The Centennial players had a heart-to-heart meeting last month after a 39-7 loss dropped them to 0-3 this season. They've been a different team since. The Cougars shut out Anoka in the annual season-ending Pumpkin Bowl, using stifling defense and forcing four turnovers to win their third consecutive game. Centennial running back Riley Trettel rushed for two scores, and quarterback Kyle Nordby threw touchdown passes to Alex Facon and Keshaun Story. They helped the Cougars (4-4) overcome 110 penalty yards. The defense also helped, allowing Anoka (3-5) into the red zone just once.
Key of the game: Big plays for Centennial's offense. Facon caught a 60-yard touchdown pass on Centennial's first drive. Story slid to make a 28-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. And Trettel rushed for an 81-yard score in the fourth.
Quote: "We came out and we said, 'Boys we got to pick it up.' We beat Coon Rapids 35-0, and from there the rest is history." — Trettel on Centennial's resurgence
One thing to know: Anoka's Ollie Nigh reached 1,000 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, rushing for 138 yards in the game.
NATE GOTLIEB
