Staff writer
Any doubts Centre fans had about the Cougars’ ability to win football games this year were erased Friday when Centre defeated Peabody, 54-20, in the opening game of the season.
There were a lot of penalties on both sides. Centre’s mistakes included three passes for interceptions, numerous offsides, and a couple of personal fouls, for a total loss of 80 yards. But those mistakes were overcome by tough defense and good protection for quarterback Tanner Brunner.
During the first half of the game, the teams seemed evenly matched. Peabody scored first on a long run. Centre tied the game and went on to an 18-8 lead, but Peabody came back to score two touchdowns and take a 20-18 lead in the middle of the second quarter.
However, in the Cougars’ next possession, pass receptions by Casey Kristek and Cole Svoboda took the Cougars to their 1-yard line, and Brunner sneaked in for the touchdown with five seconds to go in the half. The conversion attempt failed, but Centre led, 24-20.
From then on, the game seemed to be squarely in Centre’s court. The Cougars scored again just a minute and a half into the third quarter. The 2-point conversion gave Centre a 32-20 lead.
Centre added two more points when a misguided snap by Peabody sent the football into Centre’s end zone for a safety, their second one of the game.
The Cougars scored again near the end of the quarter. Cole Svoboda caught a pass from Brunner for the two-point conversion, and Centre led, 42-20.
Centre kept Peabody scoreless in the fourth quarter while adding two more touchdowns. The final touchdown came on a 61-yard run by Rustyn Kerbs, resulting in a 54-20 victory for the Cougars.
Brunner was Centre’s leading rusher with 19 carries for 129 yards, followed by Kerbs, eight carries for 98 yards, and Kristek, six carries for 53 yards.
Brunner threw 18 passes for 141 yards. Kerbs led pass receivers with three receptions for 69 yards. Kordell Harding had a pass interception and a 14-yard run.
On the defensive side of the game, Kristek had 13 tackles and five assists. Brunner produced 11 tackles and nine assists, and Methvin had eight tackles and five assists.
The Cougars play Little River Friday on the road.