Wildcats Down Beavers For Big Senior Night Win

(Above – CSZ image: Wildcats’ Seniors and parents honored in Senior Night pregame ceremony)

The Central Clarion Wildcats celebrated Senior Night at Clarion-Limestone Stadium on Friday (October 22nd), with a 21-10 victory over the DuBois Area Beavers. The win was the fourth straight for the Wildcats.

Neither team was able to put points on the board, in the first quarter.

But the Wildcats’ recovered a fumble at the DuBois twenty-one, with 2:05 left in the quarter. The possession carried over into the second quarter and on a third down at the twenty, quarterback Jase Ferguson hit Christion Simko in the left front of the end zone. With Charlie Franchino’s point after, the Wildcats led 7-0 six seconds into the stanza.

Austin Henry had a 32 yard touchdown run for the Beavers, with 3:31 left in the second and with Charlie Harman’s extra-point the score was tied at 7-all. Harman tacked on a 26 yard field goal with under a minute to play in the half, giving DuBois a 10-7 lead.

But the Beavers’ lead didn’t last long. Clarion set up shop at their own thirty-three and Ferguson took the ball through a seam, for 41 yards, to the DuBois twenty-one. Ferguson then hit Breckin Rex for a twenty-one yard touchdown pass, with Rex running past one defender and sidestepping another, with twelve seconds left in the half. Francino’s point after closed out the first half scoring and the Wildcats led 14-6.

There was no scoring in the third and the Wildcats carried the slim 14-10 lead into the fourth.

Central’s final scoring drive featured a Ferguson to Ashton Rex pass for 20 yards, to the Wildcats’ forty. After a run for no gain. Ferguson hit Simko down the right side for a 34 yard gain to the Beavers’ twenty-six. Simko used his height to outstretch two DuBois defenders on the reception. Ferguson hit Simko down the middle several plays later, for a 29 yard touchdown and with Francino’s kick, Central led 21-10 with 9:10 left in the game.

The teams traded several possessions and then things got interesting. After receiving a punt, the Beavers were pinned at their own three, with 4:23 left. They were able to move the ball down the field and had a first and goal from the five. But the Wildcats defense came on strong, stopping the Beavers on four consecutive runs, the final three from the one yard line.

Coach Dave Eggleton had this to say after the game, “Our defense really came out big tonight. They played tough all night. Offensively, we had a couple fumbles that kept us from taking the lead that I thought could’ve had in the first half. But the defense just kept stepping up over and over again, and getting us the ball back.

“And that stop at the end. My goodness, down at the goal line. We stopped them four times inside the five yard line. Can’t say how proud I am of those guys up front. We had that time out and I said, ‘This is all about pride now. You’re not going to let them score. We’re going to end this right now. And they went out there and puffed their chests up and manned up and stopped them.

“Just amazing, just a great effort from everyone to night, the whole team. I thought everyone played well tonight.”

Ferguson completed 14 of 20 for 219 yards and the two touchdown, and carried 9 times for 48 yards. Simko had 7 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Breckin Rex had 15 carries for 63 yards, and caught 3 passes for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Ryan Hummell had 16 tackles, including a sack and an interception. Kaoz Baker finished with 14 tackles,1 for loss and caused two fumbles. Dawson Hotchkiss had 11 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble. Ian Hagan had 8 tackles, 3 for loss, including a sack and four hurries. Ashton Rex and Brady Quinn each had interceptions.

The Wildcats travel to Clearfield this Friday (October 29th).

(Thanks to Nate Girvan for his pics. Great Game, Wildcats!!!!)