Ranked Centralia Slips Past Clark County

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The ninth-ranked Centralia Panthers visited Clark County on Friday, September 30. After falling a week earlier at Class 1 top-ranked Monroe City, the Panthers were looking to dominate Clark County.

That didn’t happen.

The Indians were ready to play on Friday, and drove to midfield before having to punt. Centralia went nowhere on their opening possession. On third and 11, Boden Klein picked off a Cullen Bennett pass. Three plays later, Jonny Shinn weaved his way through the Panther defense, then jetted to the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt failed, but the Indians led 6-0 with 7:43 on the clock in the first quarter.

Clark County’s defense turned away the Panthers two more times in the first quarter, both times deep in Indian territory.

Centralia took the lead with 4:08 left in the first half on 36-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was good, and the Panthers led 7-6.

The Indians worked a 10-play, 62 yard drive to score with just 36 seconds remaining in the half, as CallanWheeler ran the ball in from 15 yards away. The conversion was stopped, and Clark County led 12-7.

After the kickoff return, Centralia connected on a long pass, but Lucus Eddleman ran down the Panther received just short of the goal line as time expired, and the Indians had a 12-7 halftime lead.

Centralia took the lead again with 5:08 in the third quarter, scoring from two yard out. The kick gave them a 14-12 lead.

Centralia’s kickoff was mishandled by the Indians, and they would start their drive at their own two-yard line. A sack and fumble gave the Panthers the ball at the Clark County three-yard line, and Centralia scored on the next play, taking a 21-12 lead after the extra point.

Clark County scored again early in the fourth quarter, as Wheeler scrambled out of a broken play and scored a 42-yard TD. Again, the conversion came up short, and Clark County trailed 21-18.

Centralia scored once more to claim take a 28-18 lead. The Indians had two more tries in the closing minutes, but couldn’t get another big play, and dropped to a 3-3 record with the loss.

On paper, the game was as close as it was on the field. Centralia edged the Indians in total yards 329-307. Centralia led in passing yards, while the Indians had the ground game advantage. Wheeler ran for 101 yards, and Shinn gained 85. Wyatt Randall pounded out 22 yards. Eddleman led the Indian receivers with 63 yards, and Koy Nixon added 27.

Clark County travels to 0-6 Palmyra next Friday.