Burleson Centennial puts up 70 points in blowout of Dallas Kimball to set up intriguing rematch
A week off didn’t seem to affect Burleson Centennial in the least.
The Spartans scored on their first play from scrimmage Friday night then scored on four of their next five possessions on the way to a 70-12 victory over Dallas Kimball in a Class 5A Region II bi-district playoff game at Burleson ISD Stadium.
Centennial (10-1) collected its first playoff victory since 2016 when the Spartans defeated Mansfield Timberview, 46-29, in a bi-district playoff game on Nov. 11. The Spartans had the week off because each team in District 5-5A had an off-week because there are nine teams in the district.
After forcing a three-and-out on the Knights (8-3) first possession, Centennial went up 7-0 thanks to a 46-yard run by fullback Jeff Kirven.
The Spartans triple-option offense moved the ball at will at times against Kimball. Centennial finished the game with 520 yards rushing on 39 carries. The Spartans averaged 13.3 yards per carry.
The 70 points was the second highest points total in the programs history. Centennial scored 75 points in a 77-75 loss to Mansfield Lake Ridge in 2013.
Play of the game: Leading 14-0 late in the first quarter, Centennial quarterback Kyle Burns hooked up with slotback Chris Mosley for a 62-yard score. Mosely nabbed the ball at Centennial 45 then raced down the sideline for the score.
Offensive player of the game: Kirven had a big night finding the end zone four times. The junior scored on runs of 46, 1, 25 and 67 yards. He carried nine times for 166 yards and averaged 18.4 yards per carry.
Defensive player of the game: Centennial senior defensive lineman Mazen Richards came up with a big sack in the second quarter. Richards pushed an offensive lineman into the backfield then threw off the block and sacked Kimball quarterback Jamel McWilliams for an eight-yard loss.
Unsung hero of the game: Kimball punter Luiz Gonzalez had a nice night. Gonzalez averaged 38.3 on nine attempts.
What’s next? Centennial faces Corsicana (9-2) at Burleson ISD Stadium in an area round playoff game at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Corsicana defeated Lake Dallas Friday, 53-31. Centennial defeated Corsicana to open the season, 28-26.
This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 10:55 PM.