Staff writer
Although the Cougars lost again Friday, the game against Wakefield was their best of the season. They played a full 48 minutes, losing by 11 points, 39-28. Their opponents outscored them by more than 45 points in each of the first three games of the year.
Wakefield gave up 80 yards on penalties, giving Centre opportunities to score. The Cougars improved their performance on the ground and achieved 16 first downs, one more than Wakefield.
Several times the Cougars found themselves in the red zone, but were held back, unable to score. If they had been successful, they might have been victorious.
Wakefield scored the first touchdown on their first possession and led 8-0 after two minutes of play.
Centre responded with their own touchdown when Tanner Brunner ran into the end zone after receiving a nine-yard pass from Ben Krause. Krause ran for the two-point conversion.
In their next possession, Wakefield stood at second down and 13 yards to go when a receiver caught a 55-yard pass and ran four more yards for a touchdown. The conversion run was good.
They followed that performance with a similar touchdown and led 24-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams put up a strong defense in the second quarter, and no points were scored.
Centre opened the third quarter with an exciting four-minute drive for a touchdown. In an unusual play, a pass by Krause was dropped by the receiver, picked up by a Wakefield player, dropped again, and picked up by Centre and carried to the two-yard line. Krause carried it into the end zone for the score.
The conversion attempt failed, and Wakefield led, 24-14.
On the Bombers’ next possession, Brunner recovered a fumble and ran eight yards for another Cougar touchdown. Brunner caught a pass for the extra-points and the Cougars trailed by two points, 24-22.
The crowd and the team were fired up with the possibility of victory as the third quarter ended.
However, the Bombers scored two consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the last one coming with three seconds to go in the game.
But that wasn’t the end of the contest. Brunner returned Wakefield’s kickoff with a 61-yard run for a touchdown, giving the Cougars six more points and a respectable 39-28 finish.
Centre compiled 191 yards rushing and 137 yards in the air.
Brandon Albrecht had a strong showing on the ground. He led Centre with 19 carries for 116 yards. Brunner was leading receiver with six catches for 87 yards.
Zach Antoszyk led the defense with nine single tackles and 11 assists, followed by Brunner with six singles and 10 assists.
Centre plays Elk Valley Friday in their homecoming game.