On Tuesday, October 16, the varsity middle school football team hosted the North Oldham Mustangs in the District championship game. The Mustangs were seeking to avenge their only loss of the season. A 34-0 defeat at the hands of the Centurions on September 4. The Mustangs received the ball first to start the game. Neither team could get much going offensively in the first period. After a very nice punt by the Mustangs, the Centurions were staring at first and 10 from their own 4 yard line mid-way through the second quarter. Christian Babin slipped his way through the line and outran everyone for a 96 yard touchdown run. Jackson Schieber’s extra point was good CAL led 7-0. The ensuing kickoff was returned 60 yards before Cade Sparrow had a touchdown saving tackle. The Mustangs had the ball first and 10 from the CAL 15 yard line. North Oldham turned the ball over on downs thanks to a huge tackle by Michael Lagestee. Christian Babin took the ball 82 yards for another touchdown with .4 seconds to go in the half. Jackson Schieber’s kick split the uprights to extend the lead to 14-0. The final play of the first half was capped off by a bone-crushing hit by Jake Paulson. CAL received the ball first to start the second half. Cade Sparrow and Jake Paulson teamed up to move the ball down the field. Cade Sparrow scampered his way into the end zone with a very nice spin move from 16 yards out. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Jake Paulson. After a nice gain by Cade Sparrow, Jake Paulson ripped off a 30 yard run taking the ball down to the 8 yard line. Jake Paulson subsequently carried a handful of would-be tacklers into the end zone for the touchdown. Christian Babin picked up two more points when he ran the extra point attempt into the end zone. With 3:36 to go in the 3rd quarter, CAL led 28-0. A North Oldham punt was blocked by Jake Paulson and recovered by Ryan Hineman at the 12 yard line. Quarterback Andrew Zaubi found KC Purvis through the air for a Centurion touchdown. The extra point by Jackson Schieber was good. CAL led 35-0. North Oldham prevented the shut out with a touchdown in the final 10 seconds of the game. In the post-game trophy presentation, the Centurions hoisted the first middle school district football championship trophy in school history. Final Score: CAL 35, North Oldham 7.
CENTURIONS DEFEAT REBELS TO ADVANCE IN STATE TOURNAMENT

On Saturday, October 20, CAL hosted the Owen County Rebels at Centurion Field in the second round of the state playoffs. Half-way through the second quarter, the Centurions found themselves in an unfamiliar position trailing 14-0. CAL finally got on the scoreboard in the final 15 seconds of the first half when Quarterback Nick Weaver connected with Jake Paulson for a 27 yard touchdown pass. Jackson Schieber booted the extra point through the uprights. At the half, CAL trailed 14-7. After holding the Rebels to 3 and out on their first possession, CAL took over on their own 14 yard line following the Rebels punt. Jake Paulson softened the defense with a couple of very powerful runs for modest gains. Cade Sparrow ripped off a 55 yard run to set the Centurions up at the Rebels 15 yard line. Jake Paulson bulled his way to the 4 yard line. Cade Sparrow slipped into the end zone for the touchdown. CAL employed a little trickery of their own, when Christian Babin used some shake-and bake to convert the 2 point conversion. With 2:12 remaining in the third period, CAL took the lead 15-14. On their next possession, the Rebels were forced to punt after an 11-yard sack by Jake Paulson. CAL took over near mid-field. CAL methodically moved the ball down the field utilizing the running of Christian Babin, Jake Paulson and Cade Sparrow. Jake Paulson was not going to be denied and willed his way into the end zone from 5 yards out. The extra point by Jackson Schieber was good. CAL led 22-14 mid-way through the fourth quarter. Jackson Schieber blasted an outstanding kickoff and Richard Karr wrapped up the Rebel returner at the 20 yard line. Michael Lagestee sacked the quarterback for a 6 yard loss. Cade Sparrow forced a turnover on downs when he broke up an attempted fourth down pass. CAL took over with 2:40 to go in the game and maintained possession as they pushed the ball down to the 5 yard line as time expired. Final Score: CAL 22, Owen County 14.