Ryan Roddy
Section618.com

SALEM — Carson Green’s 81-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter sent the Centralia Orphans to a 35-28 win over Salem in the annual Shrine Game in front of a big crowd at Jim Finks Field Friday night.

The Orphans jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, but the Wildcats cut it to 14-13 with 4:40 to go in the first half. Green scored from six yards out to give Centralia a 21-13 lead at the half.

The Wildcats would come out strong in the second half. Cayden Harris’ 47-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter, and Brayden Smith’s score early in the fourth put Salem on top 28-21.

Green answered with a 9-yard touchdown run with six minutes to play. Will Graham’s extra point tied the game at 28. The Orphans’ defense then came up with a critical stop to set up Green’s heroics. The junior scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown with 1:24 left on the clock.

The Orphans (1-0) will head to St. Louis next Friday to take on Gateway Stem at 6:00 pm, while the Wildcats (0-1) will host Alton Marquette.