(Editor's note: This story will be updated later with a full box score).

ROCHESTER — Last fall, Cade Goergen took over as Century’s quarterback, replacing Nate Long, who missed the final three games of the season due to an injury.

In just his second varsity start, Goergen helped lead the Panthers to a 28-20 road victory over the Winona Winhawks on Oct. 15, 2025.

Just more than a year later, Goergen lifted the Panthers to another win over Winona — this time a 52-20 victory on Wednesday in Rochester.

Goergen, now a senior, has looked comfortable running the Panthers offense this fall.

“It's been really fun,” Goergen said of his role this season. “Last year, I had a rough game against Northfield for my first-ever varsity game, and I feel like that win against Winona really helped my confidence as a starting quarterback.”

After tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder last spring, Long, also a senior, switched back to wide receiver, a role he played on the varsity team as a sophomore. The switch has worked out well for both parties, especially Goergen, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, seven TDs and seven interceptions this fall.

The Panthers were in control from the first play of Wednesday's game, during which Goergen connected with senior receiver Adam Rice for a 65-yard touchdown pass, putting the Panthers up 7-0 just 17 seconds into the first quarter.

“I felt like we brought an energy that we hadn't brought all season,” Long said. “I don't know if it was because it was the last game, I don't know if it was because it's the last time the seniors were out here on this field, but we genuinely brought a different type of energy, and you could feel it from the very first play.”

For Goergen, Long and the rest of the Century seniors, Wednesday could very well have been the final home football game of their high school careers. It was the Panthers’ third win of the 2026 season and marked the first time a Century football team has won more than two games since 2022.

“It was bittersweet,” Long said. “Obviously, we're all happy because we came out with the win, but we've put in a lot of time and a lot of hours, all these guys have for this school and for this program, and so it's definitely bittersweet. It's a good way to leave it out, but still sad to leave.”

Century star running back Max Elliott scored four TDs against the Winhawks — from 2, 10, 20 and 62 yards — bringing his season total to 15.

After giving up fourth-quarter leads in Weeks 6 and 7 against New Prague and Northfield, losing those games by a combined five points, the Panthers were desperate for a win on Wednesday ahead of the postseason.

“We've talked about all those little things and making sure that we do those little extra things and play that complete football game, and in that first quarter, I felt 'all right, finally, we're doing that,'" Century head coach Jon Vik said. "Our offense, our defense, our special teams, everything was going the way that we want it to.”

The Panthers continue to make major strides following their winless 2024-25 season, but they aren’t satisfied yet.

Next on the Panthers' to-do list is winning the program’s first playoff game since 2022.

It won’t be an easy task, as depth has been an issue for the Panthers all season with just 39 players on their roster. It’s that time of year when players are battling through bumps and bruises, and Century is no different.

“It's definitely a lot of everything, fatigue being one of the main reasons,” Long said. “Obviously, we have a lot of guys going both ways. But we need to be conditioned, and that's something we need to work on going forward into the playoffs, not being tired in the fourth quarter.”

Despite this, the Century seniors who witnessed and played through the only 0-9 season in program history as sophomores are determined to leave the program better than they found it.

“I feel like everyone sees the small roster as a disadvantage, but it just means we're super tight-knit,” Goergen said. “We hang out outside of practice all the time. …

“A couple years back when we were 0-9 … practices were low energy, but compared to this year, everything in practice is fun. We're all having fun, but we're still staying serious. We're all best friends out here. I think that really helps us stay close-knit and get the (win) during the week.”

Back in August, Long said winning the program’s first playoff game in four years would be “a statement to the city and to the state.” He added, if the seniors set a standard for future players to follow, “I'd consider that a successful season and a turning point for the Century football program.”

Nearly two months later, Long hopes the Class of 2027 has left its mark on the school and believes the season is far from over.

“I hope so. That's for the years to come to decide,” Long said. “But we did what we could to set a standard and set the energy and the effort and the execution that need to be put forward every single time that you're out here at practice, in the weight room, (or) out here for a game.”

The Panthers (3-5) will have another shot at New Prague, this time in the Section 1, Class 5A quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

"I think we're going to come out and play well, but I think we can't get complacent if we're up, and we can't get down on ourselves if we're down," Goergen said. "I feel like it's going to be a mental game because we know we can beat (New Prague), but it was close, and it was a rough fourth quarter. I mean, we just got to come out there, be mentally strong, and we'll get the (win)."

If the Panthers were to win next Tuesday, they would face Owatonna, ranked No. 8 in the state, on the road in the Section 1-5A semifinals on Saturday. The Huskies are projected to earn the No. 1 seed in the section tournament and a first-round bye.

Winona falls to 3-5 on the season. The Winhawks will likely face Faribault in the Section 1, Class 4A quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The higher seed will host.