Centennial pulls off shocker in opener vs. Rams

MHC FOOTBALL – The Eagles race to a 21-0 first half lead and are never challenged

By David Ball

The Gresham Outlook, Sep 26, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

David Ball / The Outlook

Centennial quarterback Kyle Wolf darts toward the end zone to give the Eagles an early 14-0 lead Friday against Central Catholic.

Central Catholic is still trying to find out what it ran into Friday night. The Rams walked on the field dazed and confused, and Centennial pounced on every opportunity to smash Central Catholic 39-27 in the league opener.

The Eagles took command on the game in the first half when Kevin Bannister’s 21-yard sprint down the sideline gave the team a 21-0 lead. The touchdown was set up after Central snapped the ball over the punter’s head, and the Eagles’ Denzel Kankam recovered near midfield.

It was one of four fumbles on the night by Central with Kankam coming away with two of them and also notching a quarterback sack.

“We were playing fast on ‘D’ wrapping up on tackles and swatting at the ball,” Centennial linebacker Trey Danner said.

“Those early turnovers were the game,” Centennial coach Chris Knudsen said. “That helped us get out to a lead and after that we were able to hide the ball and run the clock.”

An extended halftime didn’t seem to help Central regain its’ focus, as the Rams opened the second half with a player snagging the kickoff and falling out of bounds inside his own 10-yard line.

Centennial’s defense forced a quick three-and-out and took possession at the 40-yard line. The Eagles drove down the field with a steady flow of running play, converting a pair of third downs in the process. The team appeared to be stopped after coming up short of the chains on a run into the middle.

But Knudsen wanted this game over, so he kept his offense on the field for a key fourth-down play. Central Catholic players waved their arms hoping to get some noise out of the visitor’s bleachers, only to see Centennial quarterback Nate Wolf snap the ball and flip it quickly outside to Bannister, who won a short race to the pylon to make the margin 27-7.

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