St. Paul earns first win vs Centura

The St. Paul Wildcats hit the road for the final time in 2024 as they headed to Centura to take on the Centurions as both teams searched for their first win this season.

The Cats got the quick start they needed as Cody Kuszak scored his 8th touchdown of the season 3:06 into the first quarter for the Cats to jump ahead 7-0 following the Christian Lemburg PAT. The Cats on special teams made their presence known on the ensuing possession blocking the Centura punt after forcing a 3 & Out setting up the Wildcats at the Centura 30 yard line. Gage Sack scored his first of 3 touchdowns on the night as he breaks a 17 yard run to extend the Cat lead at 13. It would stay 13-0 following the missed Point after Touchdown.

The 2nd quarter saw the Cats score quickly in the 2nd frame of play. Only taking 2:08 to get Gage Sack into the endzone for his 2nd touchdown of the night from 16 yards out to make it 20-0 Wildcats. St. Paul was pinned deep at their own 25 on their next offensive possession and with the wind at their backs opened up the playbook for a 75 yard touchdown pass as Sack weaved his way through Centura defenders enroute to the score with 5:09 to play in the half. Neither team would score for the remainder of the half leaving the score 27-0.

Centura won the toss and differed to the 2nd half. On the opening possession of the 2nd half. Hard runs, quick passes, and penalties setup Centura deep in St. Paul territory eating 8:30 off the clock before the Wildcats got the ball back on a turnover on downs at the Wildcat 14 yard line.

St. Paul was searching for their first shutout since September of 2021 but fell short in their quest for the goose egg on the scoreboard as Centura pieced the final scoring drive together late with a 1 yard touchdown with 4:17 to play in the game as the score concluded at 27-8.

Bradyn Hazen tackles his way into Runza MVP of the game honors .

St. Paul(1-7) heads home for the final game of 2024 as they welcome GICC to town for Homecoming.

Below are highlights from the first half as well as comments from Head Coach Cody Wheeler