In the final minute of regulation in Elma, Centralia needed someone to make a play. The Tigers and Eagles were tied, but the Tigers had a chance at a score that would likely seal the game.
In that final minute, a pass from Caden Erickson found Jeremy Frady, who scored what would stand as the game-winning touchdown in Centralia’s 34-28 victory.
It was the third time that Erickson and Frady had connected for six through the air on the day.
The Tigers led 21-7 at the break, but Elma scored the next two touchdowns to tie the game at 21.
Centralia retook the lead with about eight minutes left on a touchdown run, but Elma again equalized with about four minutes remaining in regulation before the final Centralia score.
Erickson finished with 185 passing yards, 91 of which went to Frady, while Bill Volavola ran for 104 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. Andres Coronel added 62 yards and a score of his own on 15 rushes out of the backfield.
“Just so proud of our guys for finding a way to win even when we didn’t play our best football,” Centralia coach Tyler Gedney said.
Centralia (5-2, 1-2 1A Evergreen) will hit the road again next Friday, Oct. 23, to face Rochester.
