Centennial’s defense sought a stronger finish after giving up a combined 25 points in the fourth quarter in its first two games this season.

The result: a near-flawless performance in a 16-0 shutout at Anoka. The defense allowed just 29 yards, registered a safety and fueled the Cougars’ first 3-0 season start since 2011.

“We wanted it more than Anoka,” senior defensive lineman Mitch Wlaschin said. “That led us to a win and allowing 29 yards.”

Eager to avoid a letdown after defeating defending Class 6A state champion Totino-Grace last week, Centennial made enough plays on offense and rode a dominant defense.

Senior quarterback Ryan Koob ran for both Centennial scores in the second quarter.

One play after converting on fourth-and-1, Koob got loose for a 23-yard touchdown. Centennial used an 11-play, 91-yard drive to double its lead just before halftime. Senior running back Sam Bonfe ran 44 yards to get his team to the Anoka 38-yard line. Koob finished the drive with a 1-yard dive on fourth down with 17 seconds on the clock.

“We had 325 yards of offense, and that was all the offensive line,” Koob said.

Anoka (0-3) got its best chance in the third quarter as the defense recovered a fumble at Centennial’s 34-yard line. But the Cougars turned the Tornadoes over on downs without permitting a single yard.

Not content to just prevent points, Wlaschin and senior linebacker Jarod Peterson tackled an Anoka ball-carrier in the end zone for a fourth-quarter safety and 16-0 lead.

“We had two pretty close calls in the fourth quarter, and we didn’t want to let that happen again,” Wlaschin said.

Centennial welcomes St. Michael-Albertville next week in a battle of unbeatens.

“St. Michael-Albertville is a great team, and we can’t wait to face them,” Koob said. “It going to be a great game.”

Centennial maintained its recent mastery of Anoka and stayed perfect to start the season with a 16-0 victory on the road Friday.

Senior quarterback Ryan Koob ran for both Centennial scores in the second quarter as the Cougars started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2011. That year was also the last time Anoka defeated the Cougars, who have won six consecutive games in the series.

Centennial showed no signs of letdown after knocking off defending Class 6A state champion Totino-Grace last week.

The Cougars’ offense clicked in the second quarter. One play after converting on 4th and 1, Koob got loose for a 23-yard touchdown.

Centennial used an 11-play, 91-yard drive to double its lead just before halftime. Senior running back Sam Bonfe ran 44 yards to get his team to the Anoka 38-yard line. Koob finished the drive with a 1-yard dive on 4th down with 17 seconds on the clock.

Anoka, playing its home opener at Goodrich Field, mustered just 32 total yards in first half. Neither team has scored in first quarter yet this season. Centennial’s first two drives sputtered. The Cougars got turned over on downs and lost a fumble. Anoka (0-3) fared no better, managing one first down on its first two drives.

Anoka’s struggling offense got its best chance in the third quarter as the defense recovered a fumble at Centennial’s 34-yard line. But the Cougars’ got tough, turning the Tornadoes over on downs without permitting a single yard. The defense tipped a screen pass to kill the drive.

Centennial’s defense didn’t just prevent points. The unit tackled an Anoka ball-carrier in the end zone for a fourth-quarter safety to extend the lead to 16-0. After surrendering a total of 25 points in the fourth quarter in the first two games, the defense finished Friday’s game in style.