Wildcats Down Raiders For Second Consecutive District Nine Class-AA Title, Set To Play Westinghouse Next Friday, At Memorial Stadium

on 11 November, 2023 at 19:00

Feature photo above courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Wildcats celebrate their victory

With the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, from start to finish, the Central Clarion Wildcats won their second straight District Nine Class-AA Championship game, defeating the Brookville Raiders 63-18, at PennWest Clarion’s Memorial Stadium on Friday (November 10th).

With the District title, the Wildcats enter the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State playoffs and are set to play the Westinghouse Bulldogs, 37-20 winners over Berlin Brothersvalley, also at Memorial Stadium next Friday, (November 17th). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Brookville received the opening kickoff. But with a third and long, Jase Ferguson intercepted a pass along the left sideline, setting the Wildcats up at the Raiders thirty. Several plays later, with a 1st and goal, from the twelve, Ferguson hit Tommy Smith, who was wide open on the left side of the endzone for the score. Thomas Uckert was good on the extra-point and the Wildcats led 7-0 at 7:59.

**Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Jase Ferguson on the loose**

With 1:51 left in the quarter, Brookville fumbled a punt in the endzone, Jesse Siwiecki recovered for the touchdown. With Uckert’s PAT, the Central Clarion led 14-0.

There was no more scoring in the quarter.

On a 1st and 10 from the Raiders twenty-three, Ferguson hit Hayden Hindman on a slant over the middle, at about the ten yard line and Hindman took it the rest of the way, at 7:17 of the second. Uckerts’ kick made it 21-0 Central.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Hayden Hindman headed down field

Raider Hayden Freeman took the ensuing kickoff for a ninety-four yard touchdown. The kick failed and the Wildcats lead stood at 21-6 at 7:01.

A ten yard touchdown run down the left side, by Noah Harrison combined with Uckert’s kick and Central was up 28-7, with 5:50 left before the half.

Brookville’s next possession started at their own forty-eight. But Brady Quinn intercepted a pass on the first play from scrimmage, and the Wildcats were set up at the Brookville forty-five. Ferguson and Quinn hooked up on a long screen pass during the drive, which was capped off when Ferguson hit Mason Burford in the back left of the endzone with thirty-five seconds left before intermission. And the kick made it 35-6 Wildcats.

A real treat at halftime took place after both Bands finished their individual performances. They joined together to perform as one Big Unit.

**Photo courtesy of Gerry Borovick – Combined bands performing.**

The Raiders opened the second half scoring, when Charlie Krug hit Jack Pete from two yards out at 6:38. The two point attempt failed and it was now 35-12 Central Clarion.

Brookville attempted an on-side kick which Braylon Beckwith recovered. The Raiders were called for an offsides penalty and got to kick again.

This time, they kicked deep. Quinn took the ball at the ten, ran up the middle and cut right, and ran down the sideline before being driven out inside the ten. A penalty against the Raiders set the ball at the three. Quinn took the ball around the left side for the score and with Uckert’s kick, the Wildcats now led 42-12, at 6:17.

**Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Brady Quinn following some solid blocking**

Ferguson hit Dawson Smail, in the left front of the endzone, from six yards out at 4:16. The kick was good, Wildcats 49 – Raiders 12.

Brookville scored their last points at 1:05 of the third, when Pete returned the favor from their previous touchdown to Krug, hitting him from fourteen yards out. The two-point play failed and the score was Central 49 – Brookville 18, heading to the final stanza.

Quinn caught a seven yard touchdown pass from Ferguson with 8:05 left and moving the score to 56-18, after the PAT was tacked on. Brendon Wright had an eleven yard run around right end for a score. Uckert had was good on the point after, on an 8-for-8 night, to set the 63-18 final.

This was a total team effort for the Wildcats, offense, defense and special teams; so many touches, by so many individuals both in the passing and running games. Dominant performances by the offensive and defensive lines, linebackers, defensive backs…

Key Central Clarion stats:

The Wildcats had 580 total yards (278 rushing, 230 passing).

Ferguson threw completed 13-of-20 for 280 yards, 5 touchdowns and only one interception. He carried the ball 7 times for 46 yards. He also came down with the interception. Brady Quinn ran for 86 yards on five carries and caught 3 passes for 42 yards. He also had two interceptions. Noah Harrison rushed for 53 yards on 6 carries. Ethan Rex had 49 yards on 8 carries. Brendan Wright had 3 carries for 22 yards. Alex Love had one tote for twenty yards.

**Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Noah Harrison running hard**

Hayden Hindman had two receptions for 61 yards. Mason Burford and Tommy Smith each had 45 yards on 2 receptions. Dawson Smail caught 3 passes for 23 yards.

Central Clarion Head Coach Dave Eggleton had this to say about his charges, “I can’t express how proud I am of this group. They have worked extremely hard all offseason to put themselves in this position.

“I thought our offensive and defensive fronts dominated the game again this week. Jase did a fantastic job of spreading the ball around to all of our athletes.

“It was truly a team effort.

“Defensively, our secondary played fantastic again this week as well. Brookville has a great quarterback and group of receivers and we really kept their passing game in check.

“That is a great credit to our players and my coaching staff preparing them all week.”

Congratulations Wildcats, on your second straight District Nine Class AA-Championship!! Have a great game against Westinghouse!!

(There are a number of folks who helped with this article: Thank you to Cheryl Marshall for her great photos and to her dad Gerry Borovick for his photo. Gerry, his wife Sharon and I have sat together numerous times during the past two seasons. They have helped me maneuver stadium steps and getting in and out of seats when I am struggling. And Gerry has been my “unofficial spotter.” If I miss a player, who made a big play or yardage etc., I ask Gerry and many times he has it for me.

Gerry, Lee Weber and Brian Burford [Burford and Henry Real Estate/Showcase Homes] were Godsends last night in helping me with the stands, especially on the way down. There were several times I easily could have fallen without their steadying me. Thank you guys!!

And as usual, thanks to local sportswriter Steve Smail for his Box Score and Stats and D9Sports for allowing me to use their broadcast to clarify notes etc. Thank you all!!)