Centura defense the difference in 18-14 win over Ravenna.

The Centura defense, led by the ferocious play of Jake Hickok, came up with 4 second half stops in the red zone to grab a hard earned 18-14 homecoming win over district rival Ravenna. In a game that was delayed 90 minutes by lightening, it was the swarming Centurions who sparkled at the right time in a second half played on a rain slicked field. Senior 4 year starter Jake Hickok came up with a ton of tackles on defense and was a workhorse on the offensive side of the ball from start to finish. The 175 pound senior gained 92 grueling up-the-gut yards on 23 carries to continuously give his team drive extending 1st downs. It was the perfect example of a good old fashioned backyard neighborhood brawl minus the actual brawls. Both teams left it all on the slick turf and undoubtedly woke up Saturday with bumps and bruises to show for it.

This match-up featured a couple of pretty salty quarterbacks in Centura's Michael Hansen and Ravenna's Blake Chramosta. Hansen, a slick 6-0, 170 pound junior, was hampered all night with a nagging hip injury but the son of Centura coach Greg Hansen played with surprising efficiency. Chramosta, also a junior, was flushed out of the pocket all night but still amassed 204 yards passing on 10 of 26 accuracy. The game was halted after the final play of the 1st quarter with the teams tied at 6. When play resumed and hour and a half later, the conditions had deteriorated to a cold windy night with on and off rain showers. The weather played havoc with the passing game but both quarterbacks came up with huge pass plays when it counted.

Both teams scored on their first possessions of the game. It didn't take long for the Bluejays to open the scoring. Starting on their own 39, Josh McGuigan ripped off a 9 yard gain then Chramosta sailed a 34 yard strike to Dillon Hough, who carried it to the Centura 22. 3 plays later Blake Chramosta waltzed in from the 3 for a touchdown. The point after was blocked. Centura then pieced together a 16 play drive that culminated with Michael Hansen nailing 6-3 sophomore (#14) Travis Holcomb for 15 yard scoring play. The point after for Centura was also blocked. The Centurions ate up 5:06 on the drive. 4 minutes later the lightening bolts brought a 90 minute halt to the festivities.

When play resumed both teams struggled in the second quarter with the after effects of the weather front that has passed through. Neither team scored in that second quarter, but it took only a minute and 37 seconds of the 3rd quarter for Centura to get back on top. On the 3rd play of the half Michael Hansen lofted a pass intended for Travis Holcomb, but a Ravenna defender leaped up and tipped the ball high in the air. In full stride, freshman RB/LB Jose Guzman grabbed the rebound and scooted 60 yards to the Bluejay 1 yard line. Highlight reel time. Hansen then again found Holcomb a second score from a yard out. The 2 point conversion failed and that is when the Centura defense kicked in. The rest of the 3rd quarter remained scoreless and Centura entered the money quarter with a 12-6 lead.

The 4th quarter was a clinic of staunch defense by Centura and a prime example of hard nosed running by Jake Hickok. The Centurions rode the powerful runs of Hickok on a drive that started with 3:19 in the 3rd frame and ended with a 14 yard TD run by Levi Rosenquist a minute a 12 seconds in to the 4th quarter. Rosenquist's TD put Centura up by an 18-6 count, but Ravenna was not about to throw in the towel. It didn't take long for Blake Chramosta to find outstanding WR Tom Sieczkowski on a 60 yard scoring pass. The Centura defender slipped on the play and Sieczkowski had clear sailing after fielding the catch. Chramosta ran in the 2 point conversion to pull the Bluejays to within 18-14, but it was the Centura that rose to the occasion following that score.

Centura stopped one Ravenna drive at their own 26 and then survived a pass interference call on the final Bluejay drive with 17 seconds left to secure the 18-12 win.

As stated earlier, both quarterbacks struggled with their passing but it was mostly due to defensive line pressure and excellent coverage by the defensive backs on both sides of the ball. Although Centura signal caller Hansen was only 9 of 21 passing for 112 yards and 2 scores, you certainly can't say the junior is an inaccurate passer. Hansen led the state in Class C-2 passing yards with 748 yards coming in to the contest. Ravenna QB Chramosta finished the cold, soggy night by completing 10 of 23 passes, good for 204 yards and a TD. Ravenna's Chance Bock started the game well by gaining 27 yards on 5 carries but could only manage 3 more yards on his next 8 carries, a tribute to the Centura "D". Chramosta led the Bluejays in the rushing department with 50 yards on 17 carries.

Centura, who finishes the season with 3 of 4 games on the road, will travel to Hebron to meet 1-3 Thayer Central. Ravenna, who has thre of their last 4 games at home, will return to the friendly confines to face 3-1 Blue Hill next Friday.

......and furthermore: To be honest, Ravenna has to be the best 1-3 team in C-2. Coach Mark Hudson has this team playing quality football year in and year out. Their 3 losses have come to Centura, North Platte St. Pats, and Hastings St. Cecilia. The combined record of those teams is 11-3 so don't count the Bluejays out of the playoff picture by any means.

.........one for the road: Keep your eye on Centura Freshman Jose Guzman. Yes I know, 5-8 and a 135 pounds, but the kid is fast, possesses lightening reflexes and plays far above his weight. Think little guys can't play......see Shelton's 112 pound David Jiminez. You'll be reding about Guzman the next 4 years. And how about the job Centurion head coach Greg Hansen has done since his arrival a few years back. I love the new spread formation.....gives son Michael a chance to showcase his many talents. And Jack Hickok.....all-state type linebacker in my eyes.