Panthers lose 20-14 to Macon
The regular season is over for the Centralia Football Panthers.
It did not end the way they wanted. Centralia lost to Macon 20-14 at Macon’s Hugh Dunn Stadium.
Centralia finished the season 7-2, Macon, 8-1.
Centralia was scheduled to play MMA in the first round of districts, but they have forfeited.
Centralia Head Football Coach Tyler Forsee said Centralia has a bye in the first round of the district championships and will play the winner of the Hallsville vs Palmyra game. That game will be in Centralia, he said.
Centralia’s two touchdowns came in the first half.
Both were Cullen Bennett handoffs to Kyden Wilkerson for the touchdown, followed by Nathan Timpe extra points. Timpe only missed one kick during the regular season.
Wilkerson’s first touchdown run was for 43 yards, he second, for 54.
Wilkerson finished the night with a game-leading 174 rushing yards in 16 attempts.
Bennett passed for 33 yards, in nine attempts when four completions in nine attempts.
Macon quarterback MyKel Linear rushed for 108 yards in 15 attempts. He passed for 98 yards, with 16 completions in 22 attempts.
At the end of the first quarter the game was tied at seven.
At halftime it was tied at 14.
At the end of the third it was still tied at 14.
Then in the fourth, Centralia threatened but could not complete.
A Macon interceptions cancelled their last drive and Macon chipped down the field culminating in a two-yard swing around the south end of Centralia’s line to get Macon to 20.
Centralia’s offense took 238 yards from Macon while its defense held Macon’s to 329.
According to the preliminary statistics, Beau Hatton led Centralia’s defense with 8.5 tackles – five solos and seven assisted. Jesse Shannon also had 8.5, eight solos, one assisted and one tackle for a loss. Seth Hasekamp had five tackles, three solos and four assisted. Jack Romine had five as well, three solos and four assisted. Ethan Adams, Wilkerson and Brayden Shelton each had 4.5 total tackles.
For the full article see next week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.