Centralia Panther’s Football State Championship winning Coach Erle Bennett, is going into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame with 206 victories under his belt.
Bennett arrived in Centralia in 1989 as an assistant coach and spent five seasons working as the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
In 1994 he was promoted to head football coach.
During his tenure, the Panthers captured Clarence Cannon Conference and Class 2 District Titles in 2002, 2003, and 2006-2011.
In addition, the Panthers claimed the 2003 Missouri Class 2 State Championship as well as a runner-up finish in 2002 and a semi-final appearance in 2009.
The enshrinement will take place on Sunday, November 3rd at Columbia’s Holiday Inn Executive Center.