HAYS - Centralia/Wetmore expected to win the Class 2-1A state title Saturday against La Crosse. However, the scoring margin surprised everyone, including the players.
On Saturday, the Panthers redeemed last season’s final second state loss to Meade and completed a historically great season with a dominating 61-0 victory against La Crosse for the 2-1A state crown at Lewis Field Stadium.
“You don’t ever expect that,” Centralia coach Larry Glatczak said. “I could see these kids, they had a goal, they weren’t going to lose. They weren’t going to lose no matter what happened, and they came out and got better and better in the playoffs, and it really showed how impressive this bunch is.”
It marked the biggest margin of victory in Kansas 11-man state game annals. In 2011, Conway Springs defeated Silver Lake, 49-7, in the 3A state title.
“It surprised not only me, but a lot of people around here,” senior quarterback J.T. Rosine said. “It was pretty special.”
Centralia came five points away of the 2-1A scoring record set by Atwood in 1990. Atwood’s mark was the Kansas 11-man mark until Silver Lake tallied 82 in the 3A title Saturday.
Centralia held a 549-108 yardage edge, led 7-0 after the first quarter, 29-0 at halftime and 49-0 after three quarters. The Panthers outscored opponents 472-6 in the first half this year.
The Panthers pulled the starters with 9 minutes, 49 seconds left in the contest to loud applause. Centralia and Meade have alternated the last five 2-1A crowns. La Crosse finished 12-1 after its second state championship game appearance in school annals.
The Leopards lost 20-14 to Centralia in overtime two years ago. Last season, the Panthers also made it back, but lost an 11-point lead to Meade in the final minutes and lost 28-25. Centralia returned nine offensive and 11 defensive starters from the squad and was No. 1 all season.
Four players, including Rosine and Steinlage, started each of the last three years. Centralia outscored opponents 660-67; its closest game was a 16-0 Week 1 victory against St. Marys. The Panthers won by an average margin of 56-7 in the playoffs.
Centralia scored on the first drive on a 13-play, 80-yard possession that ended with an 11-yard TD run by junior fullback Trevor Mars. The Panthers moved the score to 14-0 after a blocked punt from junior Joey Ferron and a 32-yard run from Steinlage. Steinlage finished with 14 carries for 254 yards and four scores and later scored from 60, 57 and 55 yards out.
“We wanted to go out winners,” Steinlage said. “The senior class has put a lot of time and effort in, and it feels pretty good.”
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
