Wildcats Braylon Beckwith And Jase Ferguson Named To The 2023 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 2A All-State Team

Photos by Cheryl Borovick Marshall – Above Braylon Beckwith (#30)

Central Clarion Wildcats Jase Ferguson and Braylon Beckwith were named to the The Pennsylvania Football Writers’ 2023 Class 2A All-State Football Team which was announced on Thursday, December 28th, along with the Class 1A and 3A Teams. The Pennsylvania Football Writers’ All-State Team is considered the top All-State Team named in Pennsylvania. (Class 4A through 6A will be announced on Friday, December 29th.)

Braylon, a 5′-9″ 180 pound junior, was named at Linebacker and Jase a 6′-0″ 185 pound junior was selected at Quarterback.

Braylon was a an absolute driving force for the Wildcats’ defense, which gave up just 12.1 points per game. Central Clarion only allowed 8.1 points per game during the regular season. The Wildcats recorded four shutouts on the season and held two opponents to six points, while winning the District Nine League Region 1 and District 9 Class 2A titles.

Braylon averaged 10.8 tackles per game. He registered 5.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and twenty-four quarterback hurries. In addition, Braylon also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Jase had a great year as the Wildcats’ signal caller, compiling 3,566 total yards from scrimmage. He threw for 2,698 yards (141 of 122), while running for 868 yards.

Jase had 56 touchdowns – 46 through the air and 10 on the ground. – and 3,566 total yards of offense He threw for 2,698 yards (141 of 222) and ran for 868 yards.

Wildcats’ Head Coach Davey Eggleton had high praise for his All-State duo. “I am extremely proud of these two young men. You will not find anyone who outworked them last offseason and their success this past season was a product of that hard work.

“It is exciting to have two young men gain such high accolades, and even more exciting that they are both underclassmen. 

“Braylon made a huge jump from his sophomore year. His instincts consistently put him in position to make plays. His physicality when making the plays was what really set him apart from other linebackers. He was without a doubt the best linebacker in all of District 9.  

“Jase’s numbers alone speak for themselves. He is a phenomenal talent. He was the best quarterback  in District 9 and in my opinion the best in Class AA in the entire state. He is a rare combination in a quarterback that is big and physical, but also has elite arm talent.

“He was the best player on the field every game we played.”

The 1A Player of the Year is Garrett Garcia from Southern Columbia. The Coach of the Year is Donta Green from Westinghouse.

A number of District 9 Football League Region 2 players were named to the 2023 1A Team.

Redbank Valley, had a number of players selected: Braylon Wagner – Quarterback, Ashton Kahle – Wide Receiver, Mason Clouse – Wide Receiver, Christian Clinger – Offensive Line, Brandon Ross – Defensive Line, Cayden Adams – Linebacker and Owen Clouse – Specialist. Brockway’s Reese Yahner – Offensive Line was also named.

The 1A Player of the Year is Garrett Garcia from Southern Columbia and Donta Green from Westinghouse is the Coach of the Year.

Three area players were named to the 3A Team: Oil City duo Ethen Knox – Running Back and Henry Milford – Offensive Line; and Grove City’s Hunter Hohman – Quarterback.

3A Player of the Year is Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin and his Coach, Matt Humbert is the Coach of the Year.

(Congratulations to Braylon, Jase and all of the members of the 2023 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ All-State Football Team!!!! Thanks to Cheryl Borovick Marshall for her photos!!!!)

2023 PENNSYLVANIA FOOTBALL WRITERS’ CLASS 2A ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Garrett Garcia, Southern Columbia

COACH OF THE YEAR: Donta Green, Westinghouse

Offense

Quarterback: Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion – 6-0, 185 junior; Carson Nagle, Bald Eagle Area – 5-11, 185 junior; Drew Branstetter, Camp Hill – 6-1, 180 junior; Kabron Smith, Farrell – 5-11, 195 senior,

Running Back: Alex Achenbach, Williams Valley – 5-11, 185 senior; Garrett Garcia, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 225 senior; Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley – 5-10, 172 junior; Luke Blessing, Mount Carmel – 5-11, 185 junior; Ben Miller, Wilmington – 5-11, 200 senior.

Wide Receiver: Reese Gaughan, Riverside – 6-0, 200 senior; Camron Watkins, Bald Eagle Area – 6-2, 205 senior; Dorian McGhee, Western Beaver – 6-1, 200 senior; Taymir O’Neal, Westinghouse – 5-11, 195 senior; Xavier Diaz, Mount Carmel – 5-9, 160 senior.

Tight End: Jacob Schultz, Mount Carmel – 6-2, 190 junior.

Offensive Line: Jed Feldmeier, Troy – 6-2, 255 senior; Mike Crist, Steel Valley – 6-3, 300 senior; Noah Shimko, Mount Carmel – 6-5, 305 junior; Sean Sokolowski, Mercyhurst Prep – 6-4, 255 senior; Joe Eckenrode, Bishop Guilfoyle – 6-2, 273 junior; Jude Bremigen, Southern Columbia – 5-10, 210 junior.

Athlete: Danny Pigga, Dunmore – 6-0, 165 senior; Kahale Burns, Bald Eagle Area – 5-7, 145 senior; Louden Murphy, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 180 senior.

Defense

Defensive Line: Michael Richardson, Westinghouse – 6-2, 195 senior; Max Johnson, Line Mountain – 6-4, 190 sophomore; Isaac Carter, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 215 senior; Chris Conte, Dunmore – 6-5, 275 senior;Eric Clark, Bald Eagle Area – 6-3, 250 senior.

Linebacker: Braylon Beckwith, Central Clarion – 5-9, 180 junior; Dominic Fetterolf, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 220 junior; Chandon Maurer, Line Mountain – 6-1, 195 senior; Marion Norris, Farrell – 5-10, 200 senior; Nick Donvito, Dunmore – 5-9, 200 senior; Dayshaun Burnett, Imani Christian – 6-2, 200 junior.

Defensive Back: Pace Prosser, Berlin Brothersvalley – 6-2, 188 senior; Riley Vanderpool, Towanda – 5-10, 155 junior; Cael Harter, Annville-Cleona – 5-8, 145 senior; Anthony Bonner, Neshannock – 6-0, 180 senior.

Specialist: Brady Spalding, Troy – 5-8, 145 senior.

Athlete: Evan McCracken, Richland – 5-9, 185 senior; Kobe Moore, Camp Hill – 6-0, 180 senior; Ty Abram, Westinghouse – 5-11, 195 senior.