The first half on Friday night ended in a tight low-scoring affair for Centralia, but the second half was much different.

The Panthers lost 37-20 in a Class 2 District 3 semifinal game at Father Tolton to end their season at 7-4. Centralia trailed 9-8 at halftime before the scoreboard was lit up in the second half.

Head coach Tyler Forsee said Centralia was able to run for 245 yards but had its difficulties on defense. Father Tolton (9-2) outgained the Panthers on the ground with 339 yards to add to 487 yards of total offense.

“Things spiraled out of control,” Forsee said. “We would come up with a big play, and they would turn around and score on a very short drive in three plays or so. We could never get momentum back.”

Forsee said the tackling wasn’t as good as it needed to be as missed tackles led to some touchdowns for Tolton and made it hard for the Panthers’ defense to get off the field. He said he thought that would be Centralia's strength on defense after previous weeks of his team racking up tackles for loss, but it was an off game.

Charlie Robinson led Centralia with 122 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, being ultra tough while breaking a lot of tackles in a good night for the team’s counter game. Peyson Bryson followed with 71 yards on 20 carries.

Even with those positives, Forsee said Centralia couldn’t stay ahead of the sticks on offense. It didn’t matter if it didn’t end in a turnover.

“We had a fumbled snap and we had a few bobbled snaps that necessarily they recovered but ones that sent us back,” Forsee said. “After we get a first down, a 2nd-and-17 is not ideal. We weren’t firing on all cylinders tonight.”

The Panthers have lost multiple members of their backfield this season but gained one piece back for ultimately the final game of the season. Rex Bryson sustained a high ankle sprain against Monroe City in Week 4 but was back on the field for Centralia. He ran for 21 yards and a touchdown and completed a 20-yard pass to Logan Rosenfelder as he was becoming accustomed to playing again.

“He’s a super tough kid and was glad to get him back just to get out there on the field,” Forsee said. “He’s our leader. Anytime you get guys like that, it’s a big boost to your team.”

But Bryson was just one of many names that either ended the season injured or spent some time out. Over the year, Forsee said he had one week where Centralia had no injuries and then Ethan Ross hurt his ankle after two 200-yard rushing games. Considering all of that, Centralia finishing its third straight season with at least seven wins is a reason to be proud even though he hates seeing “the look in the kids’ eyes” after the season-ending loss.

“I’ve never had a season that was quite so injury-riddled,” Forsee said. “I was pleased with how our kids overcame adversity and rallied around each other. I’m proud of my guys. I just wish it wasn’t over. That’s the part that will stick with you.”