Wildcat Gridders Down Golden Tornado On Senior Night
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Above: Wildcats entering the field
The Central Clarion Wildcat gridders downed the Butler Golden Tornado 21-14 in the regular season finale, on Senior Night (Friday, October 24th), at Al Jacks Field, at PennWest-Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium.
The Wildcats started their first drive at midfield after a Butler punt and marched down the field.
After some nice runs by a number of Wildcats, quarterback Carter Hindman handed the ball off to Ethan Rex at the Tornado eleven. Rex bounced to the left side and int the front of the endzone for the score at 4:27 of the first quarter. Logan Bish was good on the point-after and the Wildcats led 7-0.
Butler answered, at 10:42 of the second, as quarterback Nicco Bagetta found Alex Fulmer in the right front of the endzone, for an 11 yard touchdown. Alex Fulmer was successful on the extra-point. 7-all.
Rex scored on a one yard run at 7:33. After a penalty against the Wildcats moved the ball back to the eleven, Bish was true on a 25 yard point after and Central Clarion led 14-7. The score would hold through halftime.
The Wildcats’ final touchdown of the night would come as Hindman dropped back and hit Rex with a 24 yard strike, that Rex hauled in on the left side, at around the six yard line and carried into the endzone. Bish was true on the point after, and with 6:49 left in the third the Wildcats led 21-7.
The final was set as Baggetta ran the ball through the middle, cut to the right and down the right sideline from forty-one yards out, for the Tornado and Fulmer kicked the extra-point, with 7:58 left in the game.
The Wildcats finished with 297 total yards (165 rushing, 132 passing). Hindman was 9-for-12 passing, for 132 yards and had eleven carries for 35 yards. Rex carried the ball 20 times for 101 yards and caught 6 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mranvintz had 5 carries for 22 yards and a catch for six yards.
Wildcat Head Coach Dave Eggleton shared, “I thought our guys gave a tremendous effort tonight. We were missing some key players, but that didn’t stop this team from stepping up and competing. Several guys rose to the occasion and filled those roles with grit and determination.”
“Our offensive and defensive lines really controlled the game from start to finish. Ethan had a huge night — he ran the ball with toughness and made some great catches as well. Carter continued his efficient play, managing the offense with poise and confidence.
“The highlight of the night was our final drive — grinding out the last 7+ minutes of the game to seal the win. That kind of drive is exactly what you want to see heading into the playoffs. I couldn’t be more proud of the way this team fought and finished.”
The Wildcats will face District 8’s (Pittsburgh City League) Perry in a 2A Subregional at Brockway on Friday (August 21st) at 7:00 P.M.
(Great job, Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Cheryl Marshall for her photos and to EYT Media for use of their broadcast for spotting and notes!!)