Fourth-quarter score lifts Central past Warner in home opener

There may have been some nervous fans in the stands Friday night at Tiger Stadium, but a fourth-quarter score midway through the period lifted the host Central Tigers to a 32-30 home-opening victory over the visiting Warner Eagles.

After the Eagles (1-1) took a 30-26 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers (2-0) took the lead for good on Braxin Goodson’s third touchdown pass of the night to Gavin Randolph, this one a 52-yarder, with 6:13 left to play. The two-point conversion failed.

Goodson connected three times with Randolph, connecting on 36-yarder just late in the first half to cut the Central deficit to 22-20 at halftime and hitting Randolph on a 28-yard TD pass for the only score of the third quarter to give the Tigers a 26-22 lead going into the final period.

After the Eagles took the opening kickoff back for a 78-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead, Goodson scored on a 3-yard TD run to cut Central’s deficit to 8-6 after a quarter.

Back-to-back touchdowns and a two-point conversion put the Eagles on top 22-6.

Ryker Miller scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to cut Warner’s lead to 22-14, setting up Goodson’s first TD pass to Randolph to cut Central’s deficit to 22-20 at halftime.

Goodson threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns as well as scored on two two-point conversions.

Miller rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Goodson rushed for 70 yards and a TD.

Randolph caught six passes for 161 yards and three TD receptions.

The Tigers will return to action when they travel to meet the host Roland Rangers at 7 p.m. Friday at Ranger Stadium for Roland’s homecoming.