The Buttons fell short in an overtime nail biter, Friday, as the Harlandale Indians won by a score of 46-45. There are a lot of ways to characterize this game for the Buttons but the word “loss” isn’t one of them. As the clock ticked down the game got more intense with a 50 yard rushing touchdown by Senior running back Caleb Salinas, giving Central a 35-31 lead. Harlandale would come back with their own score putting things at 38-35, followed by a last minute thirty five yard field goal nailed by Sophomore Franco Querido, sending the game into overtime. Central would come out blazing in overtime, scoring a touchdown, only to be answered by Harlandale who would not only score a touchdown but complete a two point conversion to win the game 46-45.

The Buttons offense exploded onto the field ,Friday, and silenced the jam packed Harlandale crowd. All week the Buttons were practicing new screens to adjust to the Indians loaded box, those plays were on full display as the Buttons darted onto 183 yards passing. A common denominator for all three of Central’s games has been a strong rushing attack, this game was no different as the Buttons crunched 193 yards on the ground. Overall, the Buttons pounded 376 yards of offense against a high touted 5A defense which had allowed just 19 points a game, the Buttons scored 45.

The Buttons defense was coming off a week in which they were the pivotal backbone of the team and provided the safety net for the week two win against McCullum. While there are numbers like 210 yards passing allowed and 184 yards allowed rushing, the Buttons also provided four turnovers in the game. The Buttons snagged three interceptions and forced their way to a fumble recovery. Yes, they allowed forty six points but all they really needed was one stop in overtime. The Buttons defense is always getting better and this is just another step in the right direction.

The Buttons gave a 5A monster team that’s been a perennial playoff team since the 50’s a run for their money at Harlandale’s own house. The true strength of a team is revealed after adversity, the Buttons came right back to Saturday practice and hit the ground running for their next competitor. The Buttons can rein true the a Mark Twain saying: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog” a warning to the Devine Warhorses not to rattle these dog’s cage.