Matheney, Defense Shine in Hallsville Upset of Centralia

The three-seed Hallsville Indians knocked off the two-seed Centralia Panthers with a 22-8 victory in a Class 2 District 7 semi Friday. Backup quarterback Brayden Matheney completed 14-of-16 passes for an unofficial 141 yards and two scores in the first half to help Hallsville go to the break with a 22-0 lead.

Austin Ward with the call of touchdown passes to Aidan Lampkins and Landyn Sievers on KTCM and centralmoinfo.com. Matheney finished with 176 passing yards while Harrison Fowler ran for 135 yards on 38 carries. Lampkins caught six passes for 106 yards. Coach Justin Conyers said Matheney has been great in the absence of starting quarterback Colton Nichols.

Centralia coach Tyler Forsee said Matheney was tough to defend.

Centralia kept its hopes alive one play into the final quarter.

That was a 51-yard touchdown pass from Cullen Bennett to Jesse Caballero. Forsee was happy with his group’s resiliency.

Coming off a 38-0 shutout of Palmyra, Conyers’ defense held Centralia to 30 yards of offense in the first half.

6-5 Hallsville next opposes undefeated Bowling Green on the road in a rematch of last year’s district title game. Centralia finishes the season 7-3.

Hallsville coach Justin Conyers:

Centralia coach Tyler Forsee: