Center Virtually Assures a Playoff Berth with 28-6 Win at Huntington

HUNTINGTON -- Center built a four-score lead through three quarters and overcame a minus-2 turnover deficit to beat Huntington 28-6 on Friday night.

The victory very likely clinched a playoff berth for Center, which improved to 2-7 overall and 2-1 in District 20-3A. Center has a bye next week before concluding the regular season Nov. 8 at Jasper (4-3, 1-1), which lost 41-26 at home to No. 7 Carthage (8-1, 3-0) on Friday.

The loss dropped Huntington to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in 20-3A. Huntington has lost six consecutive games, including the last five by at least 21 points. Nevertheless, the Red Devils, who host Jasper next week, could clinch a playoff spot with a win at Diboll on Nov. 8. Diboll, which visits district champion Carthage this coming Friday, will likely be 0-9 overall and 0-3 in district -- also likely for Huntington -- entering the game, making the contest for a playoff spot.

Center quarterback Caiden Rainbolt completed 10 of 13 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown, a 23-yard first-quarter strike to Josh Burns, who caught four passes for 47 yards.

Center's Dacorey McGee and JeMarcuss Jones ran for second-quarter touchdowns of 2 and 10 yards, respectively. Jones led Center with 71 yards on seven carries, while McGee ran nine times for 58 yards. Octavius Evans caught four passes for a game-high 66 yards as Center outgained Huntington 331-249.

All of Huntington's yardage came on the ground, where three players gained at least 55 yards. Josh Foraker led Huntington () with 85 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown with about two minutes left, on 13 carries, while JaMichael Brown ran 80 yards on 15 carries. Jeremiah Robertson had 15 carries for 55 yards.