KSAC Squad Wins Fourth Annual Frank Varischetti All-Star Game (07/01/19)
(Photo by Forest Madison Mills) Clarion and Clarion-Limestone players and coaches gathered after the game Front Row (L-R): Kevin (Fonzie) Slike, Logan Minich, Nick Porciello, Camden Boggess, David Wiles. Middle Row (L-R): Clarion Area Coach Larry Wiser, Ayden Wiles, Logan Minich, Archer Mills, Matt Coleman, Ryan Wiser, KSAC Head Coach Davey Eggleton, Assistant Coach Todd Mathews. Back Row (L-R): Jim Gunning, Drew Beichner, Assistant Coach Doug Knepp and Assistant Coach Dave Louder.
The Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) Squad defeated the Allegheny Mountain League (AML) the Fourth Annual Frank Varischetti All-Star Football Game 20-7, on Friday (June 29th), thanks to some great offensive fireworks and a stifling defense. This was the first win for the KSAC. Though the two conferences merged to form the District 9 League, beginning with the 2018 season, the game continues to have the teams set up according to the the KSAC-AML format.
Varischetti All-Star Game manager Nick Hoffman and the rest of the staff once again did a great job. This was never more evident than when they held a moment of silence before the game, in honor of Curwensville Coach Andy Evanko, who recently lost his battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and then having his wife, Tina doing the coin-toss.
The KSAC took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards for the first touchdown, with Clarion Bobcat Logan Minich following a great line surge, up the middle, from the two. Fellow Bobcat Archer Mills tacked on the extra point giving the KSAC a 7-0 lead.
After holding the AML on downs, the KSAC marched down the field again, for another score, with Brookville’s Bryan Dworek taking a short pass from Punxsutawney’s Dylan Ishman, making several outstanding moves and outrunning everyone to the end zone. Mills tacked on the extra point and the KSAC led 14-0. Dworek, who had five catches, in the game, including a spectacular one handed catch earlier in the drive, was named the KSAC Offensive Player of the Game
With just fifty-six seconds left in the half, Ishman hit Clarion’s Sam Minich, in the left side of the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown, giving the KSAC a 20-0 lead heading in at halftime. Sam Minich also had a fine game defensively and was named KSAC Defensive Player of the Game.
Both defenses did a fine job in the second half, as neither offense was able to cross the goal line. The only score of the half came on a 45 yard interception return Brockway’s Garrett McClintick, the AML Defensive Player of the Game, with under a minute left in the third quarter. Brockway’s Zane Puhala kicked the extra point, to set 20-7 final. Quarterback Pete Downer from Brockway was the AML Offensive Player of the Game.
A number of players received $1000 Scholarships from various sponsors.
The KSAC players to receive the awards were: Archer Mills, Logan Minich and Sam Minich from Clarion; Aiden Wiles from Clarion-Limestone; Bryan Dworek from Brookville; Bradon Bastian and Stephen Covington from Karns City; and Bobby Matthews from Moniteau.
AML players to receive awards were: Avery Francisco from Curwensville; Chris Connelly from Otto-Eldred; Donny Pattison from Bradford; Leyton Mangiantini and Zane Puhala from Brockway; and Parker Rohr, Cole Secco and Daunte Allegretto from Ridgway.
The KSAC was headed by Coach Davey Eggleton, who was Clarion-Limestone’s head coach and is now a Clarion Area assistant, with the co-op with Clarion, North Clarion and Clarion-Limestone. He had a number of his Lions players and assistant coaches in the game.
Asked about how it felt to win for the KSAC for the first time he said, “It feels great. We had a great group of kids. They worked really hard, this week. I had a great staff too. They did a great job of getting ready. So I give all the credit to the kids and my coaching staff.”
I asked if there was a player to single out who impressed him, Coach Eggleton said, “That Dworek kid did pretty good. He looked great.He had a great game on offense. He makes it look easy out there.” Then he added I think our whole defense was just swarming to the ball. We were getting after the quarterback. Just a great team effort on defense.”
He also mentioned, “I enjoyed working with this group of kids. They are great kids on and off the field. It was just a pleasure to work with them this year.”
Sam Minich, KSAC Defensive Player of the Game shared, “It was great to get to know all the guys that I met this week. We just had a really good time out here tonight. And we’re thankful we got the (win).”
Bryan Dworek, KSAC Offensive Player of the Game said, “It was fun. All week of practice, it was fun. We had great teammates obviously; a great coaching staff. Dylan Ishman is a heck of a quarterback. And we connected on a lot. It was fun.”
A number of Clarion Bobcat and C-L players not mentioned such as defensive players and offensive linemen, along with the whole KSAC Team, did a great job!!!!
(CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!!)