Ty Sims faced three options on Friday night at Centralia. Fortunately for the Bulldogs’ quarterback, any one he picked worked out nicely.

Mexico’s backfield trio of Michael White, Andrew Runge and Anthony Shivers ran over and through the Panthers’ defense to help notch a 46-20 road win to open the 2021 season. They racked up 190 yards, led by White’s 95, and five scores.

And to a man they agreed on the reason for their successful evening.

“The offensive line,” Runge said. “They are little but feisty.”

Runge also credited White for his work blasting holes in the Centralia line. White meanwhile praised Shivers for taking on outside linebackers and defensive backs to clear the way for impressive gains.

It was a kickout block by Shivers that paved the way for the opening score. White broke loose for a 15 yards touchdown run behind Shivers’ lead to cap an 8 play, 62 yard first quarter drive. Runge’s extra point gave the Bulldogs an early 7-0 advantage.

Behind stops by Kendyr Taylor and Kanye Nunnelly, the Mexico defense force a three and out on Centralia’s first possession. The Panthers started their next drive from their own 31 after a good return by Eli Carter.

Centralia’s dangerous quarterback Beau Gordon looked like he would get his offense rolling, completing a strike to Jesse Shannon. But a false start set them back. And when he dropped back on the next snap, all he saw was Mexico’s Connor Johnson bearing down.

“No one blocked me off the edge,” Johnson explained. “Coach made the right call.”

Johnson’s hit popped the ball loose. Taylor pounced on it and the Bulldogs took over on Centralia’s 23 yard line. Five plays later, Runge plunged into the end zone and Mexico was on top 14-0.

The Panthers looked to respond and Gordon led them to midfield on runs by Kyden Wilkerson and a Jack Romine reception. But once again Mexico’s defense stepped in, Jaden Hatfield and Owen Paden combined to sack Gordon and end the threat.

White’s long punt return set up another Runge touchdown. With 9:32 before the half, the Bulldogs were up 20-0.

But the contest was not lopsided. “They were coming after us,” observed Mexico head coach Steve Haag.

Centralia’s Gordon called his own number twice then handed the running chores to Wilkerson and with 7:48 remaining in the second quarter the Panthers found themselves in Mexico territory for the first time. A 12 yard toss to Mason Barr and a run by Brayden Shelton put the hosts within striking distance.

After an incomplete pass, Gordon decided again to take things into his own hands, racing up the middle through a big hole for Centralia’s first score. The two point conversion was good and the score stood at 20-8 in Mexico’s favor.

Alerted by White’s big put return, the Panthers Chase Rawlings booted the ball in Shivers’ direction. The Bulldogs’ back took it on the bounce, turned and sprinted to his left before outracing everyone for an 80 yard touchdown return.

“It was good blocking and just seeing the holes,” said the speedy Shivers.

The quick response gave Mexico a cushion that proved valuable. Gordon led the Panthers on a 68 yard scoring drive that took only four plays, the decisive one being a 50 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Shannon.

It was 27-14 and in the waning moments of the half, Centralia was poised to further close the gap. But White jumped Gordon’s pass over the middle and almost made it a pick six. The Panthers’ Seth Hasekamp made a TD-saving tackle.

“Coach Grubb put me in the right spot,” White pointed out. “I saw it coming.”

Haag said the difference in the game was halftime. Centralia had found some momentum in the second quarter. But the third quarter belonged to the Bulldogs.

After both sides went three and out, the Bulldogs took possession and worked the clock. White scored untouched from 17 yards out to reward a four minute drive to make it 33-14.

Gordon took a break and Centralia sophomore Cullen Bennett saw his first action behind center. But Hatfield, Taylor and Deacon Haag gave him nothing to work with.

“We had fun in the second half,” Runge said.

In the fourth, Runge chalked up his third touchdown. And Hatfield added another to give Mexico a decisive 46-14 lead.

But there was no quit in Centralia. With just 47 seconds on the clock, Bennett broke free for a long scoring run.

Still, the Bulldogs agreed it had been a solid performance on both sides of the ball against a tough opponent.

“You take three plays away and we played a great defensive game,” Haag observed.

For Mexico, Sims gained 52 yards on the ground. William Dobyns carried for 9 yards and Tre Gardner for 4.

Despite the loss, Centralia’s Gordon had an impressive night in the air and on the ground. He was 12 of 18 for 124 yards passing, with a TD. He added 40 rushing yards. Bennett led the Panthers with 47 yards on the ground. Breyden Whisler tacked on 35.

Shannon and Noah Brooks were Centralia’s leading receivers, with 53 and 24 yards, respectively.