Janesville routes Central City in season opener (w/ video highlights)

JANESVILLE - Central City football coach Matt Weis expected some growing pains this season.

The season opener for his inexperienced squad proved that and more.

Janesville dominated both sides of the ball, scoring at will and shutting down the Central City offense for a 65-0 victory in 8-man football Friday night.

Experience was a big advantage for Janesville, which started six seniors and two juniors after reaching the postseason last year. Central City started three freshmen and more than half its lineup were freshmen later in the game.

"We have five freshmen out there at one time and that's their first varsity experience," Weis said. "There is a big step from junior high to high school. That's why the bigger schools have freshman football. ... we have to rely on freshmen to play once in a while."

They received a trial by fire. Janesville wasted little time, scoring on its opening drive. After Central City surrendered minimal gains the first four plays, Janesville's Josh Despard got outside, broke a couple tackles and accelerated for a 42-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the game.

"We played pretty well to start the game off," Weis said. "We missed  a couple tackles on that first touchdown we should have made and things went down hill."

Janesville started rolling with a little more than three minutes left in the first quarter. Despard added his second touchdown run, bouncing around the left end and out-running a defender 14-yards to the pylon. Janesville started the drive at the Central City 7-yard line, recovering the first of two first-half blocked punts.

Janesville scored on their final six possessions of the first half, Hunter Meyer hit Nick Watson for a 27-yard TD pass to make it 21-0 with less than a minute to go in the first. Watson added an 11-yard TD run in the second quarter.

Meyer connected with Chris Bright for two touchdown passes, scoring from 39 and 25 yards. Janesville Coach Travis Miller praised bright's performance, making his first start. Meyer gave Janesville a 45-0 lead at halftime, connecting on a 31-yard field goal in the final minute before Central City killed the clock to end the half.

Janesville demonstrated its versatility with four players contributing to more than one touchdown.

"I don't think I've had that many weapons on one team," Miller said. "They make calling the plays pretty easy."

Miller still pointed to Janesville's defense. Central City managed just three first downs and nine total yards - seven rushing and four passing.

"Our defense is one of the most outstanding," Miller said. " That was more of a statement defensively than offensively."

Janesville tallied more than 230 rushing yards, led by Despard's 81, which all came in the first half. Nick Grimelli added 61 in the second half. Meyer finished with 98 passing yards.

Central City was led by Alden Betzer, who rushed for 32 yards. Sophomore quarterback David Mosher ran for 17, but was pressured most of the night. Weis said Janesville won the battles on the line and exposed the inexperience up front.

"It's nothing against our line," Weis said. "It's just the nature of the beast."

Weis talked to his players about staying positive and making progress each week. He expects better play in Week 1. Central City (0-1) travels to Meskwaki Settlement School, a team Central City beat to start last season.

"We have a real opportunity next week to put a (win) on the board," said Weis, who told his players in the postgame huddle, "Keep your heads up. This is one game."

Janesville (1-0) plays at Dunkerton next week.

JANESVILLE 65, CENTRAL CITY 0

At JANESVILLE

TEAM STATISTICS

CC

J

First downs

3

13

Rushes-yards

31-7

36-233

Passing yards

4

98

Comp-Att-Int

3-8-0

4-8-0

Total yards

11

331

Fumbles-lost

2-2

1-0

Punts-average

6-26.0

1-32.0

Penalties-yards

1-5

10-90

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Central City -- Alden Betzer 10-32, David Mosher 3-17, Nick Strait 5-1, Joey Rochford 5-(-7), Team 8-(-36); Janesville -- Josh Despard 8-81, Nick Grimelli 5-61, Chris Grimelli 6-38, Caleb Reeves 8-28, Nick Watson 2-13, Sam Meyne 3-13, Caleb Rieken 2-5, Hunter Meyer 1-0, Team 1-(-7).

Passing: Central City -- Mosher 3-8-0-4; Janesville -- Meyer Name 4-8-0-98.

Receiving: Central City -- Betzer 1-4, Rochford 1-2, Dylan Berg 1-(-2); Janesville -- Chris Bright 2-64, Watson 1-24, Despard 1-7.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central City

--

Janesville

21

24

6

14

--

65

SCORING SUMMARY

J -- Despard 42 run (Meyer kick)

J -- Despard 14 run (Meyer kick)

J -- Watson 27 pass from Meyer (Meyer kick)

J -- Bright 39 pass from Meyer (Meyer kick)

J -- Watson 11 run (Meyer kick)

J -- Bright 25 pass from Meyer (Meyer kick)

J -- Meyer 31 FG

J -- Caleb Reeves 7 run (kick failed)

J -- Meyne 1 run (Meyer kick)

J -- Chris Grimelli 16 run (Meyer kick)