The Centerville football team gained statewide attention on Friday, Sept. 6, when they defeated 2A third-ranked Eastern Hancock 29-26 on the Royals’ home field before a large crowd. It was the second year in a row that the winner between the two rivals was not determined until late in the game, and Centerville won both games.
The Royals appeared poised to win when they took their only lead of the game at 26-21 on a 48-yard pass play with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Less than 30 seconds later, Bulldog freshman quarterback Jace Hollendonner connected with Owen Boyd on an electrifying 70-yard touchdown pass to restore the lead to Centerville at 27-26. Coleson Campbell added a 2-point conversion to push the lead to 29-26 and the ‘Dawgs hung on for the win.
The Royals could not contain Boyd. The speedy senior scored three touchdowns and threw a 23-yard pass to Hollendonner for another touchdown.
The Bulldog defense slowed the normally potent Royal rushing game to a crawl, holding them to less than 70 yards as a team.
The Bulldogs return to Tri-Eastern Conference play on Friday, Sept. 13, when they host Winchester.
Centerville (3-0) 7 14 0 8 29
Eastern Hancock (2-1) 6 6 8 6 26
A version of this article appeared in the September 11 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.