Centralia got a win on opening night in a convincing 34-14 fashion on the road against Valley Heights.

The Panthers capitalized on a Mustangs fumble to start the scoring with a 23-yard pitch and catch from senior quarterback Trenton Talley to junior wide receiver Maveryk Becker to go up 6-0 early. After getting another stop, Centralia would score again with Talley getting a six yard touchdown run to make it 13-0.

Valley Heights then tried to make it interesting with a score of their own from their quarterback Mack Shanks that would make it 13-8. However, the Panthers marched right back down the field with their senior running back Drew Gibbs capping off a 69-yard drive with a 36-yard touchdown run before the half to make it 20-8.

Both offenses stagnated a bit out of the break, but Centralia broke the stalemate with another touchdown run from Gibbs making it 27-8. Talley found the endzone yet again with his legs on a nine yard touchdown to put the game away early in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs would get one final score with 2:04 remaining with a 50-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Jayden Dewalt, but it was too little too late.

Centralia starts a three-game home stand starting next week with Christ Prep Academy. Valley Heights goes on the road fod the first time in 2022 to play district opponent Onaga. That game can be heard on 92.1 KMZA for the Game of the Week.