SOUTH CENTRAL 68, CENTRAL PLAINS 22

COLDWATER — Defending 8-man state football champion Coldwater South Central downed Central Plains 68-22 in a battle of past 8-man state football champions.

The Timberwolves (4-1, 2-0) outscored the Oilers 46-6 after halftime to end the game on the 45-point rule.

South Central quarterback Huck rushed for four touchdowns and threw touchdown passes to Petty and Price. Timberwolf York scored on a 65-yard kickoff return and 68-yard interception return.

BY THE UNOFFICIAL OILERTwo hours south is a long way to travel for a football game. Unfortunately, on Friday night, the Central Plains Oilers discovered that sometimes the road trip is better than the destination.The Oilers traveled south to take on the South Central Timberwolves, hoping to get back on track after last week’s overtime heartbreak. Instead, they ran into a night when the football bounced the wrong way, penalties piled up, and the Timberwolves found plenty of room to run.

Central Plains fell 68-22, and this one was a reminder that football can be a humbling game—even when you pack your best green gear.

The opening quarter offered a little hope. After an Oiler recovery of a South Central fumble, Central Plains worked its way downfield. Keeton Robison punched in the touchdown, and Brodie Crites added the two-point conversion on a designed quarterback run. The Oilers led 8-0.

The defense kept working, too. Richard Hayes delivered a clutch tackle behind the line of scrimmage, and the Oilers stopped the Timberwolves on fourth down to get the ball back.

But South Central answered with a touchdown early in the second quarter, making it 8-6.

The Oilers responded. After a big run by Broc Klima helped move the ball, Crites connected with Broc for a touchdown, and the Oilers added the two-point conversion. Central Plains was back in front, 16-6.

Then the Timberwolves found their rhythm.

South Central scored again, took the lead with a passing touchdown and two-point conversion, and headed into halftime up 22-16.

The third quarter was where the night really got away from the Oilers.

South Central returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, then added another scoring drive. Penalties backed Central Plains deep into its own territory, making it tough to get the offense moving.

The Timberwolves kept taking advantage, stretching their lead to 52-16.

But the Oilers still had some fight left.

Robison broke loose on a huge kickoff-return run for a touchdown, giving Central Plains a much-needed spark. The two-point attempt didn’t convert, but the Oilers had another score on the board.

South Central answered again, and a late Oiler drive ended with an interception returned for a touchdown. By then, the scoreboard had reached 68-22.

It was a tough night, plain and simple.

The Oilers had flashes of the football they know how to play. Robison found the end zone twice, Crites added a touchdown of his own, and the defense made some important stops early. But the big plays and momentum swings went South Central’s way, while penalties and turnovers made climbing back into the game even harder.

Sometimes the road to a bounce-back win has a detour—or, in this case, a two-hour drive in the wrong direction.

The good news? One rough Friday doesn’t get to write the whole season’s story.

The Oilers have things to clean up, lessons to take with them, and another week to get back to work. They’ll regroup, keep battling and look for a better night the next time they take the field.

Because the road doesn’t end here.

And the Oilers aren’t done traveling it.

Central Plains (4-2, 1-2) 8 8 6 0— 22

South Central (4-1, 2-0) 0 22 30 16 — 68

Huck 1, 3, 4, 6 (9, 40); York 65, 68; Lindsay 58

CP—Robison 4 run (run); SC—Huck 1 run (run fails); CP—27 pass from Crites (Robison run); SC—Huck 6 run (7 run); SC—Price 40 pass from Huck (Price pass from Huck); SC—York 65 kickoff return (Petty pass from Huck); SC—Huck 4 run (Price pass from Huck); SC—Huck 3 run (run fails); CP—Robison 44 run (run fails); SC—Lindsay 58 run (Huck run); SC—Petty 9 pass from Huck (Petty pass from 10); SC—York 68 interception return (Huck run)

RUSHING—CP—32-105; Robison 20-105, Klima 5-12; Lamatsch 1-3; Rogers 1-0; Crites 5-(-15); SC—33-311.

PASSING—CP—Crites 12-27-1, 148; SC—Huck 7-8-0, 150,

RECEIVING—CP—Hayes 4-41; Schepmann 1-40; Rogers 4-36; Klima 3-31.