Alvarado throws 2 TDs, Sheppard’s 49-yarder seals it for Central in win over Tomah
It scored a touchdown 45 seconds into the game and another with 19 seconds left in the first half. But the Central High School football team’s final touchdown, a Gavin Sheppard 49-yard run, was the one that iced it.
The Riverhawks beat Tomah 23-7, mostly throwing the ball Friday on a rain soaked Roger Harring Stadium at UW-La Crosse.
Central (5-1, 3-1) quarterback Jude Alvarado threw two first-half touchdowns to set the tone, hitting Aaron Poelma on the first drive — after forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff. The other went to Henry Meyer for 29 yards to end the first half, putting the Riverhawks up 17-0.
But the game was far from over. Tomah made up for their lost fumble to start the game, by forcing Central into one on its first possession of the second half.
The Timberwolves (2-4, 0-4) took over on Central’s 8 yard line and Logan Rufeldt scored from 5 out, two plays later, to cut the lead to 17-7 with 9:28 remaining in the third.
Defense controlled the game most of the way from there, highlighted by a Leo Orlikowski interception that set up Shepard’s game-icing run on the next play.
Next week, WKTY will Logan at Tomah. Here’s how to watch:
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TOP PHOTO: Screenshot of Central’s Gavin Sheppard breaking away from the Tomah defense for a 49-yard score on Sept. 22, 2023, during a WKTY broadcast.