The Centreville Bulldogs won an 8-0 slugfest Saturday over Sand Creek for the program’s first regional football championship. Centreville’s defense was stellar yet again, recording a sixth shutout in nine games and holding the Aggies to only 23 yards in the second half.
The game’s lone touchdown came on a fourth and goal run from the one by Mason Lemings early in the fourth quarter. Sam Todd delivered the two-point conversion and the eight points were all the Bulldogs needed to continue their unbeaten season.
Centreville forced a three-and-out to start the game from Portage Central’s McCamley Field, but saw their opening drive end in a turnover on downs near midfield. The second Aggie drive went nearly 12 full minutes but was thwarted by a goal-line interception from Todd. The Bulldogs quickly punted, but the defense stood tall again as Tyler Swanwick picked off William Alexander in the red zone with about 10 seconds remaining in the half.
The time of possession shifted in the second half to the Bulldogs, although their promising six minute opening drive ended in a fumble recovered by Caleb Verlinde. Centreville forced a three-and-out, then put together another six minute drive, this time for points.
The scoring drive started with 4:08 remaining in the third and concluded with 10:28 in the fourth quarter, traveling 69 yards. A big chunk came on a 44 yard toss to Tristan McElroy. For the TD, Lemings got the pitch from his wing spot on fourth and goal and punched in the one-yard score, followed by Todd’s two-pointer.
Sand Creek’s ensuing drive was a turnover on downs, although the Bulldogs fared no better on their next possession. The Aggies got the ball back with 5:36 needing 69 yards to score, but quickly had the clock as an enemy with only one play from scrimmage greater than 10 yards all game. Centreville stopped them for another turnover on downs with 1:39 remaining, then got a first down to axe the SC timeouts and bleed the clock from there.
The Bulldogs improve to 9-0 and with the shutout have still allowed only 29 points all season. Their Division 8 semifinal road trip is set for next Friday against Clarkston Everest Collegiate at 7 p.m. ET from the Brighton Legacy Center.
Sand Creek finishes at 8-2, still an excellent campaign with their first regional appearance since 2007.
Listen back to Saturday’s broadcast here.
Video by Mat Stutzman
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Centreville | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Sand Creek | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring Summary
Fourth Quarter
CE: 1 yard run Mason Lemings, 2PT run Sam Todd (10:31)
Total Yards: Centreville 237, Sand Creek 119
Passing: Centreville 108, Sand Creek 0
Rushing: Centreville 129, Sand Creek 119
Turnovers: Centreville 1, Sand Creek 2
Centreville Passing: Sam Todd 3-5, 108 yards
Sand Creek Passing: William Alexander 0-4, 2 INT
Centreville Rushing: Sam Todd 80, Gunner Bunning 25, Jared Spencer 23, Mason Lemings 1, 1 TD
Sand Creek Rushing: William Alexander 86, John Alexander 19, Jacob Alston 14, Braedon Nichelson 0
Centreville Receiving: Tristan McElroy 2-83, Tyler Swanwick 1-25
Centreville Defense: Sam Todd INT, Tyler Swanwick INT
Sand Creek Defense: Caleb Verlinde FR
Records: Centreville 9-0, Sand Creek 8-2