In a heart pounding classic game Central Catholic swatted the Saint Anthony Yellow Jackets, 34-14 on Friday night in the final game of season play. The win clinched Central their second straight, undisputed District Championship against a team that has been considered the doormat sitting at 0-3 in District play. The game was somewhat too close for comfort. Although the Buttons had a handle on the game the whole time, they only won by thirteen points against a team that gets more than its fair share in jokes about its level of play.

After practice on Thursday Coach Green said of the Yellowjackets, “The difference between this St. Anthony’s team and the ones in the past is that they have mental toughness”.  It was clear after one quarter of play the Yellowjackets came to play as they allowed the Buttons just three points in the first quarter. Some of the Yellowjacket’s struggles can be attributed to their offensive line not getting to the second level in their blocking, and for wide receivers stopping short in their routes. The key to Central’s offensive success was in large part due to the seemingly unstoppable array of screen passes that fit perfectly against the Yellowjacket’s defensive alignment. Despite their struggles, Central’s halfback duo of Austin Vargas and Caleb Salinas would combine for 168 of the Buttons’ 226 overall rushing yards, which included a 41 yard bolt to the house by Vargas. Jacob Nava threw just his second interception of the season on Friday, but also catapulted 108 yards with two TDs.

The theme of the game from Central’s Defensive Coordinator, Coach Gomez, was “finish what you started”. The Buttons defense prepared all week for an offense that liked to eat up clock by running with a seven man line and a QB option.  The Buttons’ defense would keep a shutout in the first half, however they lucked out on two touchdowns being called back. St. Anthony had their way with the rushing attack as they pounded 205 yards against Central and scored on par with the Buttons in the second half with fourteen points.

The Buttons played a team that doesn’t have very much respect in the District and that’s what warranted a close game. St. Anthony played their hearts out against Central, who can be considered one of their biggest rivals. Regardless of play, the fact of the matter is that Central won the game and despite being 5-5, has won the district for the second year in a row. The emotion of the team is best put by offensive line coach, Coach Walker, who said on Thursday, “We have the opportunity to have not lost a district game in three years, that’s pretty amazing”. The Buttons now enter a bye week and will wait for their playoff opponent in two weeks.