Nine Bobcats Named To 2019 Tri-County Sunday/Courier Express Football All-Star Team (12/24/19)

The Tri-County Sunday and Courier Express newspapers from DuBois have named their 2019 Football All-Stars, with nine Clarion Area Bobcats being selected.

The Bobcats had five First Team selections, three Second Team selections and one Honorable Mention, on the squad that includes players from Clarion, Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, Curwensville, DuBois, Elk County Catholic, Redbank Valley, Ridgway and St. Marys.

Senior running back Austin Newcomb, senior lineman Ben Smith and junior wide receiver Ethan Burford were named to the First Team on Offense, for the Bobcats.

Austin had 119 carries for a TCS/CE area leading 1,276 yards (10.7 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns, all TCS/CE area leading totals. He caught 12 passes for 331 yards (27.6 yards per catch) and five touchdowns.

Austin also returned an interception for a touchdown. Austin also scored 4 two-point conversions and had an interception return for a touchdown. His 28 touchdowns, 4 two-point conversions and 176 total points also led the TCS/CE area.

Austin set the District Nine single season rushing mark, as a junior, 2,627 yards for Clarion-Limestone.

Ben led an offensive line that was a major factor in the Cats which led the TCS/CE area with 246.3 rushing yards per game, 443.3 total yards per game and scoring at 43.1 points per game.

Ethan hauled in 39 passes for 1,179 yards (30.2 yards per catch) and 17 touchdowns. The seventeen touchdowns is a Clarion Area single season record and the 1,179 receiving yards led the TCS/CE area.

A pair of Clarion players made the First Team on Defense, senior lineman Mitch Knepp and junior linebacker Cutter Boggess.

Mitch had 57 tackles (13.5 tackles for loss), including 5.5 sacks.

Cutter led the Bobcats with 84 tackles (8 tackles for loss), including 3.5 sacks. He caused a fumble and defended five passes.

A trio of juniors made the Second Team. Quarterback Cal German and placekicker Beau Verdill were named to the Offense, with Hunter Craddock, being named to the Defense as a lineman.

Cal completed 98-of-176 passes for 2349 yards and 32 touchdowns, while throwing only eight interceptions. The 2349 passing yards is the Bobcat single season record.

Beau connected on 49-of-56 extra point attempts and hit a 31 yard field goal, accounting for fifty-two points. Three of his kickoffs went for touchdowns, while many others hit inside the opponent’s twenty yard line.

Hunter had 65 tackles (17 tackles for loss), 8 sacks, a fumble recovery and one fumble caused. The 17 tackles for loss and sacks were both team highs.

Senior Colton Zacherl was given an Honorable Mention nod at both running back and linebacker.

On offense, Colton had 65 carries for 552 yards (8.5 yards per carry) and 5 touchdowns and 1 reception for five yards. He also had 204 kick return yards.

Defensively, Colton had 56 tackles (56 for loss), including 2 sacks, 1 fumble caused and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Ridgway had the two top award winners, with Jake Wickett being named Player of the Year an Mark Heindl selected Coach of the Year.

The article on the First Team, Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, as well as a complete listing of Player of the Year and Coach of the Year winners, as well as, listings of this year’s statistical leaders, appeared in the Tri-County Sunday on December 22nd. The complete list of players from First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention will appear in the Tri-County Sunday’s December 29th edition.

(Congratulations to Austin, Ben, Mitch, Ethan, Cutter, Cal, Beau, Hunter, Colton and all of the 2019 Tri-County Sunday/Courier Express Football All-Stars!!!!)