By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

A kick-off return by Xavier Espinoza for a touchdown followed by a conversion run by Jensen Riffel got the Cougars off to a flying start Friday at Wakefield.

It was the first of nine touchdowns: four each by Espinoza and Riffel, and one by Kyle Naerebout.

Centre outrushed Wakefield 288-201, but Wakefield had the advantage in the air with nine receptions for 153 yards compared with four receptions for 24 yards by Centre.

Espinoza, playing quarterback in place of the injured Braxton Smith, logged 105 yards rushing, followed by Aiden Svoboda, 91; Riffel, 81; and Lane Methvin, 11.

Svoboda caught three passes for 16 yards, and Naerebout caught one pass for eight yards and a touchdown.

Centre’s record is 2-1 in district play and 4-2 overall. The last home game is Friday against archrival Rural Vista.