Central football team christens stadium with victory over Festus

A big occasion calls for big plays.

And two Tigers had the appropriate game-changing plays to fit the first game at Central's $2.9 million stadium Friday night.

Both came in the fourth quarter and sent home most of an estimated crowd of about 4,000 with the fond memory of a 21-20 Tigers victory against Festus in the first on-campus game in the 100-year history of Central football.

It was a relief for Central senior linebacker Austin Martin, who had the game's biggest play when he gave Central its first lead in its new stadium when he returned a fumble 80 yards in the fourth quarter.

"All the fans, brand new field, [we were] wanting to put on a show for everybody and wanting to have fun and definitely not wanting to lose our first game on our new field," Martin said.

Central players celebrate with The Jungle after their 21-20 win over Festus on Friday. (Laura Simon)

Central kicker Calvin Lovig booted through what proved to be a game-winning point as the Tigers hung on for dear life to improve to 2-0.

"It was huge," Central coach Nathan Norman said. "I'm so happy for the kids, the community, just everybody. It was phenomenal. What a great opening-stadium victory."

Central, which led 21-14 with 10 minutes, 45 second remaining, had to dodge a potential game-winning 2-point conversion after Festus' final touchdown, then survived two field goal attempts, the latter blocked by junior Jacob Campbell with no time on the clock.

It was an uphill fight all night for Central. Festus (0-2) seemed bent on avenging a 28-16 loss under similar circumstances last season, when it had rolled out its own artificial surface for the first time.

Festus had more first downs and more total yardage than Central and had the host playing catch-up all night behind a 211-yard rushing night by sophomore quarterback Blake Goddard, who scored all three of the visitor's touchdowns.

Central's Austin Martin tackles a Festus player during the first half Friday.

Goddard scored on runs of 2, 65 and 7 yards. The final one came with 5:14 remaining in the game and cut Festus' deficit to 21-20.

Festus attempted a 2-point conversion instead of going for the tie, but three Central defenders met Goddard as he stumbled around the 5-yard line after he took the shotgun snap and ran to the right side.

Festus kicker Reid Karscig was successful on both his previous extra-point attempts, but Festus coach Russ Schmidt said he didn't want to play for a tie on the road.

"If I had to do it all over again, I would do it again," Schmidt said. "That's what I just told my kids. We wanted to come in here and spoil tonight's ceremonies, and we didn't do it."

But Festus did go down kicking.

That came after Festus stopped Central's ensuing possession and took over at its own 38 with 2:41 remaining. Festus needed seven plays to move to the Central 25 with 5 seconds remaining.

Festus was poised to ruin the festive night as Karscig lined up for a 42-yard attempt. The kick was a line drive that fell short and left, and the Tigers and fans started to celebrate -- prematurely.

Central was whistled for running into the kicker, giving Festus a second attempt from five yards closer.

"Whenever that flag got thrown up for running into the kicker, I don't think I could breathe for the rest of the game until it was over," Central senior quarterback Christian Cavaness said. "Usually the kicker doesn't miss the second time. But getting in there the second time and getting the for-sure block was very big for us."

Central blocked the second attempt when Campbell busted through the line and caught the ball coming off Karscig's foot. Campbell also was trying to block the memory of the previous play. He was, after all, the one who had run into the kicker.

"That penalty was on me," Campbell said. "He kicked me in the stomach twice. The first time he got me. I took it, but it didn't hurt that bad. The second time he knocked the wind out of me. That penalty was all my fault and I've got to learn from that."

While his teammates and fans were celebrating the win, Campbell remained on the ground and was attended to by the trainer and staff.

Campbell said he was more than happy to take one for the team, especially considering the alternative and the role he would have played.

"I don't know what I would of did," Campbell said about the possible scenario of the kick sailing through the uprights. "I would of been super disappointed. I just didn't want to see coach's face if he would of got that. So I wanted that win so I could make him proud."

Campbell played a key role before the closing seconds.

He scored Central's first touchdown in the second quarter on a 1-yard run to tie the score 7-7, and he was Central's leading receiver with two catches for 63 yards.

His 29-yard reception on a go-route down the middle evened the score at 14-14 with 10:45 left in the game.

"Every day I just get more confident with all my receivers," said Cavaness, who competed 7 of 11 passes for 109 yards with one interception. "[Campbell] did a good job stepping up today, especially with all the hype around the game."

Campbell's first catch, a 34-yard reception, came on the same go-route, where he again split defenders down the middle to set up Central's first touchdown.

"He's got very deceiving speed," Norman said. "He's fast and can catch the ball well."

Festus, which led 14-7 at halftime, looked to regain the lead on its possession after Campbell's touchdown catch. It moved from its own 28 to the Central 7 in three plays. On second-and-6, Goddard was unable to handle a shotgun snap and retreated to recover it around the 20.

Martin got there first.

He was tracking a Festus receiver in motion but changed his focus when he saw the snap hit Central's new turf.

"I just saw the ball hit the ground and did what I was told -- scoop and run," Martin said. "I thought the quarterback had me when he grabbed my ankle, but I kept my feet chuggin'."

Martin, who only has been playing defense while nursing a twisted ankle, escaped Goddard's grasp and then stayed ahead of a Tigers escort.

"I didn't feel anything," Martin said about his ankle. "All I felt was the breath on my neck from the guy behind me."

"He was hurting," Campbell said. "And when he picked up that ball and I saw him running, I was so excited. I ran all the way down the field and was out of breath and just hugged him. I was too happy. Everybody on the team has heart."

Festus finished with 336 yards rushing and 365 yards on offense. Senior Alex Graham had 132 yards rushing on 18 carries.

Central finished with 114 yards rushing on 34 carries and had 233 yards of offense.

Cavaness led Central with 54 yards rushing on 12 carries.

"It was a very big game for us," Cavaness said. "We didn't do exactly what we wanted to do on both sides of the ball. We missed some tackles. We didn't pick up some blocks. We didn't complete some passes that we should of. But no matter what we did, just getting the win was the biggest thing for us."

Central has an open date on the schedule Friday and resumes play Sept. 16 at rival Jackson.

"I was disappointed early that we did not have a game next week, but it's a blessing," Norman said. "We are banged up so much."

Festus 7 7 0 6 -- 20

Central 0 7 0 14 -- 21

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

F C

First downs 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.