Bobcats Down Rovers To Advance To District Nine Class-AA Football Championship Game (11/06/16)

The Clarion Bobcat gridders traveled to Brockway on Friday night (November 4th) and came away with a 40-24 win, to punch their ticket to their sixth District 9 Title Game appearance in nine years.

(Photo courtesy of Forest Madison Mills and Kelsey Wolf) Michael McCloskey turning the corner

Led by Colton Rapp’s 169 yards rushing, a solid performance by sophomore signal caller Archer Mills, who filled in for the injured Spencer Miller, strong play by the offensive line and a formidable defense, the Bobcats were able to stage several comebacks to secure the victory at Frank Varischetti Field. The win was coach Larry Wiser’s 205th, as the Bobcat mentor and moved him into sole possession of second place all-time in District Nine coaching victories, one ahead of former Coudersport coach Paul Simcoe.

The Rovers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, when Hunter Miller hit Andrew Trunzo on a 10 yard scoring pass, at 9:35 of the first quarter. Jared Esposito was successful on the PAT.

Archer Mills, with great protection from line and backs, had a big night

Clarion came back with a long drive, culminated by a 4 yard Rapp touchdown run at 2:59 of the first, coupled with Mills PAT, to tie the score at 7-all.

Brockway opened up a ten point lead, in the second quarter, with Matt Latuska scoring on an 11 yard run at 10:03 along with Esposito’s PAT, which Esposito followed with a 38 yard field goal, with plenty of leg to spare at 4:27.

With the Rovers leading 17-7, Mills hit Ryley McMaster with a 5 yard scoring strike, with just eight seconds left in the half. Mills PAT was good and closing the gap to three points, 17-14.

Bobcat running back broke 1500 yard mark on season

The Cats took their first lead of the game, at 2:35 of the third, with Rapp scoring on a 6 yard run. Mills converted on the PAT for a 21-17 Clarion lead. The Bobcat lead was short lived though, as Latuska caught an 11 yard touchdown pass from Miller. Esposito was again successful and the Rovers led 24-21, with 42 seconds left in the third.

The fourth quarter was all Clarion, with the Bobcat offensive line forcing their will, driving off the ball and opening huge holes for the backs, while the defense held the Rovers off the board. The Cats went solely to the running game, in the final stanza, with Fullback Michael McCloskey, who had a fine night with 66 yards on eight carries, scoring two touchdowns followed by a scoring run by Mills.

McCloskey’s first touchown came from two yards out, at the 8:50 mark. Mills kick was good and the Cats took the lead for good at 28-24. Then with 5:17 left, McCloskey hit pay dirt again, this time from 5 yards out, moving the Bobcat lead to ten points, 34-24.

(Photo courtesy of Forest Madison Mills and Kelsey Wolf) host of Bobcats stopping Rover ball carrier

Mills capped off the scoring with a 6 yard run, at 2:12. The 40-24 victory was sealed when McCloskey picked off a pass allowing the Cats offense to close the game, taking a knee.

Anyone who attended the game, will attest to the fact that it was very hard hitting from both teams. Just a fun game to watch. Solid play by both teams, Brockway featuring the pass and Clarion featuring what has been their staple for forever, the run.  Great game by both squads.

In a little aside (several non game “highlights”): Clarion assistant coach Tim Amarosa, statistician Matt Buchanan and myself were treated to some fine Brockway hospitality. I was on the landing outside the press box, as a lady made her way past those on the landing to go take her turn in the snack bar. Jokingly, I asked what she was going to bring back for me. She said whatever I wanted. After she listed a little of their fare, I decided on a chili dog and pop. I hit her up for the same for my two buddies in the booth to which she obliged, refusing to accept anything for payment.

Injured Brockway player, Tony Newcome who shared the recording platform with me

Also I got to share the platform with injured Rover player Tony Newcome, who was filming for his team. We had great conversation all game. I found him to be a very courteous young man, with a strong knowledge of the game.

The Rover’s joined the Cats after the game, the 22 pushup challenge, promoting veteran suicide awareness. One of the Rover players led both teams in a post game prayer and they wished us well in the upcoming Class-AA Title game, with Kane. The game will be held at Brockway, this Friday. To me, it’ll almost seem like a home game.

Class Act Rovers!!!!

Additional Stat Highlights

Clarion: Colton Rapp went over 1500 yards on the season (presently 1506). Archer Mills was 6-for-12 passing for 52 yards and had 33 rushing yards on six carries. Michael McCloskey 2 catches for 20 yards and 7 tackles. Defensive ends, Thomas Wurster and Colt Stimmell, who have been fantastic all year, each had eleven tackles. Three of Thomas’ tackles were for minus yardage. Kyle Patterson had 8 tackles and Sterling Conner had six.

