La Center turns early shootout into blowout of Seton

LA CENTER — It started with Davari Grauer sprinting 75 yards for a touchdown on the game’s opening kickoff.

After that, La Center football’s track meet never stopped.

The Wildcats scored touchdowns on all eight of the drives in the first half, turning a first-quarter shootout into a 70-20 blowout of Seton Catholic on Friday.

The first quarter alone, which ended with La Center ahead 35-20, saw the teams combine for 469 yards of offense.

For La Center, Grauer’s kickoff return set the tone for the 1A Trico League win.

“We had great blocking and a great wall all the way down the field,” said La Center’s Levi Giles, who rushed for two touchdowns and caught another. “I think we were expecting to have that kickoff go for a touchdown.”

For a while, Seton Catholic (3-4, 1-2) kept up with the torrid pace. Ryan Stuck got free down the sideline for a 76-yard touchdown pass from Kolten Gesser on the Cougars’ third play.

After La Center (6-1, 2-0) capped a six-play drive with a Giles 1-yard run, Seton responded with a 47-yard Joe Callerame touchdown run on the drive’s second play.

La Center needed just three plays to strike again. Tru Feldman dropped a high pass into the arms of a running Giles for a 42-yard score.

Seton again responded, getting 47-yard catch from Ryan Stuck to set up a 5-yard touchdown by Jacob Williams. The following two-point try pulled the Cougars within 21-20 with 5 minutes, 55 seconds left in the first quarter.

Then La Center broke away.

Feldman threw another perfect lofted pass that Grauer ran under and took 59 yards to the end zone.

Feldman, a sophomore, threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns on just 8 of 10 passing. He also rushed for a touchdown.

“I think we’ve really developed as a team,” Giles said. “All of our receivers are getting more of a connection with Tru. He’s done a great job of getting the ball away and putting it in our hands.”

Parker McKinney’s interception marked the first time either team did not reach the end zone. Two plays later, McKinney caught a 34-yard touchdown pass, breaking two tackles on his run down the left sideline to put La Center ahead 35-20.

For McKinney and La Center’s defense, it was lights out after that first stop.

“We needed to keep our heads up, do our job and execute,” McKinney said. “A drive like that helps.”

La Center scored touchdowns on all three of its second-quarter drives to lead 56-20 at halftime.

The Wildcats extended their touchdown streak to 10 straight drives on their first two possessions of the second half. The only La Center drive that didn’t end with a touchdown was the final one, which saw the Wildcats take a knee to end the game.

LA CENTER 70, SETON CATHOLIC 20

Seton 20 0 0 0—20

La Center 35 21 14 0—70

First quarter

LC — Davari Grauer 75 kickoff return (Ben Rembisz kick)

SC — Ryan Stuck 76 pass from Kolten Gesser (kick failed)

LC — Levi Giles 1 run (Rembisz kick)

SC — Joe Callerame 47 run (kick failed)

LC — Giles 42 pass from Tru Feldman (Rembisz kick)

SC — Jacob Williams 5 run (Ryker Ruelas pass from Gesser)

LC — Grauer 59 pass from Feldman (Rembisz kick)

LC — Parker McKinney 34 pass from Feldman (Rembisz kick)

Second quarter

LC — Jalen Ward 2 run (Rembisz kick)

LC — Giles 6 run (Rembisz kick)

LC — Feldman 1 run (Rembisz kick)

Third quarter

LC — Houston Coyle 56 yards from Feldman (Feldman kick)

LC — Erik Brigham 11 run (Rembisz kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Seton: Jacob Williams 13-33, Joe Callerame 7-73. La Center: Jalen Ward 11-141, Levi Giles 5-43, Tru Feldman 4-30, Isaac Chromey 4-36, Landen Randall 1-15, Logan Seaman 1-9, Erik Brigham 1-13, Will Simmons 1-7, Ben Rembisz 1-17, Malachi Wallway 1-0, Garrett Maunu 1-7, Gaven Emerson 1-16, Francisco Cuervo Sanchez 1-10, Adam White 1-8, Carson Garlington 1-2.

PASSING — Seton: Kolten Gesser 21-38-5-298, Joe Callerame 2-2-0-14. La Center: Tru Feldman 6-10-0-231.

RECEIVING — Seton: Joe Callerame 8-60, Ryan Stuck 4-136, Ryker Ruelas 5-66, Teddy Wieczorek 2-12, Nathan Beaver 1-5, Jacob Williams 3-33. La Center: Levi Giles 1-42, Davari Grauer 2-71, Parker McKinney 1-34, Jalen Ward 1-28, Houston Coyle 1-56.