This story was written and all photos were taken by Paul Shepard.

The Centerpoint Knights scored 36 unanswered points in the first half of a game against the Cossatot River Eagles in a conference matchup played in chilly, blustery conditions.

The 36-6 victory Friday, Oct. 16, improved Centerpoint’s record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, while Cossatot River, in just its second year of playing high school football, fell to 0-7 overall and 0-4 in conference games.

For the first time this season, Friday night football felt like fall. Although temperatures were only in the mid-50s, strong northerly winds made it feel considerably colder. Fans of both teams huddled under blankets as the players took the field.

The setting was unusual. In the middle of a rural landscape stood the sprawling Cossatot River school complex and football stadium. The visitors’ bleachers were so small that the Centerpoint band set up in a corner of the home team’s stands.

The Eagles won the coin toss and elected to receive, but the Knights executed a perfect onside kick. Centerpoint recovered and began moving toward the Eagles’ goal before fumbling the ball away with 10:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Cossatot River moved the ball toward midfield before turning it over with 5:31 left in the period.

The Knights wasted little time taking advantage. Running back Ely Welch scored on a short run, and quarterback Tony Valdez added the 2-point conversion to give Centerpoint an 8-0 lead with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter.

The Knights’ defense quickly created another scoring opportunity when defensive back Jayden Tyrrell intercepted an Eagles pass and returned it to the Centerpoint 45-yard line.

A long run by Levi Wright moved the ball to the Cossatot River 8-yard line, setting up Welch’s second rushing touchdown of the night. Braxton Martin ran for the 2-point conversion, extending the Knights’ lead to 16-0 late in the opening quarter.

Centerpoint’s defense struck again early in the second quarter. Defensive lineman Zaiden Allen hit the Eagles’ quarterback as he attempted a pass, sending the ball fluttering into the air. Welch intercepted it and — aided by blockers — returned it for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Centerpoint ahead 22-0.

The Eagles then found themselves facing into the teeth of the strong northerly wind. After the Knights’ defense pushed them back toward their own goal line, Cossatot River faced fourth down and what seemed like a mile to go.

The Eagles attempted to punt from their own end zone, but the wind helped limit the kick to their own 15-yard line.

Centerpoint immediately capitalized. Valdez connected with Welch on a 15-yard touchdown pass, then kicked the extra point to give the Knights a 29-0 advantage with about eight minutes remaining in the first half.

Cossatot River managed to move into Centerpoint territory on its next possession but again turned the ball over on downs.

The Knights responded with another scoring drive, capped by an approximately 25-yard touchdown run by Wright. Valdez kicked the extra point, pushing the lead to 36-0 with about three minutes remaining before halftime.

That score held through the end of the half.

Following a halftime performance by the Honorable Knights Marching Band, the teams returned to the field with Arkansas’ mercy rule in effect. Under the rule, a lead of at least 35 points in the second half results in a continuously running game clock.

With the game well in hand, Centerpoint’s coaches turned to their reserve players, giving them valuable experience against the Eagles.

Neither offense found much success during the third quarter, although the Knights lost a fumble near midfield with about five minutes remaining in the period.

Cossatot River eventually put together its only scoring drive of the night against Centerpoint’s reserves, reaching the end zone with approximately nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The extra-point attempt failed, making the score 36-6.

Neither team scored again, and the Knights left with their third conference victory.

Centerpoint returns home Friday, Oct. 23, to face the Harmony Grove Hornets of Camden.

Harmony Grove enters the game with a 2-5 overall record and a 1-3 conference mark after suffering a 66-0 home loss to conference leader Bismarck on Friday.