Wildcats Football Boosters Honor Players, Parents, Coaches And Staff At Team Banquet
(Unless noted, photos courtesy of Central Clarion Wildcat Boosters) Above: Members of the PFN All-Academic Team
The Central Clarion Wildcats Football Boosters honored the players and their parents, and coaches and staff, with the Team Banquet (the first in program history), at Zion Baptist Church, on Sunday, April 18th.
The Banquet began with Booster President Cory Rex welcoming those in attendance and Coach Camron Kirkland leading in a prayer of invocation and the blessing on the meal, which was then enjoyed by all.
The program began with Coach Larry Wiser and longtime equipment manager Kevin “Fonzie” Slike introducing the Team Captains: Ethan Burford, Cutter Boggess, Jordan McCord-Wolbert and Cal German.
Coach Wiser followed by introduced the Wildcats Staff.
Coach Kirkland then distributed pins and letters to those players who earned them, this past season.
Coach Dave Eggleton followed introducing the players who made the Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic Team (above photo), and then introduced the Wildcats players who earned spots on the District Nine League All-Large School Team, Cal German, Ethan Burford, Cutter Boggess and Beau Verdill, Hunter Craddock and Cooper Shall. Coach Eggleton then introduced the players who were named to the Pennsylvania Football News All-State Team, German, Burford, Boggess and Beau Verdill.
Next to be recognized were the players who were named to the various All-Star Games, which include: Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) East/West Game, Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association (CPFCA) Lezzer Lumber Classic, and the Frank Varischetti All-Star Game, featuring District Nine League players.
Click on the links below this article for links to articles on the PFN All-Academic and All-Star Game selectees.
Then it was time to recognize the players earning team awards.
Coach Doug Knepp presented the Jerry “Joe” Staley Memorial – Outstanding Senior Award to Cutter Boggess.
Coach Dave Louder presented the Brad Leonard – Outstandin Junior Award to Cooper Shall.
Coach Kirkland presented Ryan Hummell with the Gary Ross Lawrence – Outstanding Sophomore Award to Ryan Hummell.
Ethan Burford was presented with the Offensive MVP Award by Coach Eggleton.
Coach Louder presented the Defensive MVP Award to Kaoz Baker, who was not in attendance.
The Special Teams MVP Award, presented by Coach Kirkland, went to Beau Verdill.
Coach Kirkland with Beau Verdill
Coach Knepp presented the Alex Arth “Hogmeister” Outstanding Lineman Award to Logan Lerch. The Award takes on special significance with Coach Arth’s passing on Monday.
Yours Truly had the pleasure of presenting quarterback Cal German and receiver Ethan Burford with plaques recognizing the number of Clarion Area High School career passing and receiving records the duo accumulated.
The Larry Wiser Leadership Award went to Cal German and was presented by Coach Wiser.
Jordan McCord-Wolbert was presented with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Award.
This prestigious award was passed along by Coach Wiser. Normally the NFF Awards are presented to one playe from each chapter schoolat a big banquet at the Penn Stater in State College, recognizing them for athletics, accademics and community service. With Covid19 restrictions the banquet was canceled. Jordan also earned one of the special one-thousand dollar scholarships. This will be given to Jordan at a later date.
After the awards, the senior players presented the Coaches with gifts and the senior players and parents received the players’ jerseys.
The program concluded with Coach Wiser, who retired after last season, leading the team in one last breakdown,.
“Who are we?”
“Wildcats!”
“Who’s better?”
No One!”
“Do you believe it?”
“Yes sir!”
(Congratulations Bobcats and Great Banquet, Boosters!!!!)