krobinett@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - The fans started to yawn, the players started to take it easy and the coaches started to send in plays designed only to run out the clock.

This was nothing new for the Century football team. In the past year and a half, the Diamondbacks have played out this scenario far too many times.

Only on Friday at Holt Arena, they got to experience the good end of a blowout.

Century easily defeated Twin Falls 26-6 in its home opener, and a jubilant bunch of Diamondbacks ran off the field dreaming big.

"This felt really good," said Century quarterback Michael Semons, who completed 14 of 20 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. "I knew we were capable of playing this way. I think we're going to do a lot of good things from now on."

The 4A Diamondbacks proved early on that they were serious about beating the 5A Bruins. Century marched 74 yards on 13 plays to open the game with a one-yard touchdown plunge from Semons. But before scoring the touchdown, Semons completed his first four passes to keep the drive alive.

Everything went according to plan.

"That was good coordination with everybody," Century coach Nate Borchert said. "It was a well-balanced job by the whole team. It really couldn't have gone any better."

Semons continued to move the Diamondbacks downfield from there and went on to complete his first eight passes.

So it came as no surprise that Century scored on its second possession, too. This time Semons hit wide receiver Koby Campbell for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Campbell ended the game with 102 yards and two touchdowns receiving, one coming from Storm Shelley on a beautiful fake punt that went for a 37-yard score.

Semons also found Logan Standley five times for 57 yards and a touchdown.

"Michael is a solid individual," Borchert said. "I thought he managed the offense really well."

What helped Century's passing attack work so well, though, was that it was matched by a balanced running game and a strong defense. The Diamondbacks rushed for 145 yards, and tackled the Bruins behind the line of scrimmage eight times.

Twin Falls (1-2) never figured out how to slow down Century's defensive line, and by the end of the game, had only amassed 164 yards of offense.

By far, it was the unit's best showing of the Borchert era.

And though it may have come as a surprise to outsiders that Century could handle a 5A opponent so easily and move its record to 2-2, the Diamondbacks were predicting a win like this all week.

Running back Rhys Borchert, who rushed for a game-high 58 yards said Century should be expected to win its home games from now on.

"After playing our first three games on the road, we came together as a team and decided we weren't going to lose at home," he said. "We're confident, and we feel like we should win every game we play in the dome."

Considering that Century plays its four remaining games at Holt Arena, that confidence won't be going anywhere.