Jase Ferguson Breaks District Nine Career Passing Record, In Wildcats Win Over Golden Tornado; Central Clarion Completes Second Straight Undefeated Season

Above photo courtesy of Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media: Record setting quarterback, Jase Ferguson

Central Clarion quarterback Jase Ferguson, made District Nine history on Friday, October 25th, in the Wildcats’ 49-14, victory over the Butler Golden Tornado, at Art Bernardi Stadium on Butler’s Senior Night. With the win, the Wildcats completed their second straight undefeated regular season. And with the win, the Central Clarion has defeated schools from every Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) classification (1A through 6A), this season.

Neither team scored in the first quarter.

At 10:39 of the second, Ferguson connected with Ethan Rex down the left side for a thirty-two yard touchdown. Brenden Bettwy kicked the first of his seven extra points (without a miss) and the Wildcats led 7-0.

Later, the Tornado scored on a drive that was set up by an interception, as Preston Simko hauled in a nine yard touchdown pass from Alec Teff at 4:28 of the quarter. The point after was blocked and Central Clarion led 7-6.

Braylon Beckwith scored on a one yard run up the middle, with forty seconds left in the half and with the point after, the Wildcats were up 14-6.

Central took the second half kickoff. Ferguson had a big 59 yard run from scrimmage down the left sideline, which had the Wildcats at the Butler twenty-one. Then Rex took over from there. He took a handoff from Ferguson up the middle for several yards and then just slanted right, taking the ball in just inside the pylon, with just a minute and three seconds into the second half. With Bettwy’s kick the Wildcats led 21-6.

Butler’s next possession ended in a punt and Central Clarion took over at the their own thirty. After several nice runs by Ferguson and Rex on the left sideline and another by Rex on the right the right sideline, the Wildcats had a first and ten at the Butler thirty. Rex was stopped for no gain.

Not to worry: HISTORY – PART 1! Ferguson hit Mason Burford with a perfect strike, just inside the cone at the left front of the endzone at the 6:12 mark, tying the District Nine Career passing mark of 137, with current Kane head coach Matt Bodamer who set the record for Port Allegany in 2012.

After the kick the, Central led 28-6.

Butler turned the ball over on downs on their next possession, with the Wildcats taking over at the Tornado forty-three. Several plays later, after a Butler penalty, Central Clarion was set up on their opponent’s fifteen.

And on second-and-ten: HISTORY – PART 2! Ferguson hit Rex in the back of the left of the endzone with three minutes and six seconds left in the third, and Ferguson now sat alone, in District Nine history with 138 career touchdown passes.

And with Bettwy’s PAT, the score moved to 35-6, Wildcats.

In an Absolutely Class Act, Kane Wolves’ coach and the player whose District Nine Career Passing Touchdowns Record was surpassed by Ferguson, said, “I have watched Jase on film and he is a remarkable player.

“Even though we haven’t spoken personally, I have heard nothing but great things about Jase from Coach Eggleton and others.

“I wish him the best of luck going forward and congratulate him on breaking the record!”

Butler scored on their next possession, with Teff hitting Marcus Vicari from fifteen yards out, with 43 seconds left in the third and followed that up on a two-point conversion pass to Simko.

The quarter ended with Central on top, 35-14.

The final stanza saw Central Clarion score twice more on runs, the first a 5 yarder by Ferguson, at 9:39 and the second by Beckwith from thirty-three yards out, at 3:01. And with both extra points the final was set at Central Clarion 49 – Butler 14.

Beckwith had his usual stellar game on both sides of the ball. The O-line and D-line did a fine job.

I’m sure Jase would say that this fine achievement wasn’t done in a vacuum, and would thank all the players, coaches and others who have helped him throughout the years, that led to his record breaking night. That’s just the type of kid Jase is.

Wildcats Head Coach Dave Eggleton shared, “I am happy the way our guys responded to some early adversity. Butler is the best competition we have played all year.

“Our O-line really took over in the second half.

“I want to congratulate Jase and all of his teammates that have contributed to his record breaking career. He is a great football player and an even better person.

“We are proud to finish up a second undefeated season, but we have much bigger goals ahead of us.”

The Wildcats had 451 total yards (325 rushing, 126 passing), while the Tornado had 244 total yards (185 passing, 59 rushing).

Key stats for Central Clarion: Ferguson had 17 carries for 210 yards and completed 7-of-16 passes for 126 yards and the 3 touchdowns. Rex finished with 11 carries for 79 yards and 3 catches for fifty yards. Burford caught two passes for forty-two yards.

Beckwith carried the ball twice for thirty-four yards. Jesse Siewicki had 34 yards on two receptions. Bettwy was 7-for-7 on PAT’s. Thalen Allison had an interception.

For Butler: Teff completed 18-of-36 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Simko caught 4 passes for fifty-nine yards. Nico Baggetta had 3 receptions for 31 yards, Mark Klemz caught 2 passes for 30 yards, Quinlan Hanley had 4 grabs for 29 yards and Vicari had a pair of catches for twenty-six yards. Tyson Pino and Mason Lacey each had an interception.

(Congratulations to Jase and everyone else involved it bringing the record, that was years in the making, about!!!! Congratulations to the Wildcats on your second straight undefeated regular season!!!! Thank you to Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media and Cheryl Marshall for their, as usual, super photos and Coaches Eggleton and Bodamer for there great comments!!!!)

(Editor’s note: The Wildcats will face Karns City for the District Nine Class-2A Championship, next Friday (November 1st) at Brookville High School. Opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.)