It was a battle of #1 vs. #2 in 1A on Friday night in Centralia as the Panthers hosted the two-time defending Champs in the Olpe Eagles. 

#1 Centralia was able to hold off 2nd ranked Olpe with an 8-7 win to advance to the Sub-State round. 

Olpe's lone score was in the second quarter as Truman Bailey capped off a 90-yard touchdown drive with a four yard touchdown run. The Eagles would take a 7-0 lead into halftime. 

Centralia's four possessions in the first half resulted in three turnovers and one punt yet they were only down one score halfway through. 

The Panthers got their lone score on their first drive in the third quarter as quarterback Trenton Talley busted through with a 53 yard touchdown run. Centralia was lining up to kick the extra point but a penalty on the Eagles gave the Panthers a shot to go for two on the one yard line and they were able to convert and take the lead 8-7.

Talley finished the game with 96 rushing yards and that lone touchdown while Drew Gibbs rushed for 105 yards to lead Centralia. 

That score would hold up as Centralia's defensive front owned the game with a bevy of sacks and pressures all night. 

Olpe did have one final drive with a hail mary attempt that came up short with the Panthers holding on. 

Olpe was in search of their third consecutive title but there will be a new champion in 2022 in 1A as the Panthers remain alive and are looking for their first state title since 2019. 

Panthers improve to 11-0 and advance to the Sub-State round and will travel to St. Marys with a berth in the 1A Championship game on the line. The other half of the 1A bracket features Conway Springs and Inman.