Wildcats Down Beavers On Clarion Area Homecoming Night To Clinch District Nine League – Region 1 Title

Above: Team set to enter the field for Clarion Area Homecoming Game

The Central Clarion Wildcats defeated the visiting DuBois Beavers 79-0, on Clarion Area Homecoming Night at Wiser Field on Friday (October 13th).

With the win, the 8-0 (6-0 Region) Wildcats secured their second straight District Nine League – Region 1 Championship.

Central was solid in every aspect of the game, offense, defense, special teams.

The game was all Wildcats from the start as they scored twenty-eight unanswered points in the first quarter.

The first score came on a Jase Ferguson pass to Dawson Smail, who was wide open, behind the defense in the middle of the field, for a 35 yard touchdown. Thomas Uckert kicked the extra point, giving Central a 7-0 lead. The next touchdown was set up with Tommy Smith intercepting a DuBois pass and returning it to the Beavers’ thirty-seven. One play later, Noah ran the ball up the middle, through a big hole provided by the line, for a score. With Uckhart’s PAT, the score sat at 14-0, at 4:58.

Shortly after Matt Alston set the Wildcats up with an interception down the right side, the Wildcats scored again. Ferguson hit Smail, from 21 yards out, down the middle near the goal line. Smail leaped and caught the ball midway to doing a complete aerial 360, one of the best receptions I’ve ever seen. With the point-after the score was 21-0, with 4:30 on the clock.

Ferguson had an interception to set Central up at midfield with 2:51 left in the quarter. Several plays later, Ferguson found Mason Burford, who beat the defender, on the right side of the endzone from 9 yards out, with thirty-four seconds left. Uckert was true on his kick again, for the 28-0 lead.

Another Ferguson to Smail hookup over the middle resulted in a 40 yard touchdown, at 10:55 of the second and with the point-after it was 35-0.

Ferguson, who had a big night on both sides of the ball, got his second interception, setting the Wildcats up at the DuBois forty-eight. Several plays later, he scored on an 8 yard keeper up the middle and with the extra-point the score was 42-0, with 5:19 left in the half.

The halftime score was set at 49-0, at 1:41, on a five yard touchdown run through the middle by Noah Naser and Uckert’s kick.

Homecoming Ceremonies took place at halftime – with the crowning of the 2023 Clarion Area Queen and King, Gia Babington and Brady Quinn.

Central Clarion scored twice in the third quarter. The first came when Ferguson hit Smail over the middle from 35 yards out, at 10:33. The second score came with Ethan Rex taking it in from seven yards out. Uckert was good on both PATs, the second from a bit further back after a penalty. The score was now 63-0.

Charlie Hepfl had the Wildcats last touchdown, a four yard run at 4:44. Uckert was good on the kick and the final was set.

Wildcats Coach Davey Eggleton had this to say, “I thought this was our best effort yet. I am happy with the intensity and focus we cam out with on both sides of the ball.

“Jase and Dawson and a real connection tonight. The defense swarmed to the football and shut down a pretty strong running game. I thought we played in their backfield all night which caused multiple turnovers.

“The Offensive line controlled the game for us giving Jase great time and opening huge running holes.”

The Wildcats will host the St. Marys Dutchmen next Friday (October, 20th), on Senior Night at the Clarion-Limestone Field.

(Let’s Go Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Stephanie Brinkley for her photo!!)