Centralia was in a similar situation last season.

The Panthers traveled to Clarence Cannon Conference foe South Shelby when the Cardinals were state-ranked and undefeated but lost 48-14. On Friday, Centralia won 28-14 to give Class 2 No. 5 South Shelby its first loss of the season, seeing a career night from Ethan Ross and his 215 yards and three touchdowns on 17 attempts.

Head coach Tyler Forsee said it was a good physical night for the offensive line and defense. The Panthers (5-2) limited an offense that averages more than 40 points per game – as was the case last year – and kept South Shelby (6-1) off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter, leading 16-0 after three quarters.

“It’s a big win, and we went to South to get it,” Forsee said. “Our defense played extremely well. We had several tackles for loss. We were able to get them in third-and-longs, which is huge because you can make them one-dimensional.”

South Shelby finished with 202 yards of total offense, with 62 of those coming through the air. Forsee did say the Cardinals managed a long touchdown pass on a fourth-and-long play to flash their skill on offense.

Regardless, Centralia had seven tackles for loss. Louis Suddarth and Ian Tuggle each had three tackles for loss, and respectively, finished with 10 and nine tackles. Deke Maenner had seven tackles, and Jameson Cooper had the other tackle for loss.

“They have a lot of speed at the running back spot,” Forsee said. “They have a receiver that’s pretty good, and their quarterback can run. Their coach does a good job of getting the ball to the outside. Our guys did a good job containing, and our defensive linemen did a good job getting off blocks and getting in on the tackles.”

Centralia has had to make plenty of personnel changes this season due to injuries, including Ross at the running back spot. Forsee said the sophomore Ross started out being used mostly at receiver but has done well slotting into a role he didn’t expect to play.

“He’s still trying to figure out the position,” Forsee said. “He did a good job tonight of just running tough. We had to switch positions so he had to learn new plays, learn how to be a running back and not a receiver, and how to run the ball tough between the tackles.”

After Centralia’s best win of the season, Forsee said his team has plenty of momentum, which will be needed to host tough Palmyra (3-4). If the Panthers beat Palmyra, they will earn a share of the conference title.

“They’ve got good athletes, a tough little running back and their coach does a good job with the offensive line,” Forsee said. “Our defense will be tested again.”