Centralia scores with less than 10 seconds left to take thrilling regional game over McLouth, 28-20

McLouth and Centralia matched up in the regional round of the 1A classification, and it turned out to be one of the best games of the year. 

The Bulldogs got the ball to start the game and after 3 plays, got a 59-yard touchdown run from Beau Harsh, 8-0 McLouth. On Centralia's first possession, they went for it on 4th and 15 from the McLouth 40 and got tackled 2 yards short on the play. The Bulldogs put together a more methodical drive this time, with freshman Barrett Harsh running in a 23-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. 

That score held for the rest of the first quarter, but early in the second quarter, Centralia got on the board when senior quarterback Quentin Alderfer scampered for a 41-yard touchdown, 14-6. McLouth was turned away on downs on their next drive, and the Panthers moved into McLouth territory, but they fumbled the ball away. Three plays later, Jayden Talley picked off a Justin Patz pass, and returned it inside the Bulldogs 10. A couple plays later, Alderfer punched in another touchdown run, 14-14 was the halftime score. 

Centralia got the ball to start the second half, and again moved into McLouth territory before fumbling. McLouth got inside the Panthers redzone, but turned it over on downs. Neither team scored on their next drive either. The Panthers got the ball back with 34 seconds left in the 3rd quarter from their own 25 yard line. 

They put together a 12 play, 75 yard TD drive, taking 7:06 off the game clock. Degan Ronnebaum ran in the score from six yards out to make it 20-14. McLouth got it back with 5:28 to go, and orchastrated a fantastic drive, with Patz getting in from two yards out with 90 seconds to go in regulation. Two-point attempt no good, setting up a 20-20 tie. 

Centralia moved into McLouth territory with less than 40 seconds to go with no timeouts. On 2nd and 20 from the McLouth 30, after a holding penalty, Alderfer found Bronx Talley for a 21-yard completion. On 1st and goal from the 9, Alderfer was brought down at the 2. On second and goal, with 15 seconds left at the snap, Alderfer got in from 2 yards out to put them up 28-20 after the conversion. Patz threw an incompletion on the final play of the game. 

The Bulldogs season comes to an end at 8-2 in an all-time classic football game. Centralia moves to 7-3 on the season and into the sectional round where they will host St. Mary's next Friday at 7 p.m. 

Quentin Alderfer was the Player of the Game with 29 carries, 222 yards and 3 TDs. He also was 2-3 passing for 34 yards. In the loss, Beau Harsh led the ground attack for McLouth with 16 carries, 120 yards and a TD. Peyton Wyatt had 18 carries for 113 yards.