Central Private Tames Silliman Wildcats 36-7

The Central Private Rebels celebrated homecoming on Friday night. After 2 straight road games, the Rebels were happy to be back home. With 3 of their 6 wins being by a combined 3 points, the Rebels took the drama out of this one with 36 unanswered points to capture a 36-7 victory over the Silliman Wildcats. Homecoming queen Hannah Claire Prather was able to enjoy her first night of reign and the large crowd was able to say, “good-bye” to 13 seniors.
Enjoying their last regular season game at home were: T.J. Wilkinson, Gage Wilkinson, Chase Metz, Brit Myer, Thomas Bourgeois, Clint Waldrop, Brennan Courville, Justin O’Quinn, Kam Tate, Tyler Schultz, Jesse Lee, Andy Kinchen, Travis Rose, Steven Whiddon, and Jacob Fryoux.
Landon Taylor of the SHS Wildcats started the lone touchdown drive for the Wildcats when he returned a Jacob Young pass to the CP 13-yard line after an interception. Three plays later Nick Ohlinger banged into the endzone from 10-yards away. Cody Donzie added the PAT and midway through the 1st quarter SHS had a 7-0 lead. That was to be the last points scored for the Wildcats on the evening.
The put-em-away gang of Kinchen, Tate, Rose, Whiddon, and Matt Overlease began to exert their force on the next Rebel drive. Running back Bobby Muse scored from the 2-yard line after a 9-play, 57-yard drive. All of the yardage came on the ground behind the front five. The PAT was missed and with 4:09 remaining in the 1st quarter the score was SHS 7 CPS 6.
The CP defense led by Ridge Perkins forced a 3 and out on Silliman’s next drive and CP took over at the SHS 35-yard line. The Rebels finished off this scoring drive with Jacob Fryoux scoring from 3-yards out. He then hit tight end Bourgeois for the 2pt PAT which gave CP a 14-7 lead.
After the Wildcats mounted a drive to the Rebel 8-yard line, Travis Richard threw Tanner Knighton for an 8-yard loss on a third down play. Rose then stopped Jacob Davis short on a 4th down carry. Rose said, “We knew that we had to win this one and we could not let our emotions get to us. It was our last homecoming and we were able to control the line of scrimmage and get the win.”
The Rebel defense came up big again late in the second quarter. Jason Young intercepted a Davis pass deep in Rebel territory to preserve a 14-7 Rebel lead at the half.
The Rebels opened the second half with 9 straight rushes for a total of 58-yards and a touchdown. Muse who finished the game with 218-yards rushing ended the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Fryoux again hit Bourgeois for the 2pt PAT and a 22-7 Rebel lead.
A Perkins sack of quarter back Davis ended another SHS drive inside the Rebel 20-yard line.
Evan Bedet intercepted a Fryoux pass on the ensuing drive. On the next play however, Gage Wilkinson of the Rebels stepped in front of a Davis pass and returned the interception
40-yards for a touchdown. Wilkinson said, ” I just read the quarterback and dropped back into my zone. When I made the pick, I didn’t see anything but the end zone.” Brandt Moore kicked the PAT which brought the score to CP 29 SHS 7.
Fryoux intercepted Davis’ next pass and returned it to the Warrior 21. Fullback Richard who finished the night with 47-yards rushing on 3-carries took it to the 7-yard line. Muse was then able to finish the 3-play drive going into the end zone for 6 points. Fryoux stated, “The defense dominated. We wanted to go out with a bang and we did.” Moore added the PAT for a final score of 36-7.
Coach Mike Longmire said, ” The offensive line did a great job. They controlled the line of scrimmage and gave Bobby (Muse) holes and he just ran through them. We totally dominated the line of scrimmage especially offensively. This victory gives us a chance to play for a district championship at Bowling Green. We have a great group of seniors who gave a super effort every Friday night. Of the 15 seniors 9 have been with us all 4 years. I am really happy for them.
The Rebels travel to Franklinton on Friday to battle Bowling Green for an outright district championship. Come join the fun.