By Mukala Kabongo
NEFJ Correspondent
LAWRENCE — Springfield Central’s offense found its groove Saturday in Lawrence as the Golden Eagles racked up over 400 yards to defeat Central Catholic, 42-20.
Senior running back Ja’Cyion Cox had himself quite the day rushing and receiving the ball. Cox had over 200 yards from scrimmage to go along with four touchdowns for the Golden Eagles.
“The run game was really strong,” said Cox.
After going three and out on their first offensive possession, Springfield Central’s second offensive possession began with a pass interference penalty on Central Catholic that put the ball in scoring territory. Three plays later the senior running back, Cox, punched it in the end zone for the game’s first score.
“I gotta give credit to all the guys up front, they led the way for me,” said Cox.
Coach William Watson echoed the same sentiment about his team’s offensive performance.
“I thought today we were really balanced,” said coach Watson. “The O-line did a great job.”
Central Catholic responded with its own touchdown drive on the ensuing possession with a 10-play drive that resulted in a Caden Chase touchdown run to make it a 8-6 game, but the Golden Eagles had a response.
Cox found the end zone for a second time that made it a 14-6 game but Cox would not be done. After a defensive stop by the Springfield Central defense, quarterback Jareth Staine connected with Cox on a screen pass and what looked to be a short gain turned into a 77-yard play that got the Golden Eagles in the red zone as time was expiring in the first half.
Staine found Dwayne Early Jr on a 5-yard touchdown pass that gave the Golden Eagles the 20-6 lead going into the half. The sophomore put together an impressive performance finishing with 251 yards in the air to go along with one passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
Jefferson Morales gave the Red Raiders a spark to start the second half with a 46-yard touchdown run to cut the lead once again but that would be as close as Central Catholic would get.
“They’re a talented team, they’re a well-coached team, their kids play hard,” said Central Catholic head coach John Sexton.
On Springfield Central’s next drive, Cameron Brosnihan picked off Staine in the end zone and it looked as if momentum was on the side of the Red Raiders but they could not do anything on the ensuing possession.
“They came up with the big plays tonight,” said Sexton.
Staine and the Golden Eagles offense capitalized as they scored 14 unanswered beginning with Staine’s 10-yard touchdown run followed Cox’s touchdown run after breaking off a 48-yard run.
“I thought Cyion Cox did a great job running behind that offensive line,” said Watson
Cox put the nail in the coffin late in the fourth quarter with a massive run where he broke a tackle and ran over a defender on his way to the end zone that put the game away for good.