Center takes first district game from Canton 57-34

Usually, when Center folk journey to Canton, it’s because they are passing by on their way to Dallas or they are stopping to shop with the countless hordes on the “First Monday Trade Days” they call it.

But last Friday, about 300 Center folks traveled to Canton to watch a Roughrider team that was in no mood for trading.

“It’s the start of district so we’re all looking to step our game up a notch,” head coach Rick Meeks said before the game. “If we communicate and recognize tendencies, we’ll be fine.”

The Eagles won the toss and elected to take the ball in the second half, kicking to Center to begin the game. Quarterback Cash Cross completed two first down passes to Timothy Johnson and Kaden Dixon carried for several big gains including the 6-yard TD run with 8:26 to go in the first quarter. Hernandez’ PAT made it 7-0.

The Center defense held the Eagles to a 3-and-out, and Timothy Johnson returned the punt 57 yards for the second touchdown. Another Hernandez PAT made it 14-0.

The Eagles faced another 3rd and long on the next possession. But a determined run by senior running back Tim Petrie continued the drive that used most of the rest of the quarter and culminated with a wildcat snap to senior tackle Jon Berry for a once-in-a-lifetime TD run. The PAT made it 14-7 with just 1:10 left in the first quarter. Center scored again before the quarter ended. On the ensuing Canton kick-off, Center’s Jermain Hunter returned the ball to the Canton 15-yard line. On third down, Kaden Dixon ran untouched for a 14-yard score with 14 seconds remaining. Hernandez’ Pat gave Center a 21-0 lead.

Unbelievably, Canton would go 3-andout before the 14 seconds ticked away. They punted it back to Center to end the first stanza.

The Roughriders began the quarter with a couple of first downs, but the drive stalled near midfield. On 4th down, the Riders tried a fake punt by snapping to the up-man and attempting a quick pass. The receiver caught the ball but was tackled short of the first down, giving Canton the ball right at the 50-yard line.

Though it took the Eagles nearly half the quarter, they covered the 52 yards and scored with 6:36 to go in the half. The PAT made it 21-14.

“They have gotten some good play from their right tackle Dane Dial,” announcer Larry Pierce said. “He’s contained the outside several times during this drive and has keyed this touchdown drive.”

The Eagles executed a perfect onside kick, temporarily giving them all the momentum and getting them as close as they would get all night to a lead. But an offside call on the Eagles negated the recovery and they had to kick it away.

On the third play of the drive, quarterback Cash Cross took the keeper 56 yards for a score and the Riders hurried the special teams in for a quick and successful 2-point conversion to make it 29-14. The drive took exactly one minute.

The Center defense forced a 3-and-out and Canton punted to Center. The next score took 12 seconds as Cross faked the give to Dixon and threw a 60-yard TD strike to Da’Calvion Edwards. Hernandez added one to make it 36-14.

Canton’s next drive went for 50 yards, but the Rider defense held them on 4th and 7, giving the offense the ball on the Eagle 36. On 2nd down, with just 22 seconds left in the half, Cash Cross kept it and zig-zagged his way for another long touchdown run, this one 64 yards.

So far this season, Center Kicker Carlos Hernandez has been perfect. He’s made two long field goals and he’s not missed an extra point. But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty would back this extra point up so that he was forced to try from 35 yards out.

“It’s my fault,” announcer Chris Watlington said. “Less than two minutes ago, I made the comment that Hernandez has been perfect this season. I jinxed him.”

Turns out, Watlington was wrong: Hernandez split the uprights to make the score at halftime 43-14 and remain perfect on the season.

During halftime, the Roughrider band looked good, marching for the first time with their reduced numbers in preparation for marching contest that’s coming soon.

“We always begin the season with our full band on the field,” director Chris Smith said. “But in mid-to-late September, we begin trimming to find our contest group. That will start in Canton.”

Shelby County’s sweethearts, the Chaparrals, performed a flawless pom routine to the country hit “Flatliner.”

Center fans got to see the Eagle band, an award winning corp band. Their program told a story and featured several talented soloists.

As the second half commenced, we learned an amazing statistic: in the first half, Center had just seven first downs — but six touchdowns. Big plays ruled the first half.

The Eagles got the second half kick-off and started at their 25-yard line. They used four minutes to get to the opposite 25 to face 4th down-and-two. The handoff was stuffed by Mason Mayo and company; the Center defense gave the ball back to the offense on the Canton 20.

Two plays later on 3rd and 3, Kaden Dixon broke one tackle and sprinted free for a 73-yard touchdown. Hernandez’ PAT made it 50-14.

Canton’s next possession took up most of the remaining time in the quarter. From the Center 20-yard line, Canton’s quarterback threw into the end zone where a Center defender waited for the ball. He swatted at it, but instead of batting it away, he tipped it into the Eagle receiver’s hands. The PAT was no good.

“That’s a defensive trend for this team,” Roughrider broadcaster Stephen Shires said. “We rarely get beat on a pattern - we’re usually in good position - but often times we just miss the play.”

The Roughriders began their next drive with 3:36 left in the quarter. They picked up two first downs and drove the ball to the Eagle 22-yard line. Facing 4th and three, Cross rolled right looking for a receiver then decided to run, breaking two tackles enroute to the Riders’ final score of the night. For a second time, a penalty moved the PAT back giving Hernandez a 25-yard challenge … which he met squarely, keeping his season perfect and giving Center a 57-20 lead.

The 4th quarter belonged to Canton as Center began using substitute players. The Eagles put together two scoring drives, the last completed with 36 seconds remaining in the game. The final score was Center 57, Canton 34.

“I’m proud of the win, but we also fell into some bad habits on both sides of the ball,” Meeks said during postgame. “Now those habits are out there on film. We’re gonna have to address those as district continues.”

And it will continue back in Center as the Rusk Eagles fly in for Homecoming. Center lost to Rusk last year, so the Riders look to avenge that loss in a high-stakes district/ homecoming showdown Friday night.

The kick-off will be at 7:30; the coronation ceremony will begin at 7:00.