Centennial’s football team ended its season at home Oct. 23 with a 58-18 loss to Exeter-Milligan-Friend. The Broncos ended the season with a 4-5 record.
“We faced a very solid football team that did not make many mistakes. We had a few miscues early, but our guys continued to battle throughout the entire game,” Coach Riley Ostendorf said. “They never backed down, never rolled over, and continued to compete until the final whistle. That is something I am extremely proud of.”
The Bobcats scored the first points of the game on a 17-yard run and two-point conversion, but Tripp Hawley took the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 8-6.
EMF scored the next two touchdowns to build a 24-6 lead, but then Owen Naber stripped the ball from the EMF ballcarrier and raced 70 yards for six points.
The Bobcats pushed the lead to 45-12 before the Broncos scored again, this time on a 71-yard pass from Parker Perry to Hawley.
Perry finished the game completing 17 of 32 pass attempts for 196 yards. For the defense, Evan Crawford recorded eight solo tackles and seven assists.
While the season did not end as the team had hoped, Ostendorf was pleased with what the Broncos accomplished this season.
“After not winning a game last year, our guys realized that something needed to change and that we needed to put in more work,” he said. “They completely bought in on March 3 when we started our spring morning weights.”
They kept showing up and pushing each other to get better, he said.
“Our seniors (Ryan Fehlhafer, Owen Naber, Kade McFadden, Marshal Pankoke Jr. and Chase Robinson) deserve a tremendous amount of credit for the leadership they provided, not only during the season but throughout the offseason. They set the standard, showed the younger guys what it takes to be successful, and led by example through their work ethic and commitment,” Ostendorf said.
He is most proud of what the team is doing off the field as they develop into leaders in the classroom, school and community.
“Football is about much more than wins and losses, and I truly believe the lessons these young men are learning will stick with them long after their playing days are over,” he said. “We have made tremendous strides as a program, but we know there is another level we can reach.”
While they are proud of the success this season, Ostendorf said, they are not satisfied.
