By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
CENTRALIA -- It appeared as if Rossville might have another playoff comeback in it Friday night when the Bulldawgs clawed within five points of Centralia with 7:15 remaining.
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak (12) and the Bulldawgs had their eight-game winning streak snapped by Centralia in Friday's 22-9 sub-state loss. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Rossville junior Conner Bush (5) brings down a Centralia ball-carrier in Friday's 22-9 Class 1A sub-state loss to the Panthers. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
But No. 3 East seed Centralia was able to answer with a touchdown to put the game out of reach in a 22-9 home Class 1A sub-state win over the Bulldawgs.
The Panthers, who improved to 11-1, advanced to Saturday's 5 p.m. 1A state championship game at Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium to take on No. 1 West seed Conway Springs (12-0) while Rossville ended its season 8-4, with Friday's loss ending the Bulldawgs' eight-game winning streak.
After Centralia scored with 24.8 seconds remaining in the first half and connected on a two-point conversion pass to take a 14-3 advantage, Rossville cut into the Panthers' lead when senior quarterback Tayson Horak connected with junior Jack Donovan for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Rossville's attempt for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Bulldawgs behind 14-9.
Rossville, which had rallied from 17 points down to stun Jackson Heights in the quarterfinals, looked to be in position to launch another come-from-behind win at that point, but Centralia drove for the game-clinching TD with 3:38 remaining and tacked on the two-point conversion to account for the final score.
Rossville accepts the Class 1A sub-state runnerup plaque Friday night at Centralia. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Centralia jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 11:06 left in the first half (two-point conversion failed), but Rossville got a 26-yard field goal from Vincent Daniel with 1:40 remaining in the half to cut its deficit to 6-3.
Centralia bounced right back, however, finding the end zone in the closing seconds of the half to take its 11-point halftime advantage.
Rossville threatened early in the third quarter after a long pass from Horak to Makhi Jackson, but Rossville lost a fumble to give the ball back to Centralia.
The Panthers returned the favor when Horak picked off a pass to put the Bulldawgs back in business, but Rossville turned the ball over on downs and the third quarter ended with the Bulldawgs still trailing by 11 points.
Defending 1A state champion Conway Springs advanced to the title game with a 55-22 win over Valley Heights.
