Clarion Area Bobcat Baseball Boosters Honor Team With Celebration Of 2023 PIAA Class-A State Championship

Above photo by Jamie Smail – Bobcats with team photo and banner

The Clarion Area Baseball Boosters honored the 2023 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class-A State Champion Bobcats, on Wednesday evening, November 8th.

The evening began in the auditorium and started with assistant coach Lee Weber handing out popcorn and Cracker Jacks to munch on during the playing of a Championship Game highlight video. The program and video were a half-hour, or so, late in getting started.

Technical malfunction? Nope, not when Jim Smyton is the I.T. Coordinator.

In an absolute demonstration of “Class” and brotherhood, that has been a hallmark of this team all season long and beyond, the players requested (or is it refused?) to get the show on the road, until a very important member of the team could be present.

The only 2023 graduate on the squad was starting outfielder Gary Matus, now a member of “The Legend,” Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) famous Marching Band. Gary had commitments at IUP he had to finish before he could make the long trip to Clarion. “OK, Gary’s here, now we can begin.”

Dr. Joe Carrico opened by thanking folks for coming out and congratulating the team on their hard work in making this historic campaign successful.

After the video, Bobcat head coach Rob Jewett introduced the players and other coaches, saying some fine words about each and interspersing various important stats and highlights for players and coaches, as he and coach Weber presented special commemorative bats to the members of the team.

Coach Jewett also shared several key team statistics. He mentioned three team goals for the season: to win the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) championship, the District Nine Championship (which they lost in a close game to the DuBois Central Catholic Cardinals) and win the State title (which they did by defeating that same Cardinal squad). Coach Jewett said, “Two out of three, ain’t bad.”

The team went 32-1, with an overall batting average of .402, while holding opponents to .218. The team had no errors through their playoff run and also had ten stolen bases and nine bunts.

Coach Jewett commended the players in picking each other up when they were down and holding each other to high standards.

Dawson Smail then took the mic, to let everyone know that coach Jewett was the “Coach of the Year.”

Then it was time for the presentation of proclamations from various government leaders, who represent Clarion.

First up was Pennsylvania State Senator Scott Hutchinson (21st District). He mentioned the good memories the team shares and said that the Citation was read on the Senate Floor.

Then Pennsylvania State Representative Donna Oberlander (63rd District) had the floor. She mentioned her special joy in this accomplishment, as a Clarion Area Alumn. She also mentioned how much fun she had watching the game and that she and the House member covering DuBois had a bet on the game.

She then presented proclamations to the team and to each individual member. The citation was read on the House Floor.

U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson (15th District) couldn’t make it to the event, but did provide a citation, that he read on the House Floor, honoring the Bobcats. The Clarion County Commissioners weren’t in attendance but also provided proclamations.

Coach Jewett then thanked various folks, including Superintendent Dr. Carrico, Principal Natalie Miller-Martini, Athletic Director Nancy Mills, the Boosters, Mr. McKenzie (who produced the team photo), parents and other family members, the media and last but not least his own wife and family.

Coach Jewett gave a special shout out to Chris Rossetti of D9and10Sports.com, an absolute community and District Nine icon. He mentioned how Chris broadcast many of the games during the regular season and all the playoff games. If you saw it, how can you ever forget Chris hanging out and “chillin’ ” with the team, in more ways than one, waiting for the State semi either to be canceled or played. Just when it seemed things were ready to go, another downpour would hit. Must have been a good five or six hours before the game started, with Chris sending back reports on the team and weather (as he stood out in the less than ideal conditions).

(I’ve mentioned this before, but I owe Chris a big debt of gratitude. As I get older, I can’t make it out to as many sporting events as I used to. And Chris has given CSZ permission to use his broadcasts for spotting and taking notes. One Class Act, for sure.)

Then it was over to the Gymnasium.

There was a very impressive display of the Trophy, the citations, a medal, one of the commemorative bats and so on.

Rob had several players come up and share some words, with a theme of most being the joy in the big accomplishment and the camaraderie.

Dr. Carrico presented gifts to the team and then the players.

Next the players climbed the bleaches and unveiled the team’s State Championship photo, which is on the wall, just above the Championship banner and situated between the schools other State Championship displays, Volleyball and Track and Field.

The team and their guests were then treated to cookies and cupcakes in the lobby.

But there was one last order of business on the night.

Wednesday, November 8th was National Letter of Intent Day. The day college recruits are officially permitted to seal their commitment to college programs.

Dawson Smail had his ceremony with his team, family and friends. Dawson is now officially a member of the Xavier Musketeers Baseball program. Xavier is an NCAA Division I program from Cincinnati.

CSZ will have a special signing article for Dawson in the near future.

(Congratulations to the 2023 Clarion Bobcats, PIAA State Class A State Champions!!!! And fine job to all who brought this great Celebration together!!!! Thanks to Rachel Matus, Jamie Smail and Rick Miller for their photos!!)