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Clarion Wildcats Ashton Rex, Coach Eggleton, Redbank Valley’s Aiden Ortz And Carsen Rupp Have Big Contributions For West Squad In PSFCA East/West All-Star

Photos by Cory Rex – Above: Ashton (3) on the play that got the West in position where could tie or win, with under a minute left in regulation

It was a big day for the Central Clarion Wildcats’ wide receiver Ashton Rex and Coach Dave Eggleton an Assistant Coach, and Redbank Valley’s kick returner Aiden Ortz and Carsen Rupp, who started on the offensive line and was the long snapper, as they all contributed to the West Squad’s performance in the 2023 Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) East/West 1A-3A All-Star Game at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Stadium, in Harrisburg, on Sunday, May 21st. Coach Eggleton was an assistant on the West Team, which fell by a close 41-34 score.

There are two East/West All-Star Games, with the 4A-6A game also played that day at the same venue. The East/West Games are the second most prestigious All-Star games in the Commonwealth, behind only the Big33, which currently features Pennsylvania against Maryland, will be played on Sunday, May 28th, Memorial Day weekend.

The East held a 7-0 lead after one quarter. Both teams scored two touchdowns in the second. The East outscored the West by just one point 14-13 in the second quarter, with the West failed to convert on a two-point conversion. The East now led 21-13 at the half.

A touchdown by the East was the only scoring in the third quarter, moving the East’s lead to 27-13.

The teams traded scores throughout the fourth quarter. A West sixteen yard scoring pass from Jeff Hoenstine to Grayden Lewis combined with Collin Yeatts’ kick brought the West to within one score at 27-20, with 11:55 left in the game.

With 10:03 left Nick Frame scored on a one yard run for the East. Ian Levering kicked the point after, giving the East a two score advantage 34-20.

But it was Aiden’s time to shine on the ensuing kickoff, as he electrified the crowd with a 94 yard touchdown run, down the right side of the field, bringing the West closer once again. With Yeatts’ kick the score was now 34-27, East, with 9:48 left. Aiden finished the game with 3 kickoff returns, 143 yards (47.7 yards per return) 1 touchdown (94 yards).

Frame scored again at 6:02, this time on a ten yard run and with Levering’s kick, the the East led 41-27.

Then it was Ashton’s time in the spotlight. He caught a clutch three yard touchdown pass, in the middle of the endzone, from a rolling Garrett Harrold, with 3:17 left. That touchdown along with Yeatts’ Point after, had the West withing one score at 41-34.

Coach Eggleton discussing strategy during a time out, Ashton (3)

Ashton again was instrumental, in setting the West up for a possible tying or winning score, with under a a half minute left in the game, but it just wasn’t meant to be. With the ball on the East fifteen, Hoenstine was pressured and had to scramble. He found Ashton at about the ten on the right side. Ashton cut inside and was brought down at the five. The ball was spiked to stop the clock. The next play resulted in an incomplete pass. The West had two more chances to score and both ended up right at the goal line, with both being ruled short.

Ashton had this to say, “The experience was great, was great to see the athletes do what they do best and watching through practice how good we can be and how we were able to come together as a team.

“It’s a privilege to be able to play for my high school coach and I was able to learn the playbook very easily and know what I’m doing and I was able to help the other players learn it too since I had prior knowledge of it. It was nice being able to play with Aiden and Carson, since they are some people I know around where I’m from.

“It’s always a good feeling being able to score a touchdown in a big game like that and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do so.

“I was glad my family was able to be there watching me do what I love to do.”

Coach Eggleton shared his thoughts on the whole experience and some fine words about Ashton, Aiden and Carsen. “The entire process has been a great experience! It was an honor to work with such a great coaching staff and players. To see these guys come together as a team in such a short time was special.

“I am proud of Ashton for making the team and representing Central Clarion. He has a big touchdown catch in the fourth quarter that got us within one score.

“It was also great coaching Aiden Ortz and Carsen Rupp. I actually taught them both in sixth grade. Aiden had a big kickoff return for TD and Carsen held his own against the best defensive lineman in the state. All three of these young men represented District 9 very well.

“I can’t express enough gratitude to the PSFCA for selecting me to coach in this game. It was an experience I won’t soon forget.”

Congratulations to Ashton, Aiden, Carsen and Coach Eggleton. You all represented The D-9 League, District Nine as a whole, and Western Pennsylvania very well!!!!

(Thanks to Cory Rex for the photos!! Much information used is from the Pennsylvania Football News broadcast and their article by Shane Lux. Thank you Billy Splain, Shane, and the broadcast crew!!)