The La Center Wildcats faced a familiar foe for week one on Friday, Sept. 5.
Last season, the Wildcats saw their season come to an end in the state quarterfinal round with a loss to Montesano High School. This season, the Wildcats’ home opener against Montesano was all La Center until it wasn’t, which was in the ever important fourth quarter.
The Montesano Bulldogs mounted a three-score comeback to take week one 20-19 over La Center High School. Despite the loss, La Center’s head coach John Lambert was pleased with his team’s fight, which lasted until the very end.
After giving up the lead, the Wildcats regained the ball, but found themselves at fourth and long in their own territory and their starting quarterback, Nate Rembisz, having to be sidelined for a play after taking a hit. Backup quarterback Jett Johnson stepped in. Johnson delivered a deep ball to Jarrett Scott to continue the drive.
Ultimately, a 52-yard field goal attempt by Rembisz was blocked as time expired, but Lambert said he was comfortable with the lengthy field goal attempt.
Two injuries early hurt the Wildcats starting lineup, but Lambert was proud of his whole team, which stepped up to fight until the end.
“It was not the result we wanted at the end, you know,” Lambert said. “You have to be cleaner, but it’s a first week non-league game. We had 12, 13 guys getting first time significant varsity playing time, and so I was really impressed, and that team over there had a ton of returning starters. So, I’m really happy with the effort the kids gave. They laid it all out on the field.”
Despite the result, Lambert added that it is a great way to start the season and that sometimes a loss can force a team to focus up on certain aspects, like hydration to avoid cramping on the field.
La Center scored two touchdowns in the second quarter with Brady Brandenburg scoring on a run and Landon Randall catching a pass from Rembisz. In the fourth quarter to regain a 12-point lead, Brandenburg struck again. But Montesano scored two unanswered touchdowns and was successful on their first extra point to win by one point.
The Woodland Beavers are up next for the La Center Wildcats, which Lambert said is going to be a tough matchup at home on Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.
