Three Wildcats Selected To 38th Annual CPFCA Lezzer Lumber Classic

Thanks to the Wildcats for the photo (Karl Jacobson – Wildcats logo; Cam Kirkland-Kirkland Photography – player photos: CPFCA – Lezzer Lumber Logo)

Three Central Clarion Wildcats, Ashton Rex, Ryan Hummell and Ethan Wenner have been selected participate in the 38th Annual Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association (CPFCA) Lezzer Lumber Classic, which will be played at Tyrone’s Gray Veterans Memorial Field on Sunday, June 11th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.

The Lezzer Lumber Classic is one of the longest running and highly esteemed regional football all-star games in the state. The CPFCA selects players from member schools and programs in all classifications, 1A to 6A, from an extensive area, south of Altoona, north to Brockway, to Bald Eagle Area to the east, to Keystone and Union/A-C Valley to the west, to participate in the contest.

The trio will be members of the North Squad. Ashton is a 5′-11,” 160 pound wide receiver and defensive back. He will will jersey number 22. Ethan is a 5′-11,” 290 pound offensive and defensive lineman. He will wear jersey number 62. Ryan is a 6′-0,” 180 pound running back and linebacker. He will wear jersey number 11. Though Ryan will not be able to play, due to coming off surgery, he will suit up and be on the sidelines during the game and take part in other team activities.

In addition to the three Wildcats, fellow District Nine Football League member DuBois also has players set to participate on the North Team, including Austin Henery (running back, defensive lineman), Cam-Ron Hays (wide receiver, defensive back), Carson Dombroski (wide receiver, linebacker) and Dalton Yale (running back, linebacker).

Clearfield which is in District Nine, which plays in the Laurel Highlands Conference also has players on the North roster. They are Aiden Graffius (wide receiver, defensive back), Conner McCracken (offensive lineman, defensive lineman), Eric Myers (offensive lineman, defensive lineman), Isaac Samsel (offensive lineman, defensive end), Zachary Billotte (offensive lineman, defensive lineman) and Evan Davis (kicker).

Wildcats Head Coach Davey Eggleton said, “I am excited for these young men to have the opportunity to put the pads on and play another game. These young men contributed so much to the success of our program.

“I grateful that the CPFCA puts on this game to provide our athletes another opportunity to play and earn scholarships.

“Coach Wiser is playing an integral part in organizing the game this year, so that adds a neat aspect to the game as well.”

Coach Wiser, former Clarion Area and Central Clarion Head Coach, was named North Squad’s Recruiting Coordinator, with former Indian Valley Coach Tom Shearer being named the South’s Recruiting Coordinator.

They take over for the retired Jim Zauzig who oversaw both the North and South for years. Coach Wiser shared, “I don’t know how he did it all.”

Some of his background duties include, making sure all the paperwork is distributed to the nominees and returned in time, involvement in recruiting businesses and organizations to sponsor scholarships and game sponsors. Coach Wiser was very happy to procure an agreement with Del Grosso’s Park so the teams could be treated to an afternoon at the park, during the week.

On the football end: Coach Wiser, who has a wealth of experience with much involvement with area, regional and statewide all-star games over the years, helped to guide in the selection of players. A major aspect is to try to select the right number of players for various positions. For instance, a team probably would want only two quarterbacks, but a number of offensive and defensive linemen.

On the sidelines, he will strive to make sure the coaches get every player ample time on the field. He said he doesn’t feel it is right for a player to make an all-star game and not get good playing time. Another of Coach Wiser’s sideline duties is to make sure everybody follows the game rules (all-star rules vary from regular rules, and can be somewhat confusing).

He said his biggest goal in all of this is, “Keep it fun.” He wants every player from both teams to have an experience they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Coach Wiser said, “My personal goal in this is for the kids to have a great experience.”

The Lezzer Lumber Classic Game Coordinator is CPFCA Secretary/Treasurer Rob Irwin who has coordinated the game for years. He is also the one responsible for putting together the great game programs, which I’m sure are coveted keepsakes for the players from over the years.

Coach Shearer conducted the combine on Tuesday (May 23rd). The combine typically attracts anywhere from 300 to 500 freshman, sophomores and juniors who work on various skills (timed 40 yard dash, shuttle run, etc.) and then do position specific drills, all under the watchful eyes of roughly 35 to 50 Division II and Division III coaches.

Irwin records the results, which are made available to the coaches.

Coach Wiser shared his absolute respect for Irwin, Shearer, Zauzig and his Bald Eagle High School Coach, the late Gawen Stoker, who was the catalyst in getting the game started and kept up his involvement with the game for the rest of his life.

Coach Wiser said that the goal is to keep the Lezzer Lumber Classic going and growing for years to come.

Curwensville’s Jimmy Thompson will be the Head Coach for the North Squad. His staff includes Assistant Coaches Justin Marshall, Curwensville; Luke Grata, Curwensville; Myles Caregin, Clearfield; Eric Scaife, Clearfield; Rob Lazaskaus, Clearfield; Jeff Vroman, Philipsburg-Osceola; Chris Davidson, Moshannon-Valley; and Trainer Ryan Thomas.

The South’s Head Coach is South Huntington’s Aaron Batzel. His staff is made up of Assistant Coaches; Jacob Dasher, South Huntingdon; Josh Berrier, South Huntingdon; Rob Grajeda, South Huntingdon; Mike Hoffman, South Huntingdon; Bill Musser, Juniata Valley; Dave Roland, Juniata Valley; Honorary Coach Jeff Batzel, Norther Bedford; and Trainer Greg Shedd.

The Game Physician is Dr. Lino Ruggeri, DO University Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in State College.

(Congratulations to Ashton, Ethan, Ryan, and all those selected to the 2023 Lezzer Lumber Classic!!!! Have Fun!!!!)