Staff writer
The Centre Cougars were defeated Friday at home by Waverly, 32-28.
Waverly scored a touchdown soon after the beginning of the game to lead 6-0.
The Cougars worked their way down the field, but were fourth and 21 when Tanner Brunner caught a long pass for a first down at the 31-yard line.
After Zach Antoszyk caught a 15-yard pass for another first down, the Cougars found themselves at fourth and four on the eight-yard line. They were stopped just short of the goal line and were forced to turn the ball over on downs.
A malfunction in the field lights caused almost an hour delay of game.
Play resumed with 7:13 remaining in the first quarter. Ben Krause ran two yards for a touchdown. After the conversion attempt failed, the game was tied 6-6.
Waverly scored in the opening drive of the second quarter to add six points. Centre then scored a safety followed by a touchdown on a one-yard run by Krause. Burhoop caught a pass from Krause for the extra points and Centre led, 16-12, at halftime.
Waverly scored the only touchdown in the third quarter, but the fourth quarter had a lot of activity. First, Brian Burhoop received a three-yard pass from Krause for a touchdown. Waverly then added two consecutive touchdowns.
With time running out, Brunner caught a 20-yard pass from Krause for the final touchdown of the game. The conversion failed, and Centre walked away with a four-point defeat.
Coach Kelly Steiner said the team did a lot of passing but couldn’t get its rushing game going. “We had too many passes,” he said. “We also missed some tackles.”
Waverly compiled 238 yards on the ground compared to 135 yards by Centre. Centre compiled 229 yards in the air compared with 75 yards by Waverly.
Brandon Albrecht was Centre’s leading rusher, with 12 carries for 53 yards. Alex Hajek was leading receiver, with five receptions for 101 yards.
Brunner led the defense with five solo and 14 assisted tackles.
The Cougars do not have a game Friday. According to Coach Steiner, the Kansas School for the Deaf was placed in Centre’s district, but the school pulled out in early spring, and Centre was not able to schedule a game with another team.
“I look at it as an automatic win,” Steiner said. If so, it would be Centre’s second win of the season.
Oct. 24 is Parents’ Night and the last home game of the season. The Cougars will play White City.