The Century football team concluded its regular season with a significant 28-20 victory over Winona on March 15, 2024. This win marks a turnaround for a group that finished last season without a single victory, highlighting their determination and resilience throughout the year.
H2: Century’s Strong Performance
The victory at Paul Giel Field did not come easily. Century faced a determined Winona team that had bested them in their previous three encounters during the regular season’s final game. However, this year, Century managed to fend off a late comeback from the Winhawks, successfully closing out the match with solid performances from key players.
Head coach Jon Vik expressed immense pride in his team’s effort. “I’m really proud of these kids for the fact that they have stuck it out,” he said. “These are essentially the same crew that went through the hardship last year of not having a win. This year to have beaten Owatonna number one, which is, of course, a huge win for us… but none of these kids are satisfied with just having two wins.”
With junior quarterback Nate Long sidelined due to a concussion, others on the roster stepped up. Senior Miles Tesch was one of the standout players, rushing for 67 yards and scoring a touchdown on a remarkable 60-yard run. This explosive play occurred on Century’s first drive, setting the tone early in the match.
H2: Game Highlights and Key Moments
Winona started the scoring with a fumble recovery that put them in a prime position at the Panthers’ 19-yard line. Brady Lundgren capitalized on this opportunity with a rushing touchdown, quickly putting the Winhawks in the lead at 6-0. Century responded with a touchdown of their own, as Max Elliott found the end zone from three yards out, followed by a successful two-point conversion to take a 14-6 lead.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, with Winona’s Brady Wardwell scoring on a 17-yard run to even the score at 14-14. As the first half wound down, Cade Goergen connected with Tesch for a touchdown, allowing Century to regain the lead at 21-14 just before halftime.
In the second half, Century’s defense made crucial plays, including interceptions by Tesch and senior receiver Owin Gerber. Winona managed to score again with a 28-yard touchdown reception from Ethan Pruka, narrowing the gap to 21-20 after a blocked extra point attempt.
With just over seven minutes remaining, Elliott added another touchdown for Century, bringing the score to 28-20 and providing a comfortable buffer as the game neared its conclusion. Winona’s final drive ended in disappointment as they turned the ball over on downs with only 22 seconds left on the clock, sealing Century’s victory.
The Panthers finished the regular season with a record of 2-6 and now prepare for their upcoming playoff match against Owatonna on March 21, 2024. Coach Vik emphasized that while the team has made significant progress, they are eager for more success in the postseason. “They play hard, they’ve got great character, but it’s clear that they want to achieve even more,” he stated.
Century’s performance against Winona underscores their growth and determination, setting the stage for what they hope will be a successful playoff run.
