Central Panthers Football 42-7 Tillamook

Central football wasted no time making a statement in 2026, rolling past Tillamook 42-7 on the road Friday night to open the season. The Panthers, based in Independence, Oregon, and competing in the Mid-Willamette Conference (5A), traveled to the coast for a non-league test and passed with flying colors, putting up 42 points against the Cheesemakers in a dominant performance from wire to wire. The 35-point margin left little doubt about which team controlled the evening, as Central's offense found consistent success while the defense kept Tillamook largely in check, limiting the hosts to a single score. It was the kind of opening-week statement that can set a tone for the entire fall campaign. Central moves to 1-0 on the young season and now turns its attention toward conference play in the Mid-Willamette. The Panthers will look to carry this momentum into next week as they prepare for their next opponent.