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Panthers travel to Cougars’ lair

Posted on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 5:54 am

Centralia undefeated after 43-0 win

Listen below to Highland Head Coach Caleb Armsman discuss the Centralia game. Fireside Guard Live! sponsored by Cox’s Barber Shop

Listen below to Centralia Head Coach Tyler Forsee discuss the game vs Highland. Fireside Guard Live! sponsored by Cox’s Barber Shop. 

Football weather the Centralia Panthers and the Highland Cougars met in Ewing the evening of October 6. The weather and the Panthers came away the winners.

Though the thermometer read in the low 50’s it felt more like 43, the number of points 7-0 Centralia scored while shutting out the 3-4 Cougars, 43-0.

Centralia scored early and often.

 

Cayden Dunn makes an end-zone catch

Cayden Dunn scored first, barely two minutes into the game.

“Not starting fast has been a problem, hopefully after these last two games a problem of the past,” Centralia Head Coach Tyler Forsee said afterward, standing in the center of windblown Cougar Field. “I think we’ve begun doing a good job of coming out and putting our foot on the pedal and getting onto that fast start. I think that’s important in any game, tough matchup or not. Tonight the kids did a good job of that.”

“Good job,” meant finishing the first quarter with 14 points; the second quarter with 36 points; the third quarter with 43 points and holding the Cougars to zero.

“Good job” meant Centralia’s offense taking 361 yards away from the Cougars, 69 in the air and 292 on the ground.

“Good job” meant Centralia’s defense holding Highland 61 yards, 28 in the air and 33 on the ground.

“Hats off to the Centralia defense,” Cougars Head Coach Caleb Armsman said afterward. “They knew our run game has been our bread and butter this year. They brough pressure and stuffed it pretty easily.”

Emery Mast led that defense with seven tackles, three solo and four assisted.

He was supported by Beau Hatton who had 5 tackles, two solos and three assisted.

Cullen Bennett hands off to Jesse Caballero

Drayden Conde finds a hole

Braeden Russell tries to block a kick

Braedyn Decker dives across for a touchdown

Drayden Conde, Ian Tuggle and Jesse Caballero had three tackles each. Tuggle was two and one. Conde and Caballero were both one and two.

On the scoring side of the sheet, Centralia quarterback Cullen Bennett threw one touchdown pass, to Dunn, and rushed for two more.

Caballero, Conde and Brayden Decker each rushed for a touchdown.

Friday, October 13, Centralia rolls north to Shelbina for the Clarence Cannon Conference championship game against undefeated South Shelby. For more, see next week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.