Burleson Centennial scores 17 points in the fourth quarter to take down Abilene
Two fourth-quarter takeaways from Burleson Centennial helped spark the Spartans in their win over Abilene during a gloomy and wet Friday night at Choctaw Stadium.
Quarterback Phillip Hamilton rushed for two touchdowns and Centennial went on to win 24-14 in a Class 5A Division 1 regional semifinal. Centennial (12-1) reaches the fourth round for the first time in program history.
The Spartans will play Aledo (11-2) in the Region 1 final at 2 p.m. next Saturday at the Ford Center in Frisco. The Bearcats beat Midlothian 27-21 on Friday night.
It’s a rematch from district play when Aledo beat Centennial 64-21 on Oct. 14.
Three-star Texas Tech commit Chapman Lewis jarred the ball loose from Abilene quarterback Brayden Henry and Jacob Hernandez recovered for the Spartans at the Eagles 23 early in the fourth quarter.
The turnover came one play from scrimmage following Hamilton’s second rushing touchdown, from 5 yards out, to give the Spartans a 14-7 lead five seconds into the final period.
Centennial couldn’t convert a goal-to-go, but did score points off the turnover when kicker Truitt Bosher nailed a kick from 21 yards to make it 17-7 with 8:24 left.
Later in the quarter, Centennial linebacker Braedon Stephens came in with a blitz and knocked Henry to the ground. The ball came out of Henry’s hands and Stephens scooped and scored from the 10 to extend the lead to 24-7.
The Spartans began the game strong after taking the opening drive for a touchdown.
Hamilton hit Aidan Hicks for 24 yards on the second play and Hamilton capped it off the 10-play 88-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run and 7-0 lead with 7:27 left in the first quarter.
But Centennial’s offense stalled with punt after punt after punt.
The game was tied at 7 after three quarters.
However, the Spartans defense kept Abilene in check, holding the Eagles to punts on their first two drives. That’s until the Eagles scored their first touchdown on their third drive.
Abilene was backed up to a second-and-23 and on the next play, Henry dumped a pass off short to Ryland Bradford who did the rest on his way to a 56-yard touchdown and 7-7 tie with 7:07 left in the second quarter.
Abilene’s second touchdown came on a 15-yard run on third down by Henry with 1:18 left in the game.
The Eagles (6-7) made the third round for the second time in three seasons after squeaking into the playoffs.
The 12 wins from Centennial is not only a program record, but also a Burleson record. It’s the most wins in a single season from either Centennial or Burleson High.
This story was originally published November 25, 2022 at 9:51 PM.
