By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre didn’t need a full game to dominate Goessel on Friday, as the contest ended when the Cougars scored their ninth touchdown early in the fourth quarter, winning 66-20.

The Cougars showed their strength right out the gate and took advantage of several Goessel errors.

After a touchdown by sophomore Jensen Riffel, Xavier Espinoza intercepted a Bluebird pass and ran for 56 yards for another Cougar touchdown. Dalton Stika recovered a fumble in the end zone for the conversion. After just two minutes, Centre led, 16-0.

The Bluebirds scored in their next possession, and Centre answered with a 50-yard touchdown run by quarterback Braxton Smith.

Goessel fumbled the ball on its next possession. It was recovered by Centre, leading to another Cougar touchdown by Espinoza.

Goessel reached the end zone in its next possession, but an offsides penalty on a fourth down brought the ball back, and the Bluebirds turned the ball over on downs. The first quarter ended with Centre leading, 32-8.

After Centre scored again, Goessel lost another touchdown run on a holding call. However, the Bluebirds were able to redeem themselves with a successful touchdown run. Centre’s quarterback Smith was injured.

With freshman Lane Methvin at the helm at 5:12 in the quarter, Centre’s advance continued. The Cougars worked the clock, and Max Svoboda scored with 14 seconds left in the half. Centre led, 44-14.

The Bluebirds had first possession in the second half but turned the ball over on downs. Svoboda scored again for Centre. Kyle Naerebout sacked Goessel’s quarterback for a 16-yard loss during the Bluebirds’ next possession, forcing a punt. After Methvin ran for a touchdown, the Bluebirds got their final touchdown on a pass into the end zone.

Cody Svoboda received a pass and advanced for 6 yards in the fourth quarter, setting up an 8-yard run by Max Svoboda and a touchdown by Riffel to evoke the 45-point rule and end the game.

The five players who scored touchdowns compiled 318 yards rushing, led by Max Svoboda with 107. In addition to his intercepted pass, Espinoza had three receptions for 49 yards.