LA JARA – The top-ranked Centauri High School football team got a tougher than expected game from Ignacio in the South-Central League opener for both teams Saturday at the Falcons’ field.

The Falcons and Bobcats were tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, but Centauri eventually started to pull away as it won 53-13.

“I think we kind of saw the Bayfield score, and we killed Bayfield so we maybe came out not as focused as we should have been,” said Centauri coach Kyle Forster. “But the boys righted the ship and we were able to focus and get a big win.”

The Falcons had the ball first and they drove down the field for a touchdown. Sean Jarvies threw a 21-yard scoring strike to Jace Haslett, and Haslett also converted the extra point and Centauri led 7-0.

The Bobcats did the same thing on their first possession. Zane Pontine tossed a 12-yard touchdown to Gabe Archuleta, and Charley Pargin made the point-after to tie the score at 7-7 with 5:16 left in the first quarter.

Centauri looked to regain the lead as it again drove deep into Ignacio territory. However, the Falcons turned the ball over on downs.

The Bobcats could not move the ball on their next possession and punted.

Centauri did regain the lead early in the second quarter as Jarvies threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Carson Shawcroft. Haslett again kicked in the extra point for a 14-7 lead.

Ignacio attempted to tie the score as it drove all the way to the Falcons’ 17. But the Bobcats turned the ball over on downs.

The Falcons quickly got another touchdown as Jarvies and Shawcroft hooked up for the second time, this time on a 61-yard touchdown pass. Haslett again made the extra point and Centauri led 21-7.

The Bobcats quickly answered as Lincoln DeKay ran 70 yards for a touchdown. The point-after attempt was no good.

The Falcons drove down the field again on their next possession and Parker Buhr capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Haslett again made the extra point and Centauri led 28-13.

After Shawcroft took a short punt and returned it to the Ignacio 24, Buhr scored again two plays later as he ran 22 yards to the end zone. The point-after attempt, however, was unsuccessful and Centauri led 34-13.

Shawcroft got one more touchdown, this time on defense as he intercepted Pontine and returned the pick 45 yards. The extra point attempt was no good and the Falcons led 40-13 at halftime.

Buhr scored again midway through the third quarter on a 1-yard run. The point-after was no good and the score stood at 46-13.

Buhr scored his fourth touchdown right at the end of the third quarter on a 2-yard run. Haslett made the extra point to wrap up the scoring.

The fourth quarter was played with a running clock.

Centauri had 461 yards of total offense with 267 coming on the ground. Buhr led the ground game with 233 yards on 24 carries.

The Falcons had 194 passing yards. Jarvies completed 10 out of 14 passes for 171 yards. Shawcroft had three receptions for 109 yards, Haslett had three catches for 39 yards, Dallyn King had two receptions for 13 yards and Leland Chacon had two catches for 10 yards.

Ignacio had 252 total yards – 119 rushing and 133 passing. DeKay had 113 rushing yards on nine carries. Pontine completed 13 of 26 passes for 119 yards and Archuleta had nine receptions for 102 yards.

Centauri (5-0, 1-0) will travel to Center this coming Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

“One thing we have to do is not take any game for granted,” Forster said. “It’s a good lesson and we learned that today. We have to focus in this week and get ready for another game.”

Centauri 53, Ignacio 13

Ignacio 7 6 0 0 – 13

Centauri 7 33 6 7 – 53

First quarter

C – Haslett 21 pass from Jarvies (Haslett kick), 10:07

I – Archuleta 12 pass from Pontine (Pargin kick), 5:16

Second quarter

C – Shawcroft 28 pass from Jarvies (Haslett kick), 11:33

C – Shawcroft 61 pass from Jarvies (Haslett kick), 7:55

I – DeKay 70 run (kick failed), 7:36

C – Buhr 4 run (Haslett kick), 3:31

C – Buhr 22 run (kick failed), 1:26

C – Shawcroft 45 interception return (kick failed), 0:23

Third quarter

C – Buhr 1 run (pass failed), 7:37

C – Buhr 2 run (Haslett kick), 0:05