Clarion Area Football Boosters Host Annual Team Banquet (11/24/16)

The Clarion Area Football Boosters hosted the 2016 Team Banquet, on Sunday, November 20th, at the Clarion’s Craig E. Fleming American Legion Post #066, on Main Street.

2016 Clarion Area Bobcat Football Team

Booster President, Christine Hearst began the festivities with opening remarks and leading in the Pledge of Allegiance, then David Hartley gave the invocation.

Christine then gave special thanks to Fred and Kim Cherico, their family and others who worked very hard to provide the evening’s meal, school superintendent Michael Stahlman, football managers and training staff and various volunteers for their service to the team. She also asked for volunteers to help with various fundraisers and team events.

She then presented Tracy Rapp, whom she named M.V.P. (Most Valuable Parent), for her many efforts on behalf of the team, with a bouquet of flowers. And just before the meal, Christine congratulated Bobcat head coach Larry Wiser, on recording his 200th career win and thanking coach Wiser and assistants Lee Weber, Nate McClaine, Scott (Scooter) Miller and Tim Amorosa for their efforts this past season.

Bobcat All-Conference Players (L-R) Spencer Miller, Zak Bauer, Colton Rapp, Thomas Wurster and Ty Burford flanked by Athletic Director Nancy Mills and Coach Wiser

The program was put on pause, while those in attendance enjoyed the wonderful meal.

Then coach Wiser thanked the Boosters, Community, team and support staff, followed by Co-Captains Michael McCloskey, Kyle Patterson and Colton Rapp joining in thanking various individuals who made the season a success.

Next the Co-Captains were presented with plaques.

Then several team members who achieved milestones, this season were recognized. Among them were coach Wiser for his 200th win and again for win 205, which moved him to second on the District Nine All-Time Coaching victories list; Ty Burford for tying Cody Hearst’s team record 12 touchdown passes, and having the third best all time season total for receiving yards (611); Colton Rapp, whose 1,651 rushing yards are the most ever by a junior and fifth most overall in school history, also his current 2,940 career yards are fifth all-time; Spencer Miller whose 19 touchdown passes are third most for a season, in team history and his 1,035 yards are fifth most in a single season.

Bobcat Team Award Winners with Coaches

Special mention was also given to Colt Stimmell and Thomas Wurster for their fine play as defensive ends. Colt had 83 tackles, 12 for loss and Wurster had 71 tackles, 16 for loss.

Mention was also made of the Bobcats doing 22kill pushups (to raise awareness to the suicide epidemic among veterans) after the game along with the opposing team. The veterans in attendance at the banquet were given a standing ovation.

Athletic Director Nancy Mills expressed how proud she was of the team. Then she and coach Wiser handed out the K.S.A.C. Large School All-Conference plaques and certificates to Colton Rapp (Offensive MVP, Running Back and Linebacker), Ty Burford (Wide Receiver and Cornerback), Zak Bauer (Offensive Line), Thomas Wurster (Tight End and Defensive End) and Spencer Miller (Honorable Mention).

Next, the coaches presented the Team Awards:

Coach Miller presented the Jerry “Joe” Staley – Outstanding Senior Award to Ty Burford and the Special Teams Award to Sterling Conner.

Bobcat Seniors with jerseys and photo awards

Coach Weber presented the Defensive MVP Award to Thomas Wurster and the Brad Leonard/Pizza Hut – Outstanding Junior Award to Colton Rapp.

After thanking the Clarion Borough Police Department for the escort out of town for the District Championship Game and to Ryan Wiser for his pep talks, Coach McClaine presented the two Gary Ross Lawrence – Outstanding Sophomore Awards to Archer Mills (Clarion Area) and Sam Minich (North Clarion) and the Alex Arth “Hogmeister” – Outstanding Lineman Award to Zak Bauer.

Coach Amoroso presented the Offensive MVP Award to Colton Rapp.

Coach Wiser announced the Central Pennsylvania Chapter – National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame recipient, Ty Burford. The Award will be presented at the Annual Banquet at Penn State, in March. Coach Wiser then presented the Larry Wiser Leadership Award to Kyle Patterson.

The whole team was then introduced. Then Santa (Coach Wiser) and his elf assistant (Kevin “Fonzie” Slike) handed out various “gifts.” Coach Wiser then gave some closing remarks followed by the Co-Captains presenting gifts to the coaches.

Christine Hearst and Tracy Rapp then handed out gifts to volunteers etc. Christine gave special mention to Kenn Staub who maintains the Football Boosters’ Facebook page and to ball boys Trevor Finefrock and Luca Cherico.

The evening concluded with the outgoing senior players being presented with their jerseys and photo awards by Vinyl Graphics and the players signing a congratulatory photo for coach Wiser.

(Great job to all involved with this year’s banquet and CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT SEASON, BOBCATS!!!!)