Centre defeats Quivira Heights
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The Centre Cougars won their third game of the season Friday at home by defeating Quivira Heights, 30-14.
With hard-hitting ball carrier Seth Jirak out of the running, quarterback Thieen Antoszyk and running back Lance Diepenbrock stepped up to provide a total of 287 yards rushing.
Ben Krause started at the quarterback position but had difficulty getting the ball off without being sacked. He was replaced by Antoszyk.
The Cougars were relentless on defense and, after getting warmed up, showed offensive strength.
Quivira Heights scored the first touchdown on one of the first plays in the game, when Centre fumbled the ball and Heights picked it up near the end zone and ran 11 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point PAT was good, giving Heights an 8-0 lead.
Centre's first touchdown also came on a fumble recovery. Alfonse Klenda returned the fumble 15 yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed, and Heights led 8-6.
Neither team scored in the second quarter as the tug of war continued.
After several fumbles, setbacks, and incomplete passes, the Cougars scored again at 4:25 in the third quarter. Antoszyk ran 19 yards for a touchdown and also ran for the PAT, resulting in a 14-8 lead at the end of the quarter.
Shortly into the fourth quarter, the Cougars advanced toward Heights' end zone. Diepenbrock took the ball across the line in a two-yard run. He also ran for the extra points, and Centre led 22-8.
On Heights second possession after getting the ball back, Centre's Kevin Mueller intercepted a pass, putting the Cougars on Height's 13-yard line. Diepenbrock rushed for three yards followed by a 10-yard run by Antoszyk for another touchdown. The score stood at 30-8.
Later in the quarter, Heights intercepted a pass at their own 13-yard line. After rushing for 32 yards in the next three plays, they executed a 49-yard completed pass for a touchdown. The PAT failed, and the 30-14 score proved to be final.
Both teams were about equal on first downs. Centre had 33 carries for 199 yards rushing. Heights had 45 carries for 117 yards.
Heights excelled in the air, catching 11 of 24 passes for 120 yards. Centre was just 4-of-16 in pass receptions for a total of 40 yards. Both teams threw two interceptions.
Antoszyk was Centre's leading rusher with 16 carries for 107 yards. He also threw three passes for 29 yards.
Diepenbrock had 12 carries for 80 yards. Mueller intercepted the ball twice for 12 yards.
"We played a very good second half," said Coach Kelly Steiner. "Lance and Thieen both ran the ball well."
The Cougars will play Friday in a homecoming contest with Burrton.
