Cougars play full game against Little River
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
After a slow start Friday against Little River at Cougar Field, the Centre High School football team made several impressive gains before being defeated 68-28. The Cougars scored two touchdowns in each of the second and third quarters.
They were in the hole by 32 points at the end of the first quarter, as Little River scored again and again, including one on a kick-off return, and added eight extra points.
The Cougars got their first first down at the end of the quarter.
Konley Harding caught a pass for a 14-yard gain and another first down to open the second quarter. But on the next play, quarterback Ben Krause took a big hit, and the ball was knocked loose and recovered by Little River for another opposing touchdown.
Things were looking hopeless. But then Bryant Brunner caught a long pass from Krause, snatching the almost-intercepted ball out of the hands of the defender and running in for a touchdown. The PAT failed, and the score was 40-6.
Little River added eight more points before Centre was able to score again with 48 seconds remaining in the half. Brunner slipped through the defensive line and ran the ball down to the 12-yard line. Zach Slayden caught a pass from Krause for the Cougars' second touchdown. The PAT failed, and the score at halftime was 48-12.
The third quarter proved to be Centre's most productive quarter. The Cougars scored twice, once on a 26-yard pass to Slayden from Krause and again on a 76-yard fumble return by Brunner. Brandon Albrecht ran and Brunner caught a pass for two successful PATs.
Little River added eight points to lead 48-16 at the end of the quarter. They shut out the Cougars in the fourth and added 14 points, resulting in a 40-point loss for Centre.
The Cougars had very few gains on the ground, 19 carries for 32 yards compared to Little River's 63 carries for 389 yards.
Despite numerous incomplete passes, the Cougars made their best gains in the air, with 14 receptions for 178 yards.
Albrecht was leading rusher, with 33 yards on eight carries. Brunner led in the air with three receptions for 78 yards, followed closely by Slayden, with four receptions for 70 yards.
The Cougars play their final game of the season Thursday at Goessel against the 7-1 Bluebirds.
