Centennial beats Anoka for sixth time in a row

The Centennial defense sought a stronger finish after giving up a combined 25 points in the fourth quarter in its first two games this season.

The result: a near-flawless performance in a 16-0 shutout at Anoka. The defense gave up only 29 yards, registered a safety and fueled the Cougars' first 3-0 season start since 2011.

"We wanted it more than Anoka," senior defensive lineman Mitch Wlaschin said. "That led us to a win and allowing 29 yards."

Eager to avoid a letdown after defeating defending Class 6A state champion Totino-Grace last week, Centennial made enough plays on offense and rode a dominant defense.

Senior quarterback Ryan Koob ran for both Centennial scores in the second quarter.

One play after converting on fourth-and-1, Koob got loose for a 23-yard touchdown. Centennial used an 11-play, 91-yard drive to double its lead just before halftime. Senior running back Sam Bonfe ran 44 yards to get his team to the Anoka 38-yard line. Koob finished the drive with a 1-yard dive on fourth down with 17 seconds on the clock.

"We had 325 yards of offense, and that was all the offensive line," Koob said.

Not content to just prevent points, Wlaschin and senior linebacker Jarod Peterson tackled an Anoka ballcarrier in the end zone for a fourth-quarter safety and a 16-0 lead.

"We had two pretty close calls in the fourth quarter, and we didn't want to let that happen again," Wlaschin said.

Centennial welcomes St. Michael-Albertville next week in a battle of unbeatens.