Football Boosters Host Bobcat Football Banquet (11/25/14)
The Clarion Area Football Boosters hosted the Annual Banquet on Sunday (November, 23) afternoon at the American Legion Banquet Hall, on Main Street.
2014 KSAC Small School Champion, Clarion Bobcats
Booster President, Dave Hartley opened the program with a welcome to those in attendance and several announcements. After thanking the parents and Boosters, he led an invocation. Then the attendees enjoyed a meal provided by A La Carte Catering.
After the dinner President Hartley thanked several people, including Andrea Bartley and Shelby Wolbert for their help in organizing the banquet. He then recapped some of the highlights from the 2014 KSAC Champions’ season.
He mentioned some of the milestones reached by this year’s squad. Among the milestones mentioned were: the Bobcats winning the KSAC Small School Championship, every year since the current format – Big School, Small School was initiated (the Bobcats have now won five straight titles); running back Ian Corbett becoming the first Bobcat and first player in Little 7-12/KSAC history to rush for 2000 yards in a season; the team recording the 475th victory in the program’s history; and being the team that won the game that moved Coach Larry Wiser into the number one spot on the All-Time Little 7-12/KSAC Career Coaching Victories list.
Various support staff, were recognized. Among them were: team photographers, Bri Nellis and Gary Wiant; equipment managers Kevin “Fonzie” Slike and his assistants, brother Vance Slike and niece, Bailee Slike; team trainer, Devon Skinner and his assistants.
The assistant coaches were recognized, as well as Head Coach, Larry Wiser, who introduced this year’s senior players, Thomas Plummer, Jacob Troutman, Destin Strauser, Matt Wagner, Ian Corbett and Ethan Straffin. The seniors then thanked a number of folks for their help and support throughout the season. Coach Wiser mentioned that this group of seniors, who were given plaques, went 28-1 in the KSAC during their careers.
Next Line Coach Nate McClaine announced the players, by Class as they came forward to be recognized, and receive their pins.
Then the assistant coaches, Don Skunda, Lee Weber, Scott “Scooter” Miller, Todd Smith and Nate McClaine presented this year’s Team Award winners with their awards.
Destin, Ty, Thomas, Ian, Alexander, Jacob, Michael, Ethan
They include:
Ian Corbett – Jerry “Joe” Staley, Outstanding Senior Award and Offensive MVP; Michael Bartley – Brad Leonard, Pizza Hut, Outstanding Junior Award; Thomas Plummer – Tom Smith Memorial Scholarship and Special Teams Award; Jacob Troutman – Defensive MVP Award; Alexander Burkhart – Alex Arth “Hogmeister” Outstanding Lineman Award; Ty Burford – Gary Ross Lawrence, Outstanding Sophomore Award.
Next, Coach Wiser gave special mention to Corbett and Destin Strauser for receiving the top awards in the KSAC. Corbett was named Offensive MVP and Strauser was named Defensive MVP. This is the second year in a row Strauser received the award.
Then Coach Wiser, introduced Kevin Slike and made mention of his and his family’s years of tireless efforts for the football program and Kevin’s many years of volunteering in helping the elderly around the community. The Slikes are a local treasure. Then in what was a big crowd pleaser and hopefully new tradition, Kevin introduced the Bobcats who were named to the All-KSAC Small School Team. All-Conference members included: Corbett, Strauser, Burkhart, Bartley, Troutman and Ethan Straffin.
Coach Wiser then mentioned how proud he was of this years team, giving a number of compliments to them. He also thanked the parents and the coaches wives.
The senior players then presented the coaches with “gag” gifts.
Parents presenting senior players with game jerseys and photos
The evening ended with the seniors being presented with their action photos (by Bri Nellis and Gary Wiant) and game jerseys. The seniors also were given helmets that were autographed by their teammates and coaching staff.
(Congratulations to the 2014 Bobcat Football Team and thanks to the Boosters for a fine banquet!!!!)