Philipsburg—As the Bisons prepared for Friday night’s game against the Mounties of Philipsburg they knew two things had to be done. One, they knew they needed better play out of the offensive and defensive lines, and two they needed to play much better defensively. Clearfield accomplished both goals and cruised on to a 35-0 victory over their longtime rival.
Defensively the Bisons put on a clinic, limiting the Mounties to a staggering negative one yard net total. The defensive attack was paced by the Bisons hogs in the trenches. Defensive end Cruise Kerr had a monster game racking up four sacks and a forced fumble. Tackles Andre Buck and Nick Redden each chipped in with half a sack, and defensive end Brady Dixon recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
“Our defensive line played up to their capabilities, and I felt our defensive line was able to dominate the game. Cruise Kerr, Nick Redden, Brady Dixon, and Andre Buck all played well tonight, and when we subbed some guys in there like Robert Faust they also were able to come up big,” said Janocko of his defensive front four.
Clearfield wreaked havoc on the Philipsburg offense all night long limiting the Mounties to only one play of over nine yards which happened on a questionable 15 yard roughing the kicker call on the Mounties first possession of the game. The Bison defense was able to contain the Mounties capable running duo of Zack Czap and Jeremy Pollick to just 11 yards on 15 carries.
The Bisons were once again able to get a big game out of the Campman Duo of Jarrin and Trey. The “Campman to Campman Connection” accounted for 80 yards and a score in limited passing action with Trey hauling in six of his brother’s nine completions in Friday’s game. Brandon Sass also came up big for Clearfield hauling in two catches for 81 yards, one of which went for an untouched 60 yard scoring strike set up by a great play fake in the backfield.
“Our receivers played well tonight. They came up with some big catches and made some plays,” commented Coach Janocko.
The Bisons got on the board first on their second possession of the game taking advantage of good field position marching 54 yards and capping off the drive with a 12 yd quarterback keeper by Jarrin Campman to take a 7-0 lead.
The Bison defense forced their first of five three and out stands on the Mounties following possession to once again give Clearfield great field position starting at the P-O 51 yard line. The Bisons were once again able to hit pay dirt on a 5 yard run by starting running back Isaiah Morgan. Unfortunately this would be Isaiah Morgan’s only big play of the night as he would leave the game with an injury on the following possession of the half.
“We were pretty efficient offensively tonight, our receivers got open and we ran the ball well when we needed to. Our receivers and backs all made big plays,” said Coach Janocko on the play of his skill position players.
The Bison defense would once again cause the P-O offense to stall and force another punt and yet again leave Clearfield with a short march to the end zone. This time the Bison offense would only need one play to strike. Quarterback Campman and running back Derek Morgan executed a great run play fake that left Senior split end Brandon Sass standing all alone 30 yards behind the Mountie’s defense. Sass took off like a rabbit from a hound dog and raced into the end zone. Following a Parker Herrington’s point after attempt the Bisons took a 21-0 lead.
Clearfield would see their final possession of the half stall out and also lose their starting running back tandem of Josh Rippey and Isaiah Morgan with leg injuries. Clearfield showed resilience though as backup running back Derek Morgan would put on a good display of running in the second half accounting for over 70 yards on 11 carries.
The Bisons would score one more offensive touchdown in the third quarter as they would march down field on runs of 7 and 15 yards by the younger Morgan, and a 21 yard grab by Sass. Jarrin Campman dropped back to pass from the Mountie 18, evaded a P-O defender and threw a ball that seemed up for grabs before Trey Campman jumped in front of a P-O defender and snatched the ball at the 3 yard line and darted for the corner of the end zone outrunning two P-O defenders to put the Bisons up 28-0.
Clearfield’s defense would provide the final nail in the coffin as Cruise Kerr picked up his fourth sack of the night forcing a fumble, twelve yards deep in the backfield Brady Dixon pounced on the ball in the end zone to put the Bisons up 35 following Herrington’s fifth PAT of the night.
“We played well tonight, and it helped renew the rivalry. I have nothing but respect for Coach (Jeff) Vroman and the Philipsburg football team. I’m happy with how we played tonight. Rivalries like this are great for football in Pennsylvania,” commented Coach Janocko on the game.
The mood surrounding the Bison team was much different tonight after the win as Coach Janocko also made the following comment with a slight smirk, “ Now all we have to do is convince Pitt to play Penn State to renew that rivalry.”
The Bisons will have their home opener next week as they try to make it 5 straight wins against MAC opponent Indian Valley at the Bison Sports Complex with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Ntotes: The Bison Jayvees saw considerable playing time in the fourth quarter….The Bison offensive line did not allow a single sack in the game…..The Bisons once again were able to put up 300+ yards of total offense…..Punter Parker Herrington made a touchdown saving tackle in the 3rd quarter on a long return by the Mounties……Campman continued his streak of hitting 3 or more different receivers to 13 games….the Bison special teams played a phenomenal game pinning the Mountie offense inside of their own 30 on all of but two possessions
Score by quarter
Clearfield 7 14 7 7 35
P-O 0 0 0 0 0
Individual Statistics
Rushing : (Clearfield) I. Morgan 5-10 1TD, J. Campman 11-63 1TD, Rippey 3-11, D. Morgan 11-72, T. Campan 1-0.…(P-O) Czap 9-7, Pollick 6-4, Rusnak 7- -21
Receiving: (Clearfield) Sass 2-81 1TD, T. Campman 6-80 1TD, D. Morgan 1-9.…(P-O.) Czap 1-9
Passing: (Clearfield) Campan 9-13 169yds 2TDs…(P-O) Rusnak 1-3 9yds, Czap 0-2
Fumble recoveries: (Clearfield) Dixon