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Ty Burford Has Big Night In 2017 Lezzer Lumber Classic (06/27/17)

Recently graduated Clarion Area wide receiver Ty Burford had an opportunity to show others in Central Pennsylvania, what Bobcat fans and KSAC and District Nine opponents got to witness throughout last season.

Ty Burford is flanked by his Lezzer Lumber coach Tim Janocko of Clearfield and Clarion area coach Larry Wiser

Burford shined big time, for the victorious North Squad, in their 17-7 win in the 2017 Lezzer Lumber Classic at Altoona’s Mansion Park Stadium, Friday night (June 23rd).

By winning the 33rd annual meeting in this prestigious All-Star Football Game, the North moved to within one of the South, in all time victories. The South now leads 17-16.

The game was scoreless after one quarter. Early in the second quarter, Bellfonte defensive back Gaven Danneker intercepted a pass. Shortly thereafter, State College quarterback Tyler Snyder hit Burford down the middle for 28 yards. Burford was stopped just short of the goal line, setting the North up with a first and goal at the South one yard line. Two plays later, Braden Paulinellie ran in for the score. Brockway’s Jarrett Esposito kicked the PAT giving the North a 7-0 lead at 9:06, which they carried into halftime.

The Burford family: Laura, Mason, Ty, Brian and Ethan

North head coach Tim Janocko, from Clearfield told Tri-County Sunday sports editor Andy Stine this about Burford’s reception, “That catch that (Burford) made, oh my. He had been doing that all week in practice. We knew he could do that. He had been making those catches all week. He did a nice job.” Burford also had another catch in the first half.

Hollidaysburg quarterback Jarrett Cavalet got the South on the board with a 57 yard touchdown run at 10:21 of the third quarter, with Central’s Jacob Muthler tacking on the extra point, Tying the game at 7-all.

The North took the lead for good, with under a minute left in the third, when Paulinellie had another touchdown run, this time from 7 yards out. Esposito was successful on the extra point and the North led 14-7.

Snyder and Burford connected again on a 27 yard hookup in the fourth, but the drive stalled. Esposito closed out the scoring with a 27 yard field goal late in the game, setting the final at 17-7 North.

(Photo provided by the Burford’s) Ty with his cheering section: Front (L-R) Coach Lee Weber, Krista Weber, Hayden Weber, Mason Burford, Kyle Klimek, Ethan Burford, Diane Klimek.Back (L-R) Nate McClaine, Coach Larry Wiser, Dave McClaine, Ryan Wiser, Ty Burford, Laura Burford, Brian Burford, Joe Klimek.

Burford had what looked like another 20-plus yard catch, in the fourth quarter, as he stretched out over the defender along the North sideline, but was ruled out of bounds. In all, Burford had 3 catches for 61 yards. His receiving yardage nearly totaled that of all the other receivers for both squads in the game, as they combined for eight catches for sixty-three yards. When asked about how he felt about his reception yardage nearly equaling  all the others, Burford said, “It’s a huge honor. I know there is a lot of tradition in the Lezzer Lumber Game. And a lot of great athlete’s have played in it. It’s really an honor just to participate in it.”

At halftime, Burford was awarded one of the two Lezzer Lumber scholarships.

With the North Squad being coached by Janocko, who leads District Nine in all-time wins, Tyler has the distinction of playing for the number one and number two career wins leaders. Bobcat mentor Larry Wiser is second on the list. Janocko and Wiser have over 450 combined wins.

A number of folks turned out to watch and root for Burford. He said, “It was great to see all my family and coaches, all the people from Clarion in the stands to watch me. It was great to have them there.”

Ty flanked by Bobcat coaches (L-R) Larry Wiser, Nate McClaine and Lee Weber

The Lezzer Lumber Classic was a great way for athletes throughout central Pennsylvania to get together. Burford had this to say about the week, “What I really enjoyed the most was playing with other guys, all high caliber athletes, who’ve been around the game of football a long time. I really enjoyed getting to meet new people from as far out as Central Mountain and Glendale. That was neat.”

Burford will have the distinction of being the first Bobcat player to participate in two all-star games, when he joins teammates Jay Remmick and Kyle Patterson along with Clarion coaches Wiser, McClaine and Scott Miller and equipment manager Kevin “Fonzie” Slike on the KSAC Squad, in the Second Annual Frank Varischetti All-Star Game in Brockway on Friday (June 30th).

North Squad – 2017 Lezzer Lumber Classic Champions

On joining his two teammates one more time, Burford said, “It’s really cool to play with Jay and Kyle again. The last game you think you’ll never be able to play with anybody on your team again. But it’s cool to have them come back and me to be able to come back an play in this game.”

Offensive MVPs in the Lezzer Lumber game were, for the North: Brayden Pauline – DuBois and for the South: Jarrett Cavalet – Hollidaysburg. Defensive MVPs were, for the North: Peyton Edwards – State College and for the South: Kyle Dodson – Central.

(Congratulations to Ty and the rest of the North Squad on their victory and to both Teams on a great game!!!!)