The Centennial Centaurs football team lost its 15th regular season game in a row Friday, but head coach Dino Geremia says it will be how his side responds next week that will determine if this is to be a third straight lost season.
Geremia said there was much to be encouraged about in the Centaurs 33-21 home field loss to the Ballenas Whalers that his charges can build build upon for their game against Sullivan Heights next Friday at Cloverdale Athletic Park.
“The team showed fight and a willingness to dig in and get back out there to make plays,”Geremia said. “It is encouraging to see some of the young players step in and do well.”
Those players included quarterback Kayle Cowley, who threw for 146 yards and made a couple of gutsy runs to gain first downs. Juniors Kayshawn Beswick and Ziad Sabry also stood out on a hot, sunny afternoon.
The heat may have been a factor in a sloppy first half that was bogged down by several penalties by both teams.
The Centaurs also made some mental errors defensively that allowed the visitors to convert a couple some big plays. But Centennial didn’t go quietly as midway through the second quarter, Beswick made a big reception then scampered into the end zone to get his side on the scoreboard.
Geremia said aside from occasional letdowns, he was pleased with his team’s defence, particularly Hussein Sabry, who managed to penetrate the Whalers’ backfield and forced two fumbles.
In the other senior game, Terry Fox Ravens lost to South Delta, 37-0, on Saturday in South Delta.
In junior varsity action last Wednesday, Centennial defeated Ballenas 29-24. Fox opens its JV schedule this Thursday against Kelowna, 2 p.m. at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium.
