Burnett, Jirak have huge games in victory against Wakefield
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The Centre Cougars traveled to Wakefield Friday and defeated the Bombers, 62-44, for the second win of the season.
The two teams were neck-and-neck in the first half, each scoring 16 points.
Centre's first touchdown came near the end of the first quarter on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Dustin Burnett to Brent Potocnik. Lance Diepenbrock ran for the two-point conversion.
Burnett ran 43 yards in the second quarter to score, and Jirak ran for the two-point conversion.
All of Wakefield's first-half points came in the second quarter, after scoring a safety, two touchdowns, and one run for two extra points.
The Cougars exploded in the second half, adding 22 points in the third quarter and 24 in the fourth, compared to 28 total points by Wakefield.
Seth Jirak scored on a four-yard run and Thieen Antoszyk caught a pass from Burnett for the extra points.
Antoszyk caught an eight-yard pass from Burnett in the end zone for the fourth touchdown of the game. The extra-point attempt failed.
With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Jirak scored again with a 20-yard run. A pass from Burnett to Potocnik gained the extra points.
Near the end of the quarter, Wakefield scored and completed the extra-point attempt to garner eight points.
The Bombers came back strong in the fourth quarter, scoring early.
But the Cougars came right back with a touchdown by Antoszyk on a 46-yard pass from Burnett.
Centre's final 16 points came on a seven-yard run by Jirak, an extra-point run by Antoszyk, a 59-yard pass from Burnett to Potocnik, and a PAT run by Jeremy Kristek.
Wakefield scored two more touchdowns, but the effort came too late.
Centre gained 329 yards rushing compared to 175 yards by Wakefield. They gained 157 yards passing compared to Wakefield's 215.
Jirak led the rushing game with 17 carries for 98 yards. Burnett provided all the passing yards. Potocnik was leading receiver with two catches for 70 yards.
Bryant Gutsch led the defense with five unassisted and 10 assisted tackles.
Coach Bud Peterson was pleased with the win. He said the team showed good character in the second half after a tied first half.
Fullback Diepenbrock suffered a fractured ankle during the contest and will be out of play for at least four or five games.
The Cougars play the Hope Lions Friday at Centre's fall homecoming.
