Wildcats Down Bradford On C-L Homecoming Night

Photos by Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media (Above) Braylon Beckwith (30) and other Wildcats combine for a tackle

The Central Clarion Wildcats downed the Bradford Owls, 75-13 on Friday (September 20th), at the Clarion-Limestone Field on Lions’ Homecoming night.

The Wildcats opened up the scoring at 7:16 of the first quarter, with quarterback Jase Ferguson hitting Mason Burford on a 58 yard touchdown. Thomas Uckert, who connected on all eight of his extra-point tries, put the ball through the uprights – 7-0 Central Clarion.

Ferguson hit Burford for another 58 yard touchdown as time ran out in the quarter. With Uckert’s kick, the Wildcats led 14-0, headed to the second stanza. Ferguson delivered on his third scoring pass at 10:30 of the second, this time to Ethan Rex from twenty-seven yards out. Uckert’s point after moved Wildcats’ lead to 21-0.

The Owls cut Central’s lead to 21-6 at 8:28, when Nick Degolior hauled in a 7 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Talon Reese. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Ferguson found Kohen Kemmer on a 15 yard pass to paydirt at 7:52 and combined with Uckert’s kick the score was 28-6.

The Wildcats’ special teams got in on the scoring, when Charlie Hepfl recovered a blocked punt in the endzone, with 6:26 left in the half. With the PAT, the score was now Central Clarion 35-6.

Ferguson and Kemmer hooked up again, this time from twenty yards out with 1:16 to go before halftime. With Uckert’s extra point, Central Clarion’s lead moved to 42-6.

Special teams again. Ethan Rex took a blocked punt in from ten yards out with just :06 on the clock and with the point after, the halftime score was 49-6, Wildcats.

The Lions’ Homecoming Queen and King were crowned at halftime. This year’s Queen is Maddie Greeley and the King is Jason Megnin.

The Mercy Rule running clock was in play for the second half.

A minute into the third quarter, Ferguson hit Burford for a 2 yard touchdown; Uckert’s kick was good giving the Wildcats a 56-6 edge.

The reserves saw action the rest of the way.

Central Clarion’s Alex Love had a 37 yard run to paydirt and Brenden Bettwy tacked on the extra point at 4:38 for a 63-6 Wildcats lead.

Bradford’s Lucas Wallace hit Braylon Austin with a 25 yard touchdown pass, with 1:34 left in the third and Kaden Kicior tacked on the extra point making the score 63-13, Wildcats.

The fourth quarter saw the Wildcats score two more touchdowns. The fist came on a five yard run by Brody Beggs at 8:43. The kick was blocked and Central Clarion now led 69-13. The second touchdown came on a run from 11 yards out by Briggs Beckwith with 1:08 left in the game. Bettwy’s kick was good, setting the final at 76-13.

The Wildcats amassed 551 yards of offense (306 rushing, 245 passing).

Wildcat Stats:

Rushing: Noah Harrison 2-59, Charlie Hepfl 1-15, Ethan Rex 1-17, Jase Ferguson 1-2, Brady McKinley 1-9, Carter Hindman 2-24, Brody Beggs 5-82, Briggs Beckwith 1-11, Jackson Mravintz 2-13, Billy Kahle 1-15, James Hindes 1-0, Demetrius Peace 1-10.

Receiving: Mason Burford 3-118, Noah Harrison 2-32, Ethan Rex 1-27, Kohen Kemmer 3-59, Brady Guth 1-9.

Passing: Jase Ferguson 10-of-15 245 Yds. 6 TD 0 Int., Carter Hindman 0-for-1.

(Burford had an interception.)

Both of Bradford’s quarterbacks had some nice stats: Talan Reese 23-of-32 181 Yds. 1 TD 1 Int., Lucas Wallace 4-of-8 47 Yds. 1 TD 0 Int, as well as, receiver Jordan Thompson: 7 catches for 56 yards.

Central Clarion head coach Dave Eggleton shared these thoughts on the Wildcats’ performance, “I thought our guys came out strong tonight. We started off a little slow, but when we got rolling we looked really good.

“Reese is a talented quarterback and he really tested our secondary tonight. Our D-line did a great job of getting pressure on him and really made a difference as the game went on.

“Our special teams came up with two big touchdowns on punt blocks. It is always great when we can score with the special teams.”

The Wildcats are set to host the Karns City Gremlins next Friday (September 27th) at Wiser Field.

(Nice game, Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media for her photos and to Steve Smail for information and stats included in this article!!)