Jase Ferguson Runs For All Seven Touchdowns As Wildcats Down Eagles, In PIAA State Class-AA Semifinal; Will Face Troy In State Championship Game
Feature Photo courtesy of Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media – Jase Ferguson with Noah Harrison (20) and Charlie Hepfl (2) escorting
On a cold, blustery Friday (November 29th) night at Farrell’s Lou Falconi Field at Anthony J. Pauleakis Stadium, The District 9 Champion Central Clarion Wildcats shutout the District 7 Champion, South Park Eagles 55-0, in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class-AA State Football semifinal.
With the win, the (13-0) Wildcats, will now face the (15-0) District 4 champion Troy, on Friday (December 6th) at Cumberland Valley in Mechanicsburg, at 1:00 PM.
Central Clarion had a sizeable crowd on hand to cheer them on.
The wind chill was well below freezing (you could feel it bite right through you) and the field was slick, but those conditions didn’t seem to pose a big problem for the Wildcats, who amassed 416 yards of total offense (256 rushing, 160 passing) to the Eagles’ 71 total yards (60 rushing, 11 passing).
Quarterback Jase Ferguson scored all seven of Central Clarion’s touchdowns, while Thomas Uckert who returned after a health situation was perfect on all his point-after attempts and two-for-two on field goals. Uckert also had several kickoffs go for touchbacks.
Central Clarion head coach, Dave Eggleton said this about his star kicker’s return, “Having Thomas back tonight was huge for our team. The extra points and field goals are what stands out as the obvious, but his presence has a huge effect in the field position battle.”
This was about as complete a game, as you can imagine, for the Wildcats. The Offense, Defense and Special Teams worked to perfection throughout.
The Wildcats scored 17 points in the first quarter, 21 in the second, 7 in the third and ten in the fourth.
Uckert opened the Central Clarion scoring with a 39 yard field goal, at 10:05 of the first quarter. Ferguson followed that with runs two runs of five yards, the first at the five minute mark and the second with thirteen seconds left and with Uckert’s PATs, the Wildcats led 17-0.
Ferguson ran for a 28 yard score at 9:30 of the second quarter, a three yarder at 6:48 and a ten yard touchdown with half a minute left in the second quarter and combined with Uckert’s extra-points, Central Clarion led 38-0, which set the Mercy Rule running clock in play for the second half.
Ferguson is absolutely a site to behold, as he changes directions on a dime and sees openings most others might not.
Coach Eggleton is more than ecstatic about his signal caller. “What more can I say about Jase. In my opinion, he is the best football player in the modern era of District 9. What he does week in and week out is unbelievable.”
And when you combine that with a huge Offensive Line that can open holes you can drive a truck through, and the bevy of outstanding backs and receivers (as will be apparent when you see the stats below), the Wildcats offense is one formidable machine! Ditto for the defense and Special Teams!
This edition of the Wildcats Special Teams is a truly as the saying goes “One Third Of The Ball Game.” These are for sure starting positions.
With 6:15 showing on the third quarter clock, Ferguson took it in from thirty yards out and with the PAT, the Wildcats led 45-0 heading to the last stanza.
Uckert’s second field goal was good from 37 yards, with 11:54 left in the game.
The last touchdown of the evening came at 7:56, with Ferguson running it in twenty-four yards. Uckert’s kick set the 55-0 final.
About the Wildcat “Big Guys,” as well as the rest of the defense, Eggleton said, “Our offensive and defensive lines showed up big tonight.
“They heard all of the talk about South Park and how good their offensive line is and how good their running attack is and rightfully so.
“They were hungry to get on the field and make their presence felt in this game. They dominated both sides of the football. Our defense played lights out all night long. We swarmed to the football and gang tackled.”
And those skill position players. “Our athletes made plays when called upon. Mason had a big catch to set up our first field goal and Ethan had a huge catch and run on the flip pass right before half setting up the touchdown.
“We have such an unselfish group of young men. Our receivers know some games we may throw 25 times and some games we may only throw ten.
“They all do what is asked and do a great job blocking down field.”
Some of Central Clarion’s key stats:
Ferguson had 15 carries for 171 yards, 6-of-11 passing for 160 yards; Rex caught 4 passes for 93 yards; Mason Burford had 67 yards on 2 catches; Noah Harrison ran the ball 6 times for 44 yards.
Coach Eggleton mentioned the support the team receives. “First off I want to thank our community for the tremendous support they have given us through this run. From Pre Game meals to Fire and police escorts it has been an outpouring of love and we have felt the entire Clarion, North Clarion, and Clarion-Limestone communities unite behind us.”
The Wildcats are right on schedule. “As we prepare for Troy, we will try to block out the distractions while still enjoying the moment. This is something you dream of a coach and player.
“Our sole focus over the next week is going to be finishing the job we started. Our mantra since camp has been ‘All In’ meaning we were going all in this season for a state title. We have now given ourselves an opportunity to reach that goal.”
“I ask and encourage all of our community, alumni, and fans, not only our fans, but all of District 9, to make the trip to Cumberland Valley and continue to show your support for this team!”
The first thing Coach Eggleton shared with CSN, pretty well sums up Friday’s experience. “Wow!”
(LET’S WIN STATES, WILDCATS!!!!!!!!!!!! Special Thanks To Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media and Cheryl Marshall for their photos and Chris Rossetti and YDL Sports Network for the stats and scoring summary!!)