HS Football: Tenino pulls away from Centralia to stay perfect

9/26/2025

Tenino 44, Centralia 15

(Centralia, WA) The Beavers are off to a fast start improving to 4-0 with a big win over the Centralia Tigers. The final score doesn’gt reflect how much closer this game was with Centralia scoring first and within 20-15 at ther half. The Beavers took advantage of some Tiger breakdowns including a 74-yard fumble recovery and return for 6 near the end of the game.

Parker Minerich put the game on ice for good with the heads up scoop and score. But Tenino actually trailed in this game when the Tigers capped a long opening 1st quarter drive with Malcom Tukes rumbling in from the 13 yard line for the touchdown.

The Beavers had the answer with three straight scoring drives. QB Mason Metcalf dropped back and found Austin Johnson on a 29-yard strike to tie the game at 7-7.

On the next possession Metcalf dropped back while Johnson ran a jet pattern straight down the field and Metcalf delivered it to Johnson in stride and never looked back for the 75 yard catch and run to go up 14-7.

Metcalf then delivered on a 2-yard plunge to extend the lead to 20-7 as the PAT failed.

The Beavers rebounded with a bombs away play themselves when Caden Erickson dropped back and connected with Alex Ahern for a 42 yard touchdown. They scored a 2 point PAT and pulled within 20-15 at the half.

Any hope of re-taking the lead by the Tigers was ended when Metcalf found another Beaver receiver Parker Minerich with a 13 yard touchdown strike plus the 2 point conversion pushed the Tenino lead to 28-15.

Minerich kind of took over the 2nd half as he hauled in a 2nd touchdown pass from Metcalf from the 7 yard line in the 4th quarter, the 2 point conversion was good and Tenino was up 36-15. Minerich then ended the scoring with the scoop and score fumble recovery and return for the final 44-15.

Minerich’s 2nd half impressed our ESN crew and earned our Thorbeckes MVP of the game award. Metcalf was right there in the discussion with Austin Johnson.

Tenino is now 4-0 all in non-league play. The Beavers are on the road for their EVCO 1A league opener at 4-0 Montesano next Friday. Centralia dropped to 1-3 also in non-league play and they open EVCO 2A play at home against Black Hills next Friday.

Click this link to watch the full replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)

Game Stats

Tenino
Passing:
Mason Metcalf – 11 of 13 – 204 yards – 3 Touchdowns
Austin Johnson – 0 of 1 – 0 yards
Rushing:
Michael Lanning: 17 carries for 178 yards
Miguel Espinoza: 7 carries for 43 yards
Mason Metcalf: 3 carries for 29 yards, 1 Touchdown
Josh David: 6 carries for 8 yards
Receiving:
Austin Johnson: 4 catches for 90 yards, 2 Touchdowns
Parker Minerich: 5 catches for 53 yards, 2 Touchdowns
Zadun Sadler: 1 catch for 15 yards

Centralia
Passing:
Caden Erickson – 11 of 19 – 84 yards, 1 Touchdown, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble
Rushing:
Malcolm Tukes – 24 carries for 112 yards, 1 Touchdown
Bill Volavola – 2 carries for 16 yards
Alex Ahern – 1 carry for 11 yards
Receiving:
Alex Ahern – 2 catches for 46 yards, 1 Touchdown
Bill Volacola – 4 catches for 23 yards
Nigel Nguyen – 2 catches for 9 yards
Justice Novak – 1 catch for 5 yards

ESN Postgame Show