Centre Cougars maul St. John's Military
The Centre High School Cougars traveled Friday to Salina to play St. John's Military in the season opener. They won handily, 58-6.
The first touchdown came on the opening kickoff by St. John's, as Dustin Burnett returned the ball 74 yards across the goal line.
Scott Peterson scored the second touchdown on a pass from quarterback Seth Jirak with three minutes to go in the first quarter.
St. John's only touchdown came in the beginning of the second quarter. Centre followed with two more touchdowns but didn't score again until the fourth quarter, when they entered the end zone three more times. Four total extra points were added.
The team rushed 39 times for 141 yards compared to 41 times and 41 yards by St. John's. Centre had two turnovers and St. John's had six.
Tad Remy rushed for 88 yards, and Seth Jirak passed for 148 yards. Remy was leading receiver. He gained 62 yards on two pass receptions. Scott Peterson gained 59 yards on two receptions.
Remy led defensively with four unassisted and 13 assisted tackles. Peterson and Steve Hageberg each recovered a fumble.
"I felt we played a good game for the first time out," said coach Bud Peterson. "Even though we lost 60 yards on eight penalties, we got a good win."
He said he was able to play a lot of combinations and give everyone some playing time.
The team plays Wakefield Friday at home.
"Wakefield was picked to win the league this year but lost Friday to White City," Peterson said. "We'll see if we will be able to meet the challenge."
STATISTICS
Centre 58, St. John's 6
Team play, Centre first: first downs, 12/8; rushing, 39 carries -141 yds., 41-41; passing, 10-21-1-190, 1-2-30; punts, 2-62, 5-134; punt returns, 2-25, 2-33; fumbles, 2 lost 2, 6 lost 6; penalties, 8-60, 10-57.
Rushing: Bryant Gutsch, 6-11; Seth Jirak, 11-40; Tad Remy, 17-88; Keenan Geissert, 1-5; Jeremy Kristek, 2-6; Thieen Antoszyk, 1-0.
Passing: Jirak, 7-15-1-148; Andrew Hajek, 2-3-34; Antoszyk, 1-1-8.
Pass receptions: Gutsch, 1-5; Remy, 2-62; Dustin Burnett, 1-13; Scott Peterson, 2-59; Brent Potocnik, 1-9; Jirak, 2-34; Kevin Mueller, 1-8.
Tackles, unassisted/assisted: Remy 4/13; Joe Bonner, 2/7; Burnett, 4/6; Peterson 4/3; Keenan Geissert, 1/6; Lance Diepenbrock, 1/2; Steve Hageberg, 0/3; Aaron Bowman, 0/3; Jirak, 0/6; Matt Leach, 2/1.
