The Centralia Panthers took on the Riverside Cyclones last night and came away with the Class 1A District 4 title in a strong defensive shootout, 14-7. Centralia is now 5-0 against Riverside all-time. 

Centralia over Riverside 14-7

The Riverside Cyclones started with the football on their opening drive and turned it over on downs after driving down the field against the Panthers. It was just one of six total turnovers on downs on the night for the Cyclones, as after their first drive, they struggled behind the sticks. The Panthers scored on their opening possession with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Quinton Alderfer to Grady Becker. The next drive for Riverside would backfire as they would botch a snap for a punt and set Centralia up at the Cyclone's own twelve-yard line. Centralia would punch it in to make it 14-0 in the second quarter with Degan Ronnebuam from the three-yard line. 

Riverside would have three straight turnovers on downs in the first half and would end the second quarter with an interception into the endzone taken away by Quinton Alderfer, for his first pick of the season. Centralia would run the clock out of the first half and go into the locker room up 14-0, but that's all the Centralia offense would do for the rest of the night. 

The third quarter was a stalemate between both teams as Centralia would fumble the ball back-to-back times, but the Cyclones would not be able to take advantage as the first time they would throw an interception and the second time would be held off from the goal-line on four straight players. 

Riverside managed to make 14-7 with about eleven minutes left to go in the fourth quarter after blocking a punt into the Centralia endzone, with Gavin Schoenfelder making the recovery. for the Cyclones. Riverside would have plenty more chances, but would not be able to prevail and fall short of the Class 1A state-runner-ups of last season. 

Quinton Alderfer finished with 24 carries for 111 yards rushing while adding 36 yards passing and a passing score. He totaled 147 yards of offense with one touchdown and had multiple tackles on defense with a massive interception before the end of the first half. Unofficially, Centralia had 167 yards of offense and held Riverside to just 130 yards of offense. It was a defensive game through and through, but the difference was that Centralia was able to capitalize on mistakes and take advantage of opportunities. 

Summary

Both teams are guaranteed the playoffs, but Centralia locked up the number one spot in the Class 1A District 4 seeding. Centralia finishes the regular season with another District and League title, with a perfect 7-1 finish, and outside of their loss to Mid-Buchanan, they are once again undefeated against Kansas opponents. Riverside drops to 6-2 on the season and 4-1 in the district. Up next is the opening round of playoffs for both teams.