Brockway and Clarion players doing 22 pushups as part of 22Kill, Veterans’ suicide awareness program

Brockway: Hunter Miller had a big night passing, completing 14 passes for 252 yards. Three of his receivers had 50 yards plus receiving, Cameron Baka had 2 catches for 65 yards. Jake Gorham had 3 catches for 63 yards and Dylan LeCates had 4 receptions for 51 yards.

CAT QUOTES:

Colton Rapp: “That was a battle the whole game. There was no letting up Even at the end there, I think they (Brockway) were kind of  out of (the game), but they were still cracking us. I think what it really came down to, is we were in shape and we were ready to rock. We’ve had a chip on our shoulder this whole year, because everyone’s just kind of been like, ‘Oh Clarion’s not the kind of team they usually are. We’ve got a different opinion on that. Every day in practice, that’s our biggest motivation, ‘We’ve got something to prove.’ We’ve still got something to prove.”

(On Brockway’s play) “Heck of a team. Which is good. That’s what you want. You want to play teams that are good like that. They’re gonna push you, cause that’s how you get better. That was a good game to have. Lot of fun.”

(On reaching 1500 yards on the season) “Everybody in front of me; it’s not even just the line. Sometimes it could be Ryley McMaster faking one way, then we’ll hit me on the other way. That’s a big number, but there’s a lot of people that contribute to that. It’s not just me.”

(On Michael McCloskey’s fine play) “He had a great game tonight. Everybody played up. We were the underdog; everybody thought we were. And we knew coming in, we were going to show what it was all about. And I think we did.”

Lineman, Zack Bauer: (On the line’s push in the second half) “Like Colton said, we’ve been playing with a chip on our shoulder. Our line worked all off-season. We were in better shape… We were stronger…  We were pushing them off the ball and I think it resulted in the second half.”

(On Brockway) “They were definitely a great team. It was really good to play them, to get us ready for next week.”

Archer Mills: “It was terrible to see Spencer go down. He’s a great player. He helped me a lot all season. He showed me all my reads and everything. Without him showing me what to do, tonight, I probably wouldn’t have done as good.

“I had my line in front of me, full trust in them. My running backs, receivers; I trust in them one-hundred percent. I know they’re out there for me and they believe in me. So going out there, we practiced all week for this. I knew I could go out there and do good and win. Looking forward to next week, for Kane.”

(On Brockway) “They were a great team. They were hard hitters. I give them credit. They stayed the whole game. They didn’t quit after a little bit. They hit the whole game and they were great competitors.”

Coach Wiser: “This was a typical Brockway – Clarion game. Some good hitting, hard play. And that was pretty impressive with the sportsmanship and so forth.”

(On Archer’s play) “Our kids rallied behind Archer. Archer came in and showed a lot of poise, which we felt (he had) all year. He’s worked hard right behind Spence. Probably one of the tougher jobs, in terms of each week being ready. Something could happen. We’ve been pretty fortunate, most of the year that we haven’t had an injury to Spence. But Archer stepped in there and threw some timely passes. One interception definitely was mine; it was a missed call. I’m going to be honest with that.”

(On the fine play by the offensive line) “The offensive line just did a tremendous job, most of the time providing great protection, when we did throw the ball. But obviously, they knew we were going to run the ball. Especially, we got ahead there and just boom. When you get down there and you see our kids just lining up, we needed a yard, or two or three yards and we get that three and got in there and got that touchdown. Those to me were good statements.”

(On the victory) “I think that was the type of football we’ve played over the years. It was an exciting win. I don’t think many people gave us the tip of the hat, this week. I don’t look at that stuff in the paper to begin with, who’s predicting what. But I felt all week our kids (were motivated). The scout team did a great job of getting our starters ready.

“First of all it started with Spence telling our kids to rally behind Archer and Archer for getting up and saying, he wasn’t going to do the whole job himself; he was going to need them. And the kids were just like… Boom. They went about business. That’s what has been the right thing about this team, all year. They come out on Monday and ‘Hey it’s another week. We’re looking at a different game plan. Let’s move on.’

“So Monday, we’ll get ready for Kane.”

(On Colton) “He still has a chance to get 2000.”

(Thanks to Matt Buchanan for help with this article and to Forest Madison Mills and Kelsey Wolfe for their photos. LET’S GO CATS!!!!)