Big 2nd half propels Centralia to huge win over Onaga

The Centralia Panthers played host to the Onaga Buffaloes in week 8 in a huge district and league competition. 

If the Panthers won, they would secure a 5th straight league and district title, if the Buffaloes won, everything would have became a three-way tie with Valley Heights in the mix. 

Going into the game, Centralia had won 25 straight games over Onaga and hadn't lost to them since 1998. In the first half, the game was as tight as can be. After each team was unable to score on their first possesion, the Buffaloes struck first. Ryder Kolterman found Jesse Miller for a 28-yard TD to put Onaga up 6-0. That score held for the rest of the quarter. 

Centralia put together a 7-play 92 yard TD drive, with Quentin Alderfer finding the end zone from 40 yards out to tie the game. 6-6 was our halftime score. 

Onaga utilized a surprise onside kick to start the second half and recovered. Ryder Kolterman immediately took advantage, scampering 38 yards to put the Buffs up 12-6. Again, Centralia quickly responded, one play, 65 yards later, Quentin Alderfer tied it up at 12, two point conversion good, put the Panthers up 14-12. 

After turning Onaga over on downs, Centralia scored again, with Alderfer hitting paydirt again from a yard out, 22-12 Panthers. 

Centralia turned the Buffaloes over a couple more times on downs, before scoring another TD with less than a minute to go. Degan Ronnebaum found the endzone from 10 yards out and the Panthers secured a 29-12 victory. 

Quentin Alderfer was the Player of the Game, with 20 carries, 249 yards and 3 TDs. Coach Roger Holthaus for Centralia in his 5th season, has never lost a district game. 

The Panthers (5-3) play host to Jackson Heights next week, while Onaga (5-3) finishes third in the district and travles to St. Mary's. Both of those games are first round playoff matchups.