Heading into week one of the high school football regular season, Centralia head coach Larry Glatczak was trying to figure out what he was going to get from Kamble Haverkamp, who was taking over under center for two-year starter Trenton Flentie.

Glatczak got his answer Friday night, as Haverkamp ran for over 170 yards and two touchdowns despite a 26-14 loss to perennial power Rossville.

The Panthers started quick out of the gates forcing a put on Rossville’s opening possession while driving inside the 20 yard line on their season opening drive. But, a botched snap recovered by the Bulldawgs stopped Centralia’s chance of taking an early lead. 

After the turnover Rossville was able to capitalize, as senior quarterback Garrett Carver gave the Bulldawgs their first points of 2018 on a 30-yard touchdown scamper. Trevor Johnson tacked on the point after attempt, and the Dawgs led 7-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter.

The lead for Rossville didn’t last long, though, as the Panthers went on a long scoring drive of their own, capped off by a Kamble Haverkamp 1-yard plunge. Centralia took an 8-7 with the two-point conversion attempt, as Haverkamp found tight end Daegan Steinlage in the back of the end zone to complete the try.

But, Rossville came right back and found the end zone once again, as Carver picked up a couple of long runs before scoring from nine yards out to give the Dawgs a 13-8 heading into halftime.

The Panthers started the third quarter with the football and took back the lead, going on a long drive that took off over half of the third quarter clocked capped off by a Haverkamp 10-yard run. The Panthers went for two and failed, leaving Rossville with just a one-point deficit at 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

But the deficit didn’t last long, as the Dawgs picked up a couple of chunk plays and took back the lead with a 10-yard score from Trevor Johnson.

Rossville never trailed the rest of the way, as the Dawgs put the game away on a 76-yard touchdown from Carver with a little over five minutes remaining.

Carver led the Rossville offense and was the star of the game, as the senior quarterback ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns on the evening.

Centralia was led by Haverkamp on the ground, as he rushed for 172 yards on 25 carries with two touhdowns.

The Panthers (0-1) now hit the road next week for a matchup at Riley County, while Rossville (1-0) will have the “war on 24” next Friday playing host to Silver Lake.