It was a heartbreaking way to see their season end. Centerville hosted the Triton Central Tigers on Friday, Oct. 24, in an opening-round game in 2A Sectional No. 38. Late in the game, Centerville was holding a 19-14 lead and intercepted a pass that would have sealed a win. But, offsetting penalties were assessed on both teams on the play, restoring the ball to the Tigers. With 19.6 seconds to play, the Tigers scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversation for a 22-19 victory.
The defense for both teams overpowered the offense for most of the game. Centerville held a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and the teams were deadlocked at 7-7 at halftime.
Centerville’s second rushing touchdown came with three minutes left in the third quarter, but the extra-point kick failed, allowing the Tigers to cling to their 14-13 lead entering the final period.
The Bulldogs missed a field goal with about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers later turned the ball over on downs and the Bulldogs got another chance. Centerville retook the lead at 19-14 with less than two minutes remaining on a pass from Jace Hollendonner to Ethan Vecera, but the two-point conversion attempt failed. The Tiger touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining gave them the lead for good and the comeback win.
Centerville quarterback Jace Hollendonner completed seven of 16 pass attempts for 125 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Ethan Vecera. Hollendonner also rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Vecera rushed for 53 yards for the Bulldogs and led Centerville with 67 receiving yards.
It was the last game in a Centerville football uniform for seniors Julien Armstead, Boston Beatty, Shea Hollendonner, Johnny McGinty, Ace Morgan, Jeremiah Mull, Evan Noe, Ashton Ortega, Eddie Parker, Kaydin Perkins, Maddox Pritchett and Ethan Vecera.
Triton Central will host Northeastern on Friday, Oct. 31, in a sectional semifinal game.
Triton Central (9-1) 0 7 7 8 22
Centerville (7-3) 7 0 6 6 19
A version of this article appeared in the October 29 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.