Centralia finally put everything together, taking down Hoquiam, 29-14, on the road to secure its first win of the season and end a 10-game losing streak dating back to last season.
“It’s nice to get a frickin’ win,” Centralia coach Jeremy Thibault said.
Notched at a 6-6 tie at the half, Centralia broke loose when the Tigers deployed a safety blitz and senior Chase Sobolesky picked up a fumble and took it to the house to put the Tigers up for good.
The Tigers used a vicious run game to keep the Grizzlies honest, racking up 262 total yards, led by Sobolesky’s 111 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Anthony Saucedo added five carries for 67 yards and Gabe Seymour rushed six times for 42 yards.
Despite the win, Thibault said there were some areas on both sides of the ball the Tigers still need to shore up if they want to keep winning. One offensive drive inside the 20 stalled after two false starts and the Tigers were unable to capitalize in the red zone with points. Centralia finished with nine penalties to Hoquiam’s three.
“I told the guys after that we still tried to give it to (Hoquiam),” Thibault said. “If we can put together a full football game, we can be amazing.
“But everywhere, from top to bottom, we played well. Both sides of the ball. Especially impressed with our linebackers. They made some plays. Ariel Velazquez at middle linebacker was flying around.”
Quarterback Landon Jenkins was 4 for 8 passing for 29 yards and a touchdown to Saucedo, his only catch of the night.
Centralia (1-6, 1-4 league) next travels to Chehalis to take on rival W.F. West in the 114th edition of the Swamp Cup.
