Briefly: Central blocks field goal to preserve win over Festus

Central scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and blocked a field goal with no time remaining to christen its $2.9 million stadium with a 21-20 victory against Festus on Friday.

The Tigers trailed 14-7 after three quarters but pulled even on a 29-yard touchdown reception by Jacob Campbell with 10 minutes, 45 seconds remaining.

The Tigers then took their first lead of the game when linebacker Austin Martin scooped up a mishandled snap deep in Central territory and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 8:58 left.

Festus scored on its following possession but opted to go for the 2-point conversion, which Central stopped with 5:14 remaining.

Trailing 21-20, Festus drove into Central territory in the final minute of play. Central was whistled for running into the kicker as Festus misfired on a potential game-winning 42-yard field goal on the game's final play.

Festus kicker Reid Karscig then lined up from 37-yards out but Campbell blocked the kick to preserve the victory.

Central improved to 2-0.

Festus 7 7 0 6 -- 20

Central 0 7 0 14 -- 21

Team Statistics

First Quarter

F -- Blake Goddard 2 run (Reid Karscig kick), 1:44

Second Quarter

C -- Jacob Campbell 1 run (Calvin Lovig kick), 5:28

F -- Goddard 65 run (Karscig kick), 4:01

Fourth Quarter

C -- Jacob Campbell 29 pass from Christian Cavaness (Lovig kick), 10:45

C -- Austin Martin 80-yard fumble (Lovig kick), 8:58

F -- Goddard 7 run (run fails), 5:14

First downs (Festus-Central) 18 12

Rushes-yards 50-336 34-114

Passing yards 29 109

Passes 3-6-0 7-11-1

Punts 2-37.5 4-35.8

Fumbles-Lost 4-1 2-1

Penalties-Yards 5-43 11-67

Individual Statistics

RUSHING -- Festus, Blaine Eggemeyer 2-5, Alex Graham 18-132, Goddard 26-211, Karscig 1-(-5), Ryan James 1-6, Team 1-(-13); Central, Chris Martin 6-18, Cavaness 12-54, Alex Davis-Carter 3-8, Jacob Campbell 2-(-2), Mark Ray 3-6, Tae Jenkins 5-21, Eric Evans 2-14, Team 1-(-5).

PASSING -- Festus, Goddard 36-6-0-29; Central, Cavaness 7-11-1-109

RECEIVING -- Festus, Karscig 2-25, Eggemeyer 1-4; Central, Jenkins 3-18, Garan Evans 2-28, Campbell 2-63.