Damien Slike And John Katis To Continue Their Football Careers At Clarion University (03/24/14)

Two key players for the District Nine Class-A Champion Clarion Area High School Football Team have made their decisions on where to continue their academic and gridiron careers. Damien Slike and John Katis have both committed to play as teammates for the Clarion University Golden Eagles.

(Photo by Coach Wiser)
New CUP recruits, John Katis and Damien Slike

Slike, was a Pennsylvania Football News (PFN) All-State 1st Team Offensive Athlete as a senior and an Honorable Mention Kick Returner as a junior; PFN Academic All-State as a sophomore, junior and senior; WesternPaFootball.net All-Western PA Small School Honorable Mention at Running Back his senior year; TCS/C-E Honorable Mention as a sophomore, 2nd Team Linebacker as a junior and 1st Team Running Back as a senior; D9Sports.com / Rehab Centre – Most Valuable Player as a senior; KSAC, Small School Division – Offensive MVP as a senior; All-KSAC Small School Division – 1st Team Fullback and Linebacker as a junior and senior.

Katis was a WesternPaFootball.net All-Western PA Small School Honorable Mention at Quarterback his senior year; TCS/CE 2nd Team Quarterback as a junior, Honorable Mention as a junior; All-KSAC Small School Division – 1 st Team Quarterback as a junior and senior.

Slike ran for 1,896 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior. He had 361 yards receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. He had 3092 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns, 742 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns on his career. He had 103 tackles his senior year and 288 career tackles.

Katis completed 109 of 180 passes for 2241 yards and 25 touchdowns, with only 4 interceptions his senior year. For his career, he completed 210 of 373 passes for 4082 yards, with only 18 interceptions.

Many of the above totals for both Slike and Katis are school records.

Clarion University Head Coach Jay Foster had this to say about his two local recruits, “First and foremost they are both winners, quality young men, and good students!

“Damian’s size and speed combination is awesome. He is athletic and can play a number of positions so his versatility is a huge plus. He has a chance to play earlier than John because of that athletic versatility.

“John has been the QB for two straight great HS football teams. He has excellent height and has good arm strength. He needs to get bigger and stronger though. He also needs to work on the quickness of his release. His number one issue will be the physical size.

“He just needs to get bigger in order to take the shots he will get here. I am real excited about both young men. I believe they can be a big part of our future here.”

Clarion Area Coach Larry Wiser had some good comments on the two: “I’m excited to see them play college ball. Both have the stamina to stay with it. Both enjoy playing football.

“Damien could play offense or defense. It’s a great fit for Damien. The upside for John is his arm strength and his smarts. Coach Wiser said that he is glad they are playing at Clarion University and that it will afford a “great opportunity to see them play.”

Coach Wiser also mentioned the guys’ familiarity with their playing field. Memorial Stadium is both Clarion Area High School’s and Clarion University’s home field. But these two go further back than that. Slike was a ball boy for the High School when he was younger and Katis was a ball boy for the University.

Coach Wiser said, “Both have grown up on that field.”

The two young men shared the following thoughts:
Slike said, “The games I most remember was winning the D9 game and the North Catholic game even though I was injured. I would like to thank all my coaches, all of our fans, family and everyone who helped out with the program.

“I picked CUP because it is close to home and seemed like a good fit for me. I’m going in undecided and will be playing strong safety.

“My biggest inspirations have to be my dad who passed away and my mom for being there for me every step of the way.”

Katis mentioned, “My biggest memory from high school football is going the farthest in school history my senior year and never losing a home football game my whole career.

“All of my coaches were a major help and we all had a lot of fun together. Each coach I have a different niche with in our own way.

“My most memorable game was the Lakeview game for the crowd and an amazing high-school football environment. It’s what I dreamed about all my life playing in a huge game and not only playing in one, but coming out victorious as we did.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the whole community for supporting the Clarion Football Team throughout the years I was a part of it and Coach Wiser and the junior high coaches and the varsity coaches that have helped me along the way.

“I chose CUP because of all the new renovations they’re applying here and the great coaches and alumni that comes along with Clarion University Football. Also so I can keep playing at Clarion, the same stadium I played at for high school and I can still look over on the home sideline and see my father standing there watching his son play what he loves most… Football.

“I’m studying business management and a minor in sports management. I will be fulfilling my dream of becoming a college Quarterback at a big program and the PSAC being a very competitive conference. I look forward to being coached by Coach Foster and Coach Wiebel and the rest of the Clarion coaching staff.”

And now for my comments: It has been great watching these two over the years and seeing them grow from boys to men. Knowing them both personally, I can say that they are two of the finest young men I know. They are fine examples of what student athletes should be.

Their families, the Clarion Area School District administration, faculty and coaching staff, and the Clarion community should be very, very proud of these two fine men.

Coach Foster you are getting something special, in these two.

Damien and John, I am proud to know you both and best wishes on your academic and athletic careers at CUP!!!!