Cougars win in the first round of playoffs
By Mary Hefta
It was another chilly night for football in Turtle Lake last Tuesday night, but the Cougars were ready to take on the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Mavericks in nine-man playoff action. Although it was chilly, at least the boys didn’t have to play against the elements. After playing in the slush and snow last week the Cougars were relieved to have their footing back, and it didn’t take long for Central McLean to get the ball rolling. The Cougars scored their first four touchdowns in the first half with the help of a tough offensive line and great running by senior Grant Singer. Singer’s first touchdown was a 16-yard run at the 10:52 mark in the first quarter. Singer would also get the PAT. The Cougar offense set up Singer for a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:03 left in the first. The PAT failed but the Cougars were up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Mavericks scored first in the second quarter on an 8-yard pass play. The PAT was good and the Cougars led 14-8 until Singer racked up big yardage and two more touchdowns to lead 28-8 at halftime. Sophomore quarterback Matt Landenberger zipped 59 yards for the next Cougar touchdown in the third quarter with 1:58 remaining. The PAT run failed but the Cougars increased the lead 34-8. Just a few seconds later senior defensive lineman Ryan Rauhauser would tackle the Maverick quarterback in the M-L-S endzone for a two-point safety.
