Wildcats Top Commodores In D8/9 Class 2A Playoffs
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Ethan Rex
The Central Clarion Wildcats downed the Perry Traditional Academy Commodores 56-8 in their District 8/9 semifinal at Frank Varischetti Field in Brockway, on Friday (October 31st).
Perry received the opening kickoff, but stalled. Central Clarion’s Brady Guth grabbed a punt that was partially blocked at about the Commodore 25 yard line and took it to the seven. On first and goal Ethan Rex took the ball through the middle for the touchdown. Logan Bish was good on the extra-point and the Wildcats led 7-0.
Thwarting Perry’s next possession, Jeremiah Queenan intercepted a pass at the Perry 25 and took it to the seven yard line. There was a fumble on the next play that went into the endzone and was recovered by Patrick Durish for the touchdown. Rex ran it in for a two-point conversion and Central Clarion led 15-0.
After a Hayden Hindman sack at the 2 yard line, the Commodores lined up to punt out of the endzone. But the punt went high in the air and was caught in a swirling wind, that carried the ball out of the back of the endzone, giving the Wildcats a 17-0 lead at 5:49 of the first.
Several plays after receiving the free-kick, Central Clarion had a first-and-ten at the Perry twenty-eight. Rex covered the distance taking a handoff down the left side for a score. Bish was good on the PAT and the Wildcats led 24-0 at 4:33.
Maranvantz scored the next touchdown, as he intercepted a pass at the Commodore 25 and ran it down the right side for a touchdown. With Bish’s kick, Central Clarion led 31-0 at 3:30 of the first.
The Wildcats benefitted from another safety at the 1:39 mark, extending their lead to 33-0.
Several plays after receiving the free-kick, Mranvantz carried the ball down the right side line for a 21 yard touchdown. Bish closed out the first quarter scoring with another successful kick and the Wildcats led 40-0.
The first points of the second quarter came as the Wildcats recorded a third safety, blocking a Perry punt at about the one, that went out of the back of the endzone to up their point total to forty-two at 10:14.
Rex returned the free-kick to the Perry thirty-six. He ran it in from there, two plays later. With Bish’s extra point, the Wildcat was 49-0.
After a Perry punt, the Wildcats set up at the Commodore forty-six. Several plays later, Rex carried the ball down the left sideline for a twenty-nine yard touchdown and with Bish’s kick, the score was 56-0 at 13:14.
Perry closed out the scoring at 1:17 of fourth quarter with Ithas Pierre hitting Deonte Herring in the left side of the endzone from 32 yards out, followed by J.J. Grace tossing a shuttle pass to Pierre for the two point conversion.
Wildcat Head Coach Dave Eggleton shared, “I thought it was a really good week for us. We focused on improving as a team every day, and it showed. We came out and played with great intensity, which allowed us to get some of our guys a much-needed rest in the second half. We’re excited for the opportunity to compete for another district title next week.”
The Wildcats will face Karns City in the championship game, on Friday (November 7th) at Brookville, with the game set for 7:00 P.M.
(Let’s Go, Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Cheryl Marshall for her photo!!)