MITCHELL – Aberdeen Central has big-play capabilities and its not afraid to use them.

The Golden Eagles took advantage when opportunities arose Saturday night and rolled past Mitchell 33-14 in Eastern South Dakota Conference football action.

“We don’t mind throwing the long ball,” said Central coach Scott Svendsen. “If we have the opportunity to throw it, I feel like we have kids that can run and catch it and Sam (Rohlfs) can throw it up there for them. Were going to take advantage of what they give us.”

The first opportunity presented itself just two plays into the game against the Kernels.

Rohlfs hooked up with Jacob Merxbauer on a 61-yard pass for a touchdown.

“We figured we could throw the long ball when they roll their corners down on us,” Svendsen said. “They rolled it down. (Sam) saw it. He signaled out to the receiver and he threw the deep ball and we scored.”

Then a pivotal sequence took place at the start of the second quarter.

Rohlfs and Merxbauer hooked up again, this time for a 24-yard scoring play. When Mitchell turned the ball over, Central attacked immediately and scored just 19 seconds later when Rohlfs fired a 45-yard scoring strike to Drew Salfrank.

“We got it and on a turnover sometimes if I feel like it’s right, let’s throw another dagger at them and we did,” Svendsen said. “That’s just something I’ve always learned. If you feel like you’ve got them down a little bit and they’re hanging their heads, we’re going to go after them.”

Central added another TD right before the half when Merxbauer scored on a reverse.

From there, the Eagles were content to keep the ball on the ground and eventually added a final score when Rohlfs ran in from 34 yards out.

“The second half we had a two-touchdown lead,” Svendsen said. “I know they were packing the box, but I got really conservative and started running the ball. I was willing to milk the clock as much as possible.”

Rohlfs finished with 153 yards passing, 98 of which went to Merxbauer. Karson Carda led the ground game with 81 yards rushing.

Parker Bauer spearheaded with Central defense with a pair of pass interceptions.

Add it all together and the Golden Eagles are 3-0 on the season.

“It’s all the kids doing their deal. I’m just happy to be here,” Svendsen said. “The kids are doing an outstanding job, they really are.”

Central travels to Brookings on Friday in what Svendsen figures to be another physical battle.

“They’re kind of like Mtichell,” he said. “They’re going to get after you physically. We just have to be ready for that type of ball game again.”

Aberdeen Central 7 20 0 6 – 33

Mitchell 0 7 7 0 – 14

First Quarter

AC – Jacob Merxbauer 61 pass from Sam Rohlfs (Tayden Brownson kick), 10:58.

Second Quarter

AC – Merxbauer 24 pass from Rohlfs (Brownson kick), 10:39.

AC – Drew Salfrank 45 pass from Rohlfs (kick failed), 10:18.

M – Treyson Schultz 3 run (Joe Haddon kick), 3:27.

AC – Merxbauer 11 run ( (Brownson kick), :30.

Third Quarter

M – Schultz 55 run (Haddon kick), 10:01.

Fourth Quarter

AC – Rohlfs 34 run (kick failed), 11:51.

OFFENSE: Aberdeen Central rushing 31-195 (Karson Carda 13-81, Sam Rohlfs 5-50, Jayden Biegler 7-41), passing 5-12-0 for 153 (Rohlfs 5-12-0 for 153), receiving (Jacob Merxbauer 3-98, Drew Salfrank 1-45, Mason Huff 1-10), first downs 16; Mitchell rushing 40-255 (Treyson Schultz 11-116, Josh Grosdidier 17-82, Tucker Vilhauer 8-49), passing 12-19-2 for 112 (Schultz 12-19-2 for 112), receiving (Jace Larson 3-29, AJ Siemsen 3-22, Grosdider 3-19, Landon Waddell 1-25, Joseph Van Overschelde 1-14), first downs 16.

DEFENSE: Aberdeen Central, Collin Huff 10 tackles, Jacob Waltman 6 tackles, Casey Vining 5 tackles, Aiden Heimann 5 tackles, Cole Artz 5 tackles, Parker Bauer 5 tackles and 2 interceptions; Mitchell, Jake Helleloid 6 tackles, Grosdidier 5 tackles.