Central Clarion Wildcats Football Boosters Host 2022 Team Banquet
Above photo – some of the large crowd that gathered for the celebration
The Central Clarion Wildcats Boosters hosted the 2022 Team Banquet, at the Zion Church Social Hall in Reidsburg, on Sunday, December 12th.
An amazing display honoring this year’s seniors greeted the crowd as they came in the door to the lobby, complete with their jerseys, commemorative footballs, commemorative individual programs for each and more.
Also an upward glance revealed commemorative banners for the seniors displayed on the rail of the balcony.
Once in the hall, attendees were greeted with a highlight video on the big screen. It was a packed house of roughly 200-250 attendees on hand for the event honoring the Wildcats Varsity that won the program’s first ever District Nine League Region 2 and District Nine Class-AA Championships in 2022. The seventh and eighth grade Junior High team which went undefeated at 8-0 and the very successful Junior Varsity squad, who finished at 6-2 were also honored.
Booster Club President Stacy Wright welcomed everyone and gave a big thank you to past President Cory Rex who stepped down earlier this year. Then Coach Cam Kirkland led in the invocation and blessing of the delicious meal, which was catered by Mauthe’s Country Corner (Seven Hills Road, just off 322 east of Strattanville).
The program began after every one was served.
First up was the Wildcats’ Junior High.
Coach Jess Quinn began by introducing his assistant coaches: Randy Cathcart, Jared Beggs and Ben Smith. Coach Quinn mentioned a couple key things the staff brings to the team, their knowledge of the game and their rapport with the kids.
He then had all the Junior High players in attendance stand for a round of applause.
The Junior High award winners included: Alex Love – Defensive Back of the Year; Ethan Rex – Offensive MVP; Brendan Bracken – Defensive Lineman of the Year; Conner Eberhart – Offensive Lineman of the Year; and Dylan Smail – Special Teams Player of the Year.
Coach Quinn challenged his players and all the underclassmen to follow the example of hard work and determination etc. that this year’s seniors displayed throughout their careers.
Wildcats’ Varsity Head Coach Eggleton thanked the parents, Boosters, the community, the various Administrators and Athletic Directors involved with this co-op, which includes Clarion Area, North Clarion and Clarion-Limestone, Team Photographer Nate Girvan who was making his rounds throughout and Team Statistician Steve Smail and others.
Coach Eggleton introduced his staff: Equipment Managers – Kevin Fonzie Slike and Vance Slike, Defensive Coordinator, Secondary and Wide Receivers Coach Dave Louder, Offensive and Defensive Line Coach Doug Knepp, Quarterbacks Coach Mike Ferguson, Running Backs, Defensive Backs and Head Junior Varsity Coach Cam Kirkland and Offensive and Defensive Line Coach Mike Hindman.
Coach Kirkland introduced the players, all of whom lettered this season, by grade.
The Freshman include: Briggs Beckwith, Mason Burford, Charlie Hepful, Brady McKinley, Hunter Lechner, Brant Parker, Gabriel Anderson, Jacob Naser, Bryndan Carrier, Thalen Allison, Caleb Hunter, Brady Guth and Hayden Hindman.
The Sophomores include: Jase Ferguson, Noah Harrison, Jessie Siwiecki, Corbin Brown, Thomas Uckert, Chay Seales, Noah Preston Braylon Beckwith, Joshua Duncan, Matt, Alston, Jimmy Kerr, Gavin Hannold, Jacob Daugherty, Peyton Ward, Sebastian Burkhart and Kohen Kemmer.
The Juniors include: Kothan Smith, Noah Naser, Tommy Smith, Dawson Smail, Brady Quinn, Brendon Wright, Coleman Slater, Jake Smith, Owen Bauer, Colby Wright and Holden Sparks.
The Seniors include: Connor Kopnitsky, Ryan Hummell, Ashton Rex, John Burke, Tyler Klugh, Ethan Wenner and Dawson Hotchkiss.
The District Nine Football League Region 2 All-Conference players were introduced and given their certificates. They include: Ryan Hummell – Defensive MVP, Linebacker; Jase Ferguson – Offensive MVP, Quarterback; Ashton Rex – Wide Receiver/Slot Back, Cornerback, Return Specialist; Jimmy Kerr – Offensive Interior Line; Tommy Smith – Tight End; Coleman Slater – Defensive Line/Ends; Thomas Uckert – Place Kicker; Brady Quinn – Safety. And one other, Coach Eggleton – Coach of the Year.
The 2022 Team Awards were announced with the players, called to the front to receive their rewards. The Jim Williamson – Outstanding Freshman Award (named for longtime C-L and Clarion Area Coach Jim Williamson who passed away earlier this year) went to Hayden Hindman. Coach Eggleton had some fine comments about Coach Williamson who was a fine, fine gentleman, in introducing the Award.
The Gary “Ross” Lawrence – Outstanding Sophomore Award went to Jase Ferguson. The newly named Caleb Kifer – Outstanding Junior Award went to Brady Quinn. Coach Kifer, who also passed away this year, played at Clarion Area, coached at both Clarion-Limestone and Clarion Area and taught at C-L for a number of years. Coach Ferguson shared some great comments on Coach Kifer.
Again another fine, fine gentleman. I knew him since he was a kid.
Thomas Uckert received the Wildcats Special Teams Award. Jase Ferguson and Ashton Rex were co-recipients of the Offensive MVP Award. The Defensive MVP Award winner was Ryan Hummell, who also won the Larry Wiser Leadership Award. Coach Eggleton had some fine things to say about his predecessor before presenting that award. Sandwiched between Ryan’s Award presentations, was the Alex Arth “Hogmeister” – Lineman of the Year Award, which Coach Knepp presented to Coleman Slater.
Coach Eggleton then mentioned that the Wildcats would receive some special gifts, some of which were commemorative mugs made by Coach Eggleton’s father Dave and brother Shawn, District Nine Class-AA Championship hats (a gift from Dave and Shawn), Championship jackets provided by the Booster Club and Championship rings that were purchased through donations collected by Cory Rex, who did all the footwork.
Commemorative footballs were presented to seniors Ryan and Ashton, who along with Jase Ferguson, set many season and career records. The balls have lists of the many offensive records for Ashton and defensive records for Ryan. The records could stand for many years.
Jase will have to wait a couple years for his commemorative ball, as he is only a sophomore. But an interesting fact, every pass Jase throws from here on out will, in one category or more, set a Wildcats’ career record.
Stacy Wright and other Booster members presented gifts to the Junior High and Varsity Coaches. She then mentioned that the Boosters could use volunteers help with the Night At The Races Fundraiser and thanked all who help.
Fantastic Banquet For A Great Team After A Historic Season!!!! Congratulations to all involved!!!!
Let’s Go, Wildcats!!!!
(Thanks to Nate Girvan for his photos!!)