The losing streak is over.
Two years after the Centralia football team last beat Hoquiam, they topped the Grizzlies again, snapping an 18-game losing streak with a 13-7 win on Friday.
“It’s been a long time for us,” Centralia coach Jon Rooklidge said. “Our kids have really battled and done everything they’ve asked us to do … this is for them. All kudos to them and their work ethic.”
The Tigers (1-7, 0-5 2A EvCo) had almost all of their success on the ground, and it was Kellen Rooklidge leading the way. On 31 carries, he ran for 147 yards and the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
The Tigers defense, which had limited the Grizzly offense, needed one final stop to get the ball back, and Dustin Ingles came down with an interception with four minutes left.
Centralia then executed a flawless four-minute drill, kneeling the final seconds off the clock inside the five-yard line.
Rooklidge was thrilled for his team, noting that they have been improving throughout the course of the season, even though it wasn’t reflected in the win column.
“It’s just a good program win,” Rooklidge said. “They haven’t quit. They kept going.”
The Tigers will wrap up their regular season next Friday, as they’ll head to W.F. West for the Swamp Cup.
