After a heartbreaking loss to Bishop Neumann last week, the Centennial football team was looking for a return to the win column at Wilber-Clatonia Oct. 8.
The Broncos accomplished that, downing the Wolverines 35-25.
“It was a hard-hitting, tough game,” Coach Evan Klanecky said. “We have a lot of respect for them.”
He said the Broncos showed a bend don’t break mentality at times. Both teams were able to move the ball, with Centennial finishing with 487 total yards and Wilber-Clatonia 384.
“I felt like we played good, but I never felt we were in control,” Klanecky said.
CHS scored first on a 17-yard run by Jarrett Dodson. Dodson got the starting nod when senior Mike Nisly injured his knee during practice earlier in the week.
Klanecky said he has to remind himself that Dodson is only a sophomore.
“He’s a hard-working, disciplined kid,” Klanecky said.
Lane Zimmer caught a 73-yard pass from Maj Nisly to extend the Bronco lead to 14-0.
The Wolverines responded with a couple big plays of their own – a 47 yard run and a 37-yard pass. WCHS missed on the extra points, however, and the Broncos led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Levi Zimmer joined his brother in the touchdown column in the third quarter when he caught a 64-yard pass from Nisly. He also caught a 39-yard touchdown pass in the quarter.
“They missed some early but then got going and made big plays,” Klanecky said of the Zimmers.
WCHS scored on a three-yard run and a 22-yard run and made one PAT. CHS scored its final touchdown on a one-yard Nisly run in the fourth quarter.
Dodson finished the game with 134 yards on 25 carries. Nisly completed eight of 22 passes for 264 yards, with Lane Zimmer catching two for 103 yards and Levi Zimmer catching two for 98 yards.
On defense, Samuel Payne led the team with six solo tackles and two assists. Jake Bargen added six solo tackles and one assist.
Elijah Utter played a good game as well, Klanecky said. The senior finished with four solo tackles and one assist, recovered a fumble and played all across the line.
The Broncos (5-2) will host Lincoln Lutheran Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. The Warriors are coming off a big win over Bishop Neumann and will provide another challenge for Centennial.
“They’re really tall and athletic,” Klanecky said. “The match-up will be a challenge in our secondary, so we’ll have to put pressure up front.
Oscar Gierup, an exchange student at CHS, was named the scout team player of the week.
