Clarion Area Bobcat Football Preview And Schedule (08/13/19)
(Above photo courtesy of Smith Photography) 2019 Clarion Bobcats Football Team
The Clarion Area Bobcats are set to open 2019 with a major change to the program, as Clarion-Limestone is joining the co-op with Clarion Area and North Clarion.
The Bobcats had a 6-5 record last season, while the Lions were 9-3 in 2018. Coach Larry Wiser will be entering his thirty-second season as the Bobcats’ mentor. Coach Dave Eggleton, who was the Lions’ head coach for the past six seasons will serve as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
Camron Kirkland will be the assistant offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Doug Knepp will handle the offensive and defensive lines. Dave Louder will coach the defensive backs and receivers. Lee Weber will be the assistant defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.
Both Clarion and Clarion-Limestone have lost some key players. The Bobcats lost Archer Mills, Sam Minich, Logan Minich, Camden Boggess, Nick Porciello and Bowman Hartley.
Those players received mention on All-Conference teams and college recruiting.
Coach Wiser said he will miss all of the Bobcat graduated seniors,though, which also includes: Andrew Guth, Tanner Oberlander, Curtis Shipley, Tyler Wolbert-McCord, and Drew Whren
Key players who graduated from Clarion–Limestone are Ayden Wiles, Justin Goodman, Matt Coleman, Jimmy Gunning, Drew Beichner, Colby Himes, David Wiles, Ian Callen, Trenton Keighley
Coach Wiser said his goal for the team is the same as it is every year, “play one game at a time.”
He wants the team to “(be) prepared, not looking ahead,” to have a “positive TEAM chemistry and treat the season as journey,” He says these “are all ingredients that will make this season memorable.”
With the three schools combined, there are many returning starters. On the offensive side, these starters return: linemen Gabe Coull, Luca Cherico, Ben Smith, Mitch Knepp, Tyler Schmader; running backs: Austin Newcomb, Kyle Bottaro, Cutter Boggess; and receivers: Ethan Burford, Colton Zacherl, Tim Burchwell.
Returners on defense include: linemen Tyler Schmader, Hunter Craddock; linebackers Mitch Knepp, Ben Smith, Kyle Bottaro; and defensive backs Jason Ganoe, Cutter Boggess, Austin Newcomb, Colton Zocherl, Tim Burchwell
As for who Coach Wiser sees as his key players, he said, “Football is a team sport and we will see who emerges throughout the season.”
2019 Clarion Area Bobcats Varsity Football Schedule
Saturday, August 17 – Marion Center (Scrimmage) – Away – 10:00 AM
Friday, August 23 – Punxsutawney* – Away – 7:00 PM
Friday, August 30 – Moniteau* – Home – 7:00PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Friday, September 6 – Karns City* – Home – 7:00PM (At Memorial Stadium)
Friday, September 13 – Brookville* – Away – 7:00PM
Friday, September 20 – Saint Marys * – Home – 7:00PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS) – Clarion-Limestone Homecoming
Friday, September 27 – Kane* – Away – 7:00PM
Friday, October 4 – Ridgway – Away – 7:00PM
Friday, October 11 – Bradford* – Home – 7:00PM (At Memorial Stadium) – Clarion Area Homecoming
Friday, October 18 – Brockway* – Away – 7:30PM
Friday, October 25 – James Buchanan – Home – 7:00PM (At Memorial Stadium) – Senior Night
(*= District Nine League, Large School Division Game)
2019 Clarion Area Bobcats Junior Varsity Football Schedule
Monday, August 26 – Punxsutawney – Away – 6:00PM
Monday, September 9 – Karns City – Away – 6:30PM
Monday, September 16 – Brookville – Home 6:30PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Monday, September 23 – Ridgway – Away – 6:00PM
Monday, September 30 – DuBois – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion Area HS)
Monday, October 7 – Moniteau – Away – 6:00PM
Monday, October 14 – Redbank Valley – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Monday, October 21, Karns City – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion Area HS)
2019 Clarion Area Bobcats Junior High Football Schedule
7th and 8th Grade
Thursday, August 22 – Oil City (Scrimmage) – Away – 4:00PM
Wednesday, September 4 – Punxsutawney – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Thursday, September 12 – Brookville – Home – 5:00PM (At Clarion Area HS)
Tuesday, October 1 – Curwensville – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Thursday, October 10 – Redbank Valley – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion Area HS)
Thursday, October 17 – Karns City – Away – 5:00PM
Wednesday, October 23 – Greenville – Away 5:00PM
KSAC League
7th, 8th and 9th Grade
Saturday, August 24 – Moniteau (Scrimmage) – Home – Noon (At North Clarion HS)
Wednesday, September 18 – Keystone – Away – 5:00PM
Thursday, October 3 – Moniteau – Away – 6:00PM
Thursday, October 24 – Union – Away – 6:00PM
9th Grade
Thursday, September 5 – DuBois – Away – 6:00PM
Thursday, September 12 – Brookville – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion Area HS)
Thursday, September 26 – DuBois – Home – 6:30PM (At Clarion-Limestone HS)
Thursday, October 17 – Karns City – Away – 6:30PM