Non-league football: La Center 35, Woodland 6

Sophomore running back Bryten Schmitz rushed for three touchdowns and helped lead a balanced La Center ground game as the Wildcats scored the game’s first 28 points en route to a non-league win over the host Woodland Beavers on Friday.

La Center (2-0) rushed for 224 yards on the ground and was led by the three-pronged attack of Schmitz (68 rushing yards), Andrew Kysar (66 yards) and Tom Lambert (65 yards). Lambert also passed for a touchdown, hooking up with wide receiver Andrew Scott on a 43-yard strike.

The Wildcats scored 21 of their 35 points in the second quarter, including two touchdowns in a 27-second span.

La Center faces a big test next week as it plays host to the ninth-ranked Hoquiam Grizzlies from the 1A Evergreen League.

Woodland’s only touchdown came on a seven-yard run by JJ Fuerst in the fourth quarter. Cisco Yager also had an interception for the Beavers (0-2), who open 2A Greater St. Helens league play next week with a home contest against Washougal (1-1).

LA CENTER 35, WOODLAND 6

La Center 7 21 0 7–35

Woodland 0 0 0 6– 6

First quarter

LC — Bryten Schmitz 2 run (Sean Fox kick)

Second quarter

LC — Schmitz 27 run (Fox kick)

LC — Schmitz 8 run (Fox kick)

LC — Andrew Kysar 31 run (Fox kick)

Fourth quarter

W — JJ Fuerst 7 run (run failed)

LC — Andrew Scott 43 pass from Tom Lambert (Fox kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — La Center: Schmitz 8-68, Kysar 9-66, Lambert 18-65, Nic Budke 1-8, Ben Rembisz 1-2, Austin Kirk 1-1, Matthew Petit 1-(minus 2), Irving Alvarez 1-(minus 6). Woodland: JJ Fuerst 7-22, Brooks Massey 6-10, Daymon Gressett 2-5, Isaiah Flanagan 12-4, Hunter Smith 2-(minus 1), Team 1-(minus 4).

PASSING — La Center: Lambert 12-25-132-1. Woodland: Flanagan 10-27-114.

RECEIVING — La Center: Andrew Scott 3-58, Alvarez 2-50, Makai Rivers 1-8, Micah Adams 1-6, Schmitz 1-5, Coby Namanny 1-4, Kysar 3-(minus 1). Woodland: Smith 3-38, Cisco Yager 2-28, Massey 1-26, Isaac Hall 3-18, Fuerst 1-4.