Hindman, Hepfl, Henry Shine In PSFCA East/West 2026 Small School All-Star Game
Photo above courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Hayden causing trouble for East quarterback
Central Clarion Wildcats, Hayden Hindman and Charlie Hepfl, along with Keystone Panthers Jake Henry (who wrestled for the Clarion Area Bobcats and Central Clarion Wildcats, whose Panthers’ Head Coach is longtime Clarion-Limestone teacher Todd Smith) had stellar performances, with the trio starting for the West in the Small School 1-3A Game in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) on Sunday, May 19th.
Hayden played defensive end, Jake was an outside linebacker and Charlie was an inside linebacker.
Charlie was also the long snapper in the contest that started at roughly Noon. The Large School 4-6A Game was held that evening.
The East/West All-Games are the second most prestigious games in the commonweath, second only to the PSFCA BIG33 Classic to be held on Sunday, May 24th, which currently pits Pennsylvania against Maryland.
Eleven players on the Small School starting defense, three of them from right here… pretty big stuff!
Also, Brookville Raider, Conner Ansinger was on the offensive line. Three ajoining schools/programs from the area represented… again, pretty big stuff! And not to forget the coaching staff, St. Marys’ Chris Dworek was the Head Coach and Brookville’s Bill Morrison was an Assistant Coach.
The first quarter ended with the East up 7-0. The West held a 14-6 advantage in the second quarter to take a one-point 14-13 lead into the half.
Neither team scored in the third. The fourth saw both team move the ball, but with no scoring until Lancaster Catholic’s Brandon Way ran the ball in from nineteen yards out with just thirty-one seconds left, giving the East a 19-14 win.
Charlie had five tackles, the third most for the West. Jake had three and Hayden had one.
Tackles don’t tell the whole story, as all three played major roles in disrupting the what the East was trying to do, passes defended, sealing the corner, clogging the middle, pressure in the backfield, etc.
Central Clarion Head Coach, Dave Eggleton shared this about Charlie and Hayden, “They truly held their own on that stage, competing at a high level against some of the best football players in all of Pennsylvania.
“They represented not just themselves, but their schools, our football program, and all of District 9 with excellence and class.
“Their performance reflected the hard work they’ve put in and the pride we all feel.”
Coach Smith, shared this about the trio, “I looked out on the field Saturday and I saw 3 District 9 football players in the starting 11 on defense for the West. I mentioned to one of my coaches how amazing that was.
“They belonged and they competed at a high level.
“I was very proud of Jake, Charlie, and Hayden. It spoke volumes about the kind of players they are and it showcased the work that they have put in over the years.
“They are class acts!”
Ditto!!
Clairton quarterback Jeff Thompson III, who threw for 280 yards and a touchdown was the West MVP. Notre Dame-Green Pond was the East MVP.
The area was also well represented in the Big School Game.
DuBois had two players in the game, quarterback Trey Wingard, who had 8 completions for 81 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Jaxson Hanzely who recorded a catch.
Clearfield which is in District Nine, but competes in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, was represented by wide receiver Cooper Brood, who had one catch and head coach Miles Caragein, who was an Assistant Coach in the game.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic wide receiver, Aiden Nasiadka was the West MVP and Easton quarterback, Cole Ordiway was the East MVP.
(Congratulations to Hayden, Charlie, Jake, Connor, Trey, Jaxson and Cooper on this great honor!!!! Thanks to Cheryl Marshall and Coach Smith photos, and to Pennsylvania Football News for use of their broadcast and to their sports reporter Shane Lux for information from his articles that were used to compile information!!)