In a matter of a tenth of a second a screaming crowd went silent as Senior standout Trey Campman lay motionless on the field. Trailing 34-28 with just under 20 seconds remaining in the game and facing a fourth and 10 from the 16 yardline Curtis Frye dropped back to pass and fired a pass to Campman at the one yard line. Campman, much as he\’s done all season, lept into traffic and made the catch, but safety Brandon Pennington led with his helmet at full speed knocking Campman unconcious with the ball falling to the ground and ending the Bisons chance at their 7th District 9 AAA championship.
Things went south for the Bisons early. After Giving up a long kickoff return the Chucks only needed two plays to score on a 52 yard scamper by quarterback Logan Weaver. Weaver danced around in the pocket then darted down the sideline untouched to put the Chucks up 6-0.
The Bisons were forced to a three and out on their first possesion giving the Chucks good field possesion once again. The Chucks again wasted little time to score by marching down field with Weaver connecting with Pennington on a six yard scoring strike. After a failed two point try the Chucks lead 12-0.
Clearfield looked as if they were finally starting to get going taking their next possesion all the way down to the Punxsy two yard line before turning the ball over on downs after Frye\’s option pitch slipped out of his hands.
The Bison defense started to step up on the next two Chuck possesions which ultimately lead to a one yard scoring plunge by Frye and after a succesful PAT the Bisons trailed by only five, 12-7. On the ensuing Chuck possesion on a smart defensive play Derek Danver stripped the ball from the Punsxy runing back setting up shop for the Bisons at midfield. As they have done consistantly during their four game winning streak the Bisons converted the turnover to points with Frye once again scoring from a yard out to put the Bisons up 14-12.
On the Bisons second half opening drive Weaver interceptd a pass meant for Campman in the endzone putting the drive to a hault. The Bisons came up huge two plays later coming up with yet another fumble recovery which led to yet another Bison score with Derek Morgan hitting paydirt from three yards out.
Punxsy didn\’t take long to answer back with Weaver connecting with Pennigton to come within 21-20. The Bisons came up big on their ensuing possesion with Frye and Campman hooking up for a 60 yard bomb to put the Bisons up 28-20.
Brennan Niver scored on a 22 yard scamper by breaking numerous tackles, signifying the Bisons tackling woes on the night putting the Chucks down 28-26. Clearfield failed to move the ball on their next possesion setting up the Chucks with good field position yet again. With just under two minutes remaining the Chucks scored the eventual game winning touchdown and converting the 2-point conversion to go ahead 34-28.
The Bisons orchestrated a masterful no huddle 2 minute drill taking the ball all the way down to the 16 yardline before the tragic hit on Campman ending the Bisons seson.
Notes – Campman was taken to Dubois Regional Medical Center where he was cleared to go home….Frye finished the year with 14 passing touchdowns with nine of them coming to Campman who finished the season the season with 996 yards recieving….The Chucks outgained the Bisons on the ground by over 100 yards….This is Punxsutawney first district title in 18 years…
For more photos go to: http://www.clearfieldfootball.org/111309game.html
Punxsutawney 12 0 8 14 34
Clearfield 0 14 14 0 28