Centralia’s home opener escalated quickly but in a positive way for the Panthers.

The Class 2 No. 1 team after Week 1 Centralia defeated Class 3 No. 8 and rival Hallsville 52-21 after leading 16-7 at halftime. The Panthers (2-0) finished with 330 rushing yards and had five kids score touchdowns.

Head coach Tyler Forsee said Hallsville (1-1) has liked to throw the ball in the past and did so again this year. Quarterback Landon Cunningham threw for 243 yards a year ago but threw for 170 yards this time, and all-state receiver Gabe Jenkins had 107 receiving yards last year but only had 31 yards on three catches on Friday.

“We spent a lot of time in pass coverage this week,” Forsee said. “They have so many formations. I don’t know how their kids know it all. We had a tough game plan because of all of the different formations, but our safeties and corners did a very good job.”

Hallsville had a 97-yard passing play that went for a touchdown in the first half. In that same half, Peyton Kempker and Cody Prater came away with interceptions.

Forsee said Centralia usually likes to involve many guys in its offense, but he felt it was more important to do so with the hot temperatures. Charlie Robinson led with 99 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and Oliver Bohlmeyer followed with 97 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Forsee said Hallsville tried to bottle up Ethan Ross, so while he had one touchdown, Louis Suddarth ran for two touchdowns and Cooper Gehring had a touchdown.

“We had a lot of fresh legs,” Forsee said. “Later in the game, that made a difference because it was hot. You’ve got to try to keep as many guys fresh as you can.”

Centralia opens Clarence Cannon Conference play at 7 p.m. Friday against Highland.