Staff writer
It was a sweet victory Friday for the Centre High School Cougars as they defeated Elk Valley, 54-8, in the fall homecoming game.
The win was a major break-through for the team, its first since October 2006.
The outcome was a reverse of the four previous contests, in which the games ended early due to the 45-point rule, with Centre on the losing end.
This time, the onus was on their opponent. The game was called at 5:45 in the third quarter, after Alex Hajek caught a six-yard pass from Tanner Brunner for Centre’s final six points.
Elk Valley opened the contest with a failed on-side kick, which gave the Cougars great field position.
After an incomplete pass, Canh Antoszyk carried the ball 14 yards for a touchdown and Hajek caught a pass from quarterback Ben Krause for the conversion.
The Cougars scored two more times in the first quarter, once on a three-yard run by Krause and again on a 32-yard pass reception by Zach Antoszyk from Krause. Both conversion attempts failed, but Centre led 20-0.
The Lions returned Centre’s kickoff to the six-yard line and opened the second quarter with a touchdown and two-point conversion, for their only points in the game.
It took the Cougars just 11 seconds to come up with a follow-up score. Zach Antoszyk ran 61 yards for a touchdown and Brunner ran for the extra points. Centre led 28-8.
The Cougars struck again at 5:51 on a nine-yard pass from Krause to Hajek. The two connected again one minute and 16 seconds later on a 17-yard pass for Centre’s sixth touchdown.
The final touchdown of the quarter came on a 20-yard return by Zach Antoszyk after he intercepted the ball. Brunner ran for the conversion.
The first half ended with Centre leading 48-8.
The ball changed sides several times in the third quarter before the Cougars struck the fatal blow at 5:45 that ended the game and gave them the victory.
The statistics tell the story. Centre rushed for 92 yards in 29 carries compared to 24 yards in 18 carries by Elk Valley. Centre passed for 120 yards compared to 21 for Elk Valley. Centre had 10 first downs and held Elk Valley to one.
Brandon Albrecht was Centre’s leading rusher, carrying the ball eight times for 33 yards. He was followed by Canh Antoszyk with nine carries for 28 yards.
Krause threw eight completed passes for 173 yards. Zach Antoszyk was leading receiver, catching the ball three times for 103 yards.
Brunner led the defense with four solo and six assisted tackles. Rustyn Kerbs had two solo and seven assisted tackles.
The game against Elk Valley was the first in a series of four district games. Centre plays the next two at home, Friday against Waverly and Oct. 24 against White City. Their final game of the regular season will be Oct. 30 at St. Paul.