LA JARA – It was a battle of Top 10 teams on Thursday as the sixth-ranked Centauri High School football team hosted third-ranked Buena Vista at the Falcons’ field.

It was an even match-up for the first three quarters, but the Demons proved to be too much as they defeated the Falcons 37-27.

“They made the plays and we didn’t and that turned the game around,” said Centauri coach Kyle Forster. “We just have to be better and make the plays when it’s our turn to make the plays.”

The game was delayed 30 minutes because of lightning, but the first three possessions resulted in punting situations.

Centauri was able to get on the scoreboard first as it went 80 yards on 16 plays. Caden Ruggles scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge, and Isaiah Livingstone kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Buena Vista looked as though it was going to tie the game as it marched to the Centauri 44. However, Dallyn King intercepted Hudson Wingo on the 1-yard line to end the threat.

The Demons’ defense put Buena Vista on the board as Knox Reid sacked Sean Jarvies in the end zone for a safety.

Buena Vista didn’t take long to go in front after the free kick. Wingo threw to Caleb Pierce who ran 64 yards for a touchdown. Logan Scott converted the extra point to give the Demons a 9-7 lead.

Centauri punted on its next possession, but Pierce muffed the kick and the Falcons recovered on the Buena Vista 14. Sean Jarvies threw a 13-yard touchdown to Carson Shawcroft, and Livingstone again kicked in the point-after for a 14-9 Centauri lead.

The Demons regained the lead as Wingo threw a 15-yard touchdown to a wide-open Casen Pridemore. Eli Schuknecht ran in the two-point conversion and Buena Vista had a 17-14 lead.

The Falcons took the lead back as Sean Jarvies and Shawcroft hooked up again – this time on a 35-yard scoring strike. Livingstone’s extra-point attempt was good and Centauri had a 21-17 lead.

It looked as though the Falcons would go into halftime with the lead after Shawcroft intercepted Wingo on the last play of the second quarter. However, a pass interference penalty was called and the Demons had one untimed down.

Buena Vista took advantage of the penalty as Wingo threw to Schucknecht, who reversed his field and ran in for a 39-yard touchdown. Scott’s extra-point was successful and the Demons had a 24-21 lead at the intermission.

Shawcroft ended another potential Buena Vista scoring drive with an interception that stood. Two plays later Sean Jarvies threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to King, but the extra-point attempt was no good and Centauri led 27-24.

The Demons regained the lead near the end of the third quarter as Schuknecht ran over several Centauri defenders for a 21-yard touchdown. Scott missed the point after and Buena Vista led 30-27.

The Demons put the game away as Joe Bearss ran a reverse sweep 24 yards for a touchdown. Scott converted the extra point.

Centauri had one more chance to score, but Pierce intercepted Sean Jarvies to end the drive.

Centauri had 201 yards of total offense with Sean Jarvies completing 11 of 21 passes for 175 yards. King was the top receiver with four catches for 81 yards, followed by Ruggles with three for 28 yards, and Shawcroft with two receptions for 48 yards.

The Falcons, however, managed only 26 yards on the ground. Ruggles was the leading ground gainer with 11 yards on six carries.

Buena Vista had 397 total yards – 194 rushing and 203 passing.

Wingo completed nine of 18 passes for 203 yards. Pierce was his top target with four catches for 93 yards. Schuknecht had two receptions for 58 yards.

Schuknecht led the ground game with 113 yards on 25 carries, followed by Pridemore with 62 yards on 14 carries.

Centauri (2-1) will have a week off before traveling to Bayfield on Sept. 26.

“It was be good to heal up some of our bangs and bruises, and hopefully we’ll be able to make good plays from here on out.”

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Buena Vista 37, Centauri 27

Buena Vista 0 24 6 7 – 37

Centauri 7 14 6 0 – 27

First quarter

C – Ruggles 1 run (Livingstone kick), 0:03

Second quarter

BV – safety, Reid tackled S. Jarvies in end zone, 6:27

BV – Pierce 64 pass from Wingo (Scott kick), 5:19

C – Shawcroft 13 pass from S. Jarvies (Livingstone kick), 3:28

BV – Pridemore 15 pass from Wingo (Schuknecht run), 1:12

C – Shawcroft 35 pass from S. Jarvies (Livingstone kick), 0:23

BV – Schuknecht 39 pass from Wingo (Scott kick), 0:00

Third quarter

C – King 50 pass from S. Jarvies (kick failed), 5:48

BV – Schuknecht 21 run (kick failed), 0:39

Fourth quarter

BV – Bearss 24 run (Scott kick), 2:47