Staff writer
The Centre High School Cougars experienced another tough night Friday in a home game against Hope.
The Lions sprung to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter before the Cougars were able to move the ball down the field and score a touchdown in the second quarter. Shane Methvin carried the ball 27 yards for the score. The conversion attempt failed, making the score, 20-6.
An intercepted pass by the Lions a few possessions later put Hope on a drive to another touchdown. Despite a quarterback sack, a delay-of-game penalty, and an incomplete pass, the Lions found the end zone. The halftime score was 26-6.
Things went from bad to worse for Centre in the second half, as the Lions kept the Cougars scoreless and added three touchdowns and six extra points.
With time running out, Houston Svoboda caught a 19-yard pass from Justin Deines to score the Cougars’ second touchdown. The clock stood at 0, and no extra-point play was made.
Rushing and passing statistics tell the story. Hope had 36 carries for 113 yards. Centre had 37 carries for 35 yards. Deines passed the ball 24 times for 11 completions and 122 yards. Hope had 10 receptions for 197 yards.
Svoboda was Centre’s leading pass receiver, with five receptions for 71 yards, followed by Shane Methvin with three receptions for 39 yards.
Hope lost the ball three times on eight fumbles. Centre lost the ball once on four fumbles. Both teams lost 15 yards on penalties.
Still looking for a victory, the Cougars play on the road Friday at White City.