 182 rushing yards and 16 receiving yards to lead the offense. Jensen Riffel had 11 carries for 57 yards, and Dylan Deines had two receptions for 24 yards.
Methvin threw 8 completed passes for 90 yards and threw 2 interceptions. Kyle Naerebout was the leading tackler.
“The Railers brought their ‘A’ game, and we made too many mistakes,” coach Matt Warta said. “Our team still has fire in their eyes and is ready to take on Burlingame this week.”
They will play Friday at home.