LA JARA – The season came to an end for the fourth-ranked Centauri High School football team as it lost to top-ranked Buena Vista 27-12 in the semifinal round of the Class 1A state playoffs Saturday at the CHS field.

“When you get to this one, it hurts more than ever,” said Centauri coach Kyle Forster. “But Buena Vista’s a great team and I felt like it was not our best game, but well enough to win and it didn’t happen today.”

The Falcons got on the scoreboard right away as Dallyn King took the opening kickoff at the 3-yard line and he ran it back 97 yards for a touchdown. Centauri went for two points but was unsuccessful.

The Demons looked as though they were going to score on their first possession as they drove to the Centauri 34. But they turned the ball over on downs.

Buena Vista got the ball right back as Sean Jarvies’ pass was tipped and intercepted by Abel Flowers. They scored three plays later as Hudson Wingo threw a 17-yard touchdown to a wide-open Knox Reid. Casius Orlet kicked the extra point and the Demons led 7-6.

After the teams exchanged punts, the Falcons regained the lead as Carson Shawcroft ran the sweep and found an open field for a 64-yard touchdown run. Centauri again tried for two points, but again was unsuccessful, but it led 12-7.

The Demons got the lead right back as Wingo threw a 53-yard scoring strike to Caleb Pierce. Orlet again made the point-after and Buena Vista led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Buena Vista extended the lead early in the second quarter as Wingo threw his third touchdown pass, this time a 12-yard strike to Flowers. Orlet’s kick was no good and the Demons led 20-12.

Buena Vista’s next touchdown was set up by an interception by Tucker Montoya. Flowers scored on a 1-yard plunge six plays later and Orlet made the extra point for a 27-12 advantage.

Centauri attempted to score again late in the second quarter as it drove to the Buena Vista 18. However, it turned the ball over on downs as the half expired.

The Demons looked as though they were going to score again early in the third quarter. King intercepted Wingo in the end zone to end the threat.

Buena Vista fumbled the ball away on another potential scoring drive early in the fourth quarter. Centauri attempted another drive as it advanced to the Demons’ 10. But once again, the Falcons turned the ball over on downs.

The Falcons had the ball one last time and drove to the Buena Vista 22, but Centauri ran out of time.

Centauri had 308 yards of total offense. Sean Jarvies completed 13 of 32 passes for 193 yards, with Shawcroft having four receptions for 70 yards, and Marcos Atencio had four catches for 53 yards. Donovan Jarvies had two receptions for 34 yards, and King had two for 31 yards.

The Falcons had 115 yards rushing. Shawcroft was the rushing leader with 65 yards on three carries.

Buena Vista had 386 yards of total offense – 222 rushing and 164 passing. Eli Schuknecht had 185 yards rushing on 26 carries. Wingo completed nine of 16 passes doe 164 yards and his top receivers were Pierce with three receptions for 71 yards, and Reid with three catches for 38 yards.

Centauri finished the season with 10 wins and two losses. The Falcons lose 14 seniors to graduation, but have several players returning in key positions.

“Our seniors were definitely great leaders and we’ll have huge shoes to fills,” Forster said. “The guys coming back are going to have to step up. I think they can fill it up. It hurts now, and we’ll get back to it.”

Buena Vista 27, Centauri 12

Buena Vista 14 13 0 0 – 27

Centauri 12 0 0 0 – 12

First quarter

C – King 97 kickoff return (run failed), 11:47

BV – Reid 17 pass from Wingo (Orlet kick), 6:59

C – Shawcroft 64 run (pass failed), 3:18

BV – Pierce 53 pass from Wingo (Orlet kick), 2:25

Second quarter

BV – Flowers 12 pass from Wingo (kick failed), 9:48

BV – Flowers 1 run (Orlet kick), 1:44

Sanford’s season also ends

The fourth-ranked Sanford High School football team also saw its season come to a conclusion as it was defeated by top-ran ked Akron, 39-16, in the eight-man semifinals Saturday in Akron.

The Rams led 8-0 after the first quarter, 16-8 at halftime, and 32-0 after three quarters.

Statistics for the Mustangs were unavailable.

Sanford had a final record of 10 wins and two losses.