Wildcats Down Wolves For Clarion Area Homecoming Game Victory
(Above Image by Nate Girvan) Ryan Hummell carrying the ball
The Central Clarion Wildcats hosted the Kane Wolves at Memorial Stadium on Friday (October 1st) and came away with a 34-26 Clarion Area Homecoming victory, their first of the season.
In addition to being Homecoming, it was a special night, as there was a pregame Tribute to longtime Clarion Bobcat line coach Alex Arth, who passed away earlier this year, just after the Clarion Area Alma Mater and prior to the National Anthem. (Find a link to an article on the Tribute to Coach Arth below this article.)
The Wildcats, who never trailed in the game, opened the scoring at 9:45 of the first quarter with quarterback Jase Ferguson taking a keeper in from fifteen yards out. And with Charlie Franchino’s successful kick for the point after, Central led 7-0.
The Wildcats lead would increase to 13-0, with Breckin Rex intercepting a pass and running it in from thirty-five yards, with 3:50 left in the quarter.
Kane narrowed Central’s lead to 13-6, on a five yard touchdown by Addison Plants at 11:11 of the second quarter. Christian Simko, who had a big game from his wide receiver spot, caught a Ferguson pass over the middle, made a couple of moves, and used a good stiff arm, on his way to a forty-five yard touchdown at 9:45 of the second. Franchino’s PAT was good and the Wildcats led 20-6.
But just under a minute later, at 8:52, Kane scored again on a thirty yard hookup from quarterback Harley Morris to Sam Lundeen. The two-point conversion was good and Clarion’s lead was now 20-14. Kane looked like they might score again, before the half, but Ryan Hummell intercepted a Wolves’ pass in the endzone, with six seconds left.
The Homecoming Ceremony was held at Halftime, with Jordan Best and Aidan Quinn being crowned as 2021 Clarion Area Queen and King.
Central received the second half kickoff and it didn’t take long for them to score, moving their lead to thirteen, with 10:23 on the third quarter clock. Ashton Rex caught a pass down the left side from Ferguson at the Kane ten yard line and ran it in from there, for a forty-two yard score. Franchino was good again and the Wildcats were now on top 27-14.
The Wolves’ struck back with Plants carrying the ball in from three yards out with 3:53 left in the third, closing the gap to 27-20.
Simko intercepted a pass in the endzone at 11:16 in the fourth. On the Wildcats’ possession, Ferguson hit Simko on the right side of the field, and in a display of strength and determination, Simko tugged and tugged to get out of the grasp of a Kane defender, pulling him about five yards, breaking away, cutting to the middle of the field through other defenders for a seventy-three yard touchdown. Highlight reel material for sure. The point after was good and Central led 34-20 with around 9:20 on the clock.
Kane would close the scoring with a four yard touchdown run by Ricky Zampogna, setting the 34-26 final.
Ferguson had 241 yards passing, on 10 of 19, with 3 touchdowns and an interception,. He also carried the ball three times for thirteen yards and the score. Simko had 5 catches for 160 yards and the two touchdowns.
Ashton Rex had 2 catches for 61 yards and the touchdown and carried twice for 34 yards. Breckin Rex carried the ball 14 times for 49 yards and the touchdown, and had 2 catches for 15 yards. Ryan Hummell carried the ball 9 times for 30 yards and 1 catch for 5 yards. Franchino had 4 PATs.
Wildcats Coach Dave Eggleton had this to say about Ferguson and Simko’s being in sync in the passing game. “Jase and Christian are really developing a good relationship. He trusts him, one-on-one coverage. That’s where we want to go. That’s what we’ve been telling him all year and the last few weeks, Christian has been winning those battles.”
Kaoz Baker returned and had a big night on defense, with several tackles for loss. Coach Eggleton mentioned, “We’ve really missed him the last two weeks. It was good to get him back this week. He’s a difference maker on that interior, no doubt.”
After getting their first win under their belt, Coach Eggleton is looking for more as the season moves on. “I just think our team effort, the last two weeks, has really just been there. That’s been the difference. And we’re going to continue building on that and hopefully we get this ball rolling down hill and gain some momentum. I’m excited for what we have ahead of us.”
The Wildcats will host Ridgway/Johnsonburg on Friday (October 8th) at Memorial Stadium.
(Thanks to Nate Girvan and Maria Wilson for sharing their images. Congratulations, Wildcats and Jordan and Aidan!!!!)