Centauri defeats Pirates in SPL rivalry game

LA JARA— In a rivalry game that looks to decide the Southern Peaks league Centauri earned a resounding victory defeating Monte Vista 27-2 Friday on Centauri’s homecoming night.
The Falcons got going quickly taking a fumble recovery at the 50 and driving 44 yards before Cornum ducked in from 6 yards out to make it 6-0 with 10 minutes in the first.
After they traded punts Taj Cornum took advantage of a miscommunication to nab a pass and take it 24 yards for his second visit to the end zone in the first quarter. A successful two-point conversion opened up a 14-point lead.
The second quarter saw Monte Vista’s defense step up and silence the Falcons while their offense struggled to sustain drives.
The Pirates got some points on the board when the ball sailed by an unsuspecting Nate Anderson on an errant snap. Anderson subsequently ushered the ball out the back of the end zone ensuring it didn’t find its way into Pirate hands registering a safety. Monte Vista would not complete the nine-point play with their free kick. And Centauri would go into the half with a 12-point lead.
 Centauri kept things going when Sam Anderson took the second half kick off over 80 yards to the house with the extra point making the score 21-2. When Armando Garcia covered the Falcon’s second fumble recovery Centauri drove 46 yards when Centauri was stalled by another errant snap and an incomplete pass before getting to the nine on a little run.
Coach Kyle Forster decided to dial up a little misdirection. The ball went to Brandon Buhr on a toss, Buhr then squared up and found Sam Anderson in the corner of the end zone to make it 27-2.
Late in the fourth Monte Vista would find themselves with a similar opportunity to use a trick play to try to end their drive. Unfortunately for them when the pass was in the air it wasn’t Zach Hindis on the receiving end it was Buhr. The Falcons would take that possession and put the game to bed and earning their first league win of the season.
Monte Vista will continue their road trip against John Mall Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. They’ll stay on the road until their very fitting Homecoming game against Dolores Oct. 27. Centauri is through the meat of their schedule going into three straight league games against opponents who are a combined 5-12, the first of which is Ignacio Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.