Undefeated Panthers win, 39-14
Listen below to Clark County Head Coach Ethan Allen discuss the game against Centralia.
Listen below to Centralia Head Coach Tyler Forsee discuss the win over Clark County.
It started out really fun for Centralia fans, when Beau Hatton turned a kickoff return to a 75-yard touchdown run followed by a successful extra point kick by Anthony Ford.
The black and white good vibrations continued a few minutes later when Centralia quarterback Cullen Bennett dropped a 20-yard pass into Ford’s waiting hands to make it 13-0, Centralia with 5:41 left in the quarter.
Blocking for a gain
The Clark County Indians took payback seriously though and by 10:16 in the second, they had two touchdowns and two two-point conversions on the board and led Centralia 14-13.
“That might be the best team we have played,” Centralia Head Coach Tyler Forsee said afterward.
Touchdowns by Centralia’s Jesse Caballero – a 22-yard rush, and Hatton – a 48-yard pass reception had the game back in Centralia’s hands, 25-14 at halftime.
“We had a lot of really big plays out of a lot different people. And I’ve got to say, that is awesome, when it’s not a one-man show, but a darn team victory. That was a complete win. Whether it was throwing, whether it was running. Defense, after their first couple drives, it was No Mas. We were done with them. It turns out they can’t block Ashton either.”
Clark County did not score again after the second quarter, but Centralia did.
The scored eight points in the third, a 37-yard pass to Caballero, followed by a two-point conversion to Caballero and a one-yard run by Braedyn Decker in the fourth.
Ashton Price led the Panther defense that held the Indians to 201 yards, 149 in the air and 52 on the ground.
Price had nine tackles, one assisted and eight solo.
Emory Mast has seven tackles, two assisted and five total. Wyatt Bryson had six tackles – one assisted and five solos.
Ian Tuggle and Hatton also had six each. Tuggle had six solos and Hatton had one assisted and five solos, along with one.
The Panther offense took 395 yards, 196 passing and 199 rushing.
Bennett threw three touchdown passes, completing 12 out of 27 attempts, with no interceptions.
Caballero rushed for 95 yards in 11 attempts, scoring one of his two touch downs. Decker was 26 for eight and one touchdown.
Next Friday, the 6-0 Panthers roll north to play the 3-3 Highland Cougars, who have lost to Clark County, 34-8 and to Monroe City, 30-14.
For more, see next week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.
Ian Tuggle zooms in for a tackle
Jesse Caballero lungs across for a TD
Cullen Bennett runs for a first down
Caballero celebrates a TD
Anthony Ford on his way to a TD
