Central Clarion Wildcats Football Boosters Host 2023 Team Banquet

Above photo: Wildcats District Nine Football League Region 1 All-Stars

The Central Clarion Wildcats Football Boosters hosted the 2023 Wildcats with their Team Banquet, on Sunday, December 17th, at the Zion Church Fellowship Hall.

The 2023 Wildcats won both the District Nine Football Region 1 championship and the District Nine Class-AA championship, while advancing to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State playoffs.

The platform area was arrayed with an impressive display, featuring an archway of blue, orange and white balloons, with and balloons in front, senior players individual posters and jerseys (which are theirs to keep), and the District championship trophy. A team highlight video played during the time folks were filing in and throughout the banquet.

Booster Board member Wendy Ferguson, welcomed the gathering giving special thanks to various individuals, businesses and organizations. Several of note included: Board President Stacy Wright, Daddy’s for catering the event, Rachel Beck for the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Junior High Game Programs and Laura Burford for coordinating Senior Night activities.

Coach Cam Kirkland then gave the Invocation and the Blessing over the meal, as well as offering a prayer for two players with surgeries scheduled.

The attendees were then dismissed by table, to line up for the feast.

As the meal was winding down, Wendy introduced Wildcats’ head coach Dave Eggleton.

Coach Eggleton thanked the Boosters, the Junior High coaching staff, parents and players. He then introduced the Varsity coaches, Dave Louder, Mike Ferguson, Mike Hindman, Cam Kirkland and Doug Knepp, along with the long time team management duo, brothers Kevin “Fonz” Slike and Vance Slike.

Next, it was time to hand out the awards.

Coach Kirkland handed out the Letters and Pins to the players who earned them. It was mentioned that every player on the team earned a Letter this season. It was later mentioned that the players from the three schools in the co-op (North Clarion, Clarion-Limestone and Clarion Area could get their particular schools Letter to put on their jackets as well.)

Coach Kirkland then handed out the District Nine League Region 1 All-Star awards to the large number of players named this season. Several won Top Awards.

In attendance at the Banquet was Steve Smail, who for years now has been covering Clarion-Limestone sporting events. Since the Wildcats formed he now covers them also.

Steve is also very instrumental to the team and local media, as he compiles the official offensive stats. He has also been very instrumental to Clarion Sports Zone, as he is always more than willing to answer any question on something I may have missed in my notes.

After the recognition of the Letter winners and All-Stars, it was time for the team awards to be handed out.

In order of presentation (Presenter – Award – Recipient):

Coach Louder – Jim Williamson Outstanding Freshman Award – Ethan Rex

Coach Ferguson – Gary “Ross” Lawrence Outstanding Sophomore Award – Hayden Hindman

Coach Kirkland – Caleb Kifer Outstanding Junior Award – Jase Ferguson

Coach Louder – Jerry “Joe” Staley Outstanding Senior Award – Brady Quinn

Coach Eggleton – Blaine Brenneman Courage Award – Tommy Smith

Coach Ferguson – Special Teams Player of the Year – Thomas Uckert

Coach Eggleton – Offensive Most Valuable Player – Jase Ferguson

Couch Louder – Defensive Most Valuable Player – Braylon Beckwith

Coach Hindman – Alex Arth “Hogmeister” Outstanding Lineman – Coleman Slater

Coach Eggleton – David Wyles Players’ Player Award – Colby Wright

(Note: This is a new award that Coach Eggleton instituted, in honor of David Wiles who passed away this past Easter Sunday of small intestine cancer. Coach Eggleton mentioned that David always worked hard, giving his best…)

Coach Kirkland – Larry Wiser Leadership Award – Brady Quinn

Coach Eggleton closed this portion of the program, thanking the graduating seniors and then challenging the players to keep working hard and pushing to the team’s goals, which include one more step, a State championship.

Wendy then had some final words, thanking the Boosters and asking for others to join and for folks to step up and fill some Board positions that will be vacant. She also mentioned the Night At The Races Fundraiser, which will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, at the Clarion Moose Lodge. Volunteers and donations are requested.

The evening ended with the Wildcat Seniors presenting gifts to the coaches.

(Congratulations, Wildcats!!!! Great job to all who made this a memorable event for the team!!!!)