Wildcats Down Beavers In Key District 9 Football League Region 1 Encounter

Photos courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Above: Team celebrating with the Band following victory over DuBois Game

The Central Clarion Wildcats downed the homestanding DuBois Beavers 35-19 in a key District 9 Football League – Region 1 matchup, last Thursday (October 16th).

The Wildcats opened the scoring, at 7:47 of the first quarter, with quarterback Carter Hindman hit Ethan Rex on a short pass over the middle. Rex cut right, and headed down the right side line then cut inside and over the goal line for a 64-yard touchdown. Logan Bish was good on the point-after and the Wildcats led 7-0. The drive was set up by a Jackson Mranvintz interception in the Central Clarion endzone, that he ran all the way out to the Wildcat twenty-eight.

The Beavers answered on a Londan Duncan 2-yard touchdown run through the middle at 10:28 of the second quarter. Maddox Barns PAT was good and knotting the score at 7-all.

Central Clarion took the lead again at 7:05 of the second, as Hindman hit Mason Burford with a beautiful 40-yard touchdown strike. The throw came to Burford, in the middle of the field, who got behind the defender inside the Beavers’ ten, and stretched high for the catch and running it the rest of the way. Bish was good again and the score was Central Clarion 14 – DuBois 7.

The two hooked up again another long touchdown with 3:52 left in the half, this time from fifty-two yards out, as Hindman hit Burford in stride over the middle at about the ten and Burford taking it in. Bish’s point after upped the lead to 21-7.

Neither team scored in the third quarter.

With 10:22 on the fourth quarter clock. Hindman rolled right and hit Rex who was crossing from the left with a perfect spiral in the back middle of the endzone. Hindman’s fourth touchdown pass and Rex’s second touchdown of the evening. Bish connected again and the Wildcat lead moved out to 28-7.

DuBois’ Jackson Hanzley took the ensuing kickoff down the right sideline to the Beaver thirteen. On the very next play, quarterback Trey Wingard hit him in the right front of the endzone for the score, cutting the Wildcat lead to 28-13.

Briggs Beckwith scored the Wildcats last touchdown on strong 7-yard run through the middle, driving into and carrying several defenders into the endzone. Bish’s kick made the score 35-13, Central Clarion.

The final was set, as Wingard hit Samson Deeb in the back left of the endzone from fourteen yards out, with just under twenty seconds left on the clock.

The Wildcats had 538 total yards (339 rushing, 199 passing).

Hindman was 10-of-11 passing for 199 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. He also ran the ball 6 times for thirty-eight yards. Rex ran for 118 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown, and caught 3 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception went for sixty-four yards. Burford caught five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Central Clarion Coach Dave Eggleton said, “I’m incredibly proud of the effort from our guys tonight -everyone played with heart and discipline. The coaches put together a great game plan, and the team executed it with focus. Our offensive line was dominant, and the secondary stepped up in a big way.

“I thought Mason had his best game on both sides of the ball, holding the top receiver in the state to just two catches through three quarters before he had to come out.

“Carter showed great poise and was very efficient leading the offense and Ethan was dynamic every time he touched the ball. It was a complete team effort from start to finish.” 

(Great game, Wildcats!!!! Thanks Cheryl Marshall for her photos, to Explore Clarion for use of their broadcast for spotting, and Chris Rossetti of D9and10Sports.com for official stats!!!!)