One early lapse galvanizes La Center en route to a 58-6 win over Elma and 1A state playoff berth

KALAMA — A hard-fought loss one week ago prompted the La Center football team to focus on cleaning up the little things.

So when the Wildcats suffered a rare defensive lapse in Friday’s Week 10 state preliminary round game against Elma, they were determined not to give up another.

After Elma’s Traden Carter caught a 41-yard touchdown from Isaac McGaffey on a blown coverage, La Center rattled off 35 unanswered points during a decisive second quarter that sent the Wildcats to an eventual 58-6 win and a Class 1A state playoff berth at Chinook Stadium.

“After that score, it definitely a fire under all of our butts,” La Center senior Wyatt Eiesland said. “It defintely determined us to not let them get another yard. We wanted to stop them. We wanted to punch them in the mouth. We wanted to dominate the entire game. After that, I definitely think we achieved that.”

The surge started on the first play of the second quarter when Eiesland threw a screen pass on 4th and 13 to senior Isaac Chromey for a 25-yard touchdown.

Then, La Center’s defense flexed its muscles. Elma (4-6) appeared to have a first-down completion on its next drive until Chromey ripped the ball away from a receiver and returned it for a 41-yard touchdown.

Gaven Emerson followed with a sack and forced fumble, which led to a 12-yard scoop-and-score touchdown from Eiesland.

La Center closed the half with touchdown runs from Kaden Emerson and Chromey to take a commanding 48-6 lead to the locker room.

“We were just flying around, making plays, just having fun,” said Chromey, who finished with 139 all-purpose yards and five total touchdowns.

The win was step one of what the Wildcats hope will be a deep run in the 1A state playoffs, a 12-team bracket wherein the top four seeds receive a bye week and advance to the quarterfinals.

The Wildcats (9-1) are optimistic about claiming one of those spots, and they have a strong case even after their lone blemish last week, a 29-21 loss to Trico League foe Seton Catholic.

The loss proved to be a learning moment that led to a productive week of practice, according to La Center players and coaches.

“We weren’t as down as we thought we’d be,” Chromey said. “We knew it was a big game, but we’ll see ‘em again.”

Wherever the Wildcats are seeded when state playoff brackets are released Sunday, they know each opponent that awaits them will offer a tougher test. They appear ready for the challenge, eager to correct past mistakes and grow stronger. Last week’s defeat afforded them that opportunity.

“That was the best thing for us. We needed that, and I think it just motivated our kids that we have to be better,” La Center coach John Lambert said. “And the little things — you can’t let little things go. That might work against a lesser opponent. … Moving forward, everyone’s very good. So, I think that was kind of the point of emphasis — we’ve got to clean up the little things.”

LA CENTER 58, ELMA 6

Elma 6 0 0 0—6

L.C. 13 35 7 3—58

First quarter

LC — Isaac Chromey 8 run (Nate Rembisz kick)

LC — Chromey 27 run (Rembisz kick)

E — Traden Carter 41 pass from Isaac McGaffey (kick blocked)

Second quarter

LC — Chromey 25 pass from Wyatt Eiesland (Rembisz kick)

LC — Chromey 41 interception return (Rembisz kick)

LC — Eiesland 12 fumble return (Rembisz kick)

LC — Kaden Emerson 4 run (Rembisz kick)

LC — Chromey 10 run (Rembisz kick)

Third quarter

LC — Eiesland 2 run (Rembisz kick)

Fourth quarter

LC — Rembisz 26 field goal

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Elma: Bo Muller 6-4, Kolby Radamacher 5-4, Dayton Brookins 1-7, Isaac McGaffey 6-(minus 20), Colt Landstrom 1-2. La Center: Isaac Chromey 11-106, Kaden Emerson 4-34, Wyatt Eiesland 7-60, Houston Coyle 1-3, Gaven Emerson 4-15, Nate Rembisz 3-23, Quinn Stevens 1-7, Adrian Whited 1-4.

PASSING — Elma: Isaac McGaffey 6-15-1-80. La Center: Wyatt Eiesland 4-10-1-60, Nate Rembisz 1-2-0-8.

RECEIVING — Elma: Ethan Camus 3-20, Traden Carter 1-41, Colt Landstrom 1-9, Bo Muller 1-10. La Center: Isaac Chromey 2-33, Parker McKinney 1-14, Houston Coyle 1-13, Jonathan Suhajda 1-8.