A year ago, everything changed for the Clearfield Bison on the football field. The home field looked the same, with its black endzones and the familiar fieldhouse. The colors of the jerseys and pants stayed consistent, clad all in black with red and white accents. But, the helmet had a different look…the Bison name on each side. No stickers added as the year went on for accomplishments, similar to what one would see from Ohio State as the season progressed.
The vibe of the year felt different, with a new offensive scheme, a faster pace, and most of all, a new man at the helm.
In his first season as the head coach, Myles Caragein gave the Bison faithful something they had gotten used to, another District IX championship, and another winning season. After splitting the first two games of the year, the 2023 squad ripped off a five-game winning streak. Unfortunately, after losing the final two games of the year, the inaugural season as part of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, would not be one where Clearfield competed for a conference championship. But, after getting the final regular-season win of the year and finishing with a 7-3 record in conference play, Clearfield would take down Punxsutawney in the D9 championship, continuing a trend started by long-time coach Tim Janocko.
The season ended in tough fashion, a double-overtime war against the Central Dragons, ending the year with an 8-4 record. For a season that had a lot of firsts, from a new coach to a new conference, new scheme and new playing style, the team took on a moniker from Caragein that took them through difficult times and through success.
It has continued into preparation for the 2024 season, with two-a-days and Heat Week. The new squad has taken that “Bend…Don’t Break” mentality into summer workouts and into every practice.
Now, all the preparation has gotten them to this…game day. Here’s a look into the 2024 squad on both sides of the ball.
OFFENSE
The entire look and feel of the Bison offense one year ago had a different vibe. It went from how the plays were called in, to the time between plays, and even the lingo to interpret the plays. It all had a much different look, but what did not change was the success rate.
A season that saw over 2500 yards rushing, almost 1700 yards passing, and 48 total touchdowns showed that even with the new terminology, Clearfield was in good hands.
What is a major change for the 2024 season is the fact that the main signal-caller is changing, not just the starter, but also the backup. Last year’s quarterback, Will Domico, graduated with stellar numbers, both as a passer and as a rusher, totaling 27 touchdowns through 12 games. Not only did the Bison lose their lead under center, but the leading rusher, Carter Chamberlain, also graduated and decided to pursue wrestling in his tenure at college. So, Clearfield is going into the year with some questions on offense.
Currently, it is expected that junior Xavier Curry will be the one calling out the signals, but he has one major advantage returning for one final year on the gridiron.
Senior Brady Collins is back for his last season, coming off a season where he rushed for 904 yards, averaging nearly eight yards per carry, and six touchdowns. He was a good hand in receiving as well, pulling in 23 catches for 232 yards and another six touchdowns. Having the experience to get open, and find gaps, will help his younger quarterback. Along with Collins as a receiver, Carter Freeland is back for his senior season as the team’s leading receiver. He finished 2023 with 47 catches, 872 yards and 10 touchdowns as wideout, all team-high statistics. Expect Freeland to be seeing the ball a lot to start the year,
The biggest key for Curry is to trust the protection his front five provide, and with five returning letter-winners from the offensive line in the likes of Jonathan Rowles, Ty Aveni, Hunter Ressler, Christian Moore and Nick Bailor, there is going to be plenty of trust to keep a clean pocket so he can make the pass, while Collins expects his front five to create some running lanes.
If the line can do their job, and the playmakers can do their job, the Bison could once again be taking home a championship, or more, come post-season time.
DEFENSE
The opposite side of the ball brings just as many questions for a team coming off an 8-4 season, but many of the answers are already available since the Bison return their three top tacklers from a year ago.
Junior Colton Ryan, along with Collins and Freeland, combined for 366 solo tackles a year ago, with Ryan leading the way with 95, a staggering 7.9-per-game average. The lone starter from a year ago that is needing to be replaced is Chamberlain, who led the team on the year with six sacks. Luckily, Rowles was right there with his teammate with 4.5 sacks a year ago, and Freeland added in another 4.5 himself.
What makes this defense so potent in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference is that there are weapons on the line, in the linebackers, and secondary that are capable of breaking a game open by halting the opposing squad’s progress.
The secondary is loaded with playmakers who can force turnovers and make big deflections, with Freeland and Ryan combining for five fumble recoveries. Freeland also added in a trio of interceptions last year, giving the experience at the secondary a potent turnover ratio for this year.
More than anything, the Bison defense has continued to be a strong force even with the change in conference.
In five games, the Bison held their opponents to 14 points or less, all ending in victory. The team only had three games where they gave up more than 30 points, with two of those games ultimately being losses, but even those losses came in close games where the final score was a single possession. In fact, all of the losses from a season ago came via nine points or less, showing that even in a losing effort, Clearfield was still battling tight.
It’s expected to be very similar this year as the three teams that Clearfield lost to a year ago are back on the schedule (Forest Hills, Richland, Central). However, this year those contests will be happening at the Bison Sports Complex, giving Clearfield a major home-field advantage.
The “Bend…Don’t Break” mentality showed the entire time for the 2023 defense, because they never broke at any point in the season. The closest they came could be the District 6/9 playoff against Central, where they would ultimately fall short in a double-overtime classic.
The new season is here. Two-a-days are done. Heat Week has concluded. Scrimmages have been played, and practices still continue.
2024 Clearfield Bison Roster
Names in BOLD are returning letter-winners
SENIORS: Brady Collins, Carter Freeland, Bryce Frushour, Connor Morgan, Damian Schomoke, Jonathan Rowles, Ty Aveni, Hunter Ressler, Christian Moore, Nick Bailor.
JUNIORS: Colton Ryan, Xavier Curry, Bryndin Chamberlain, Landyn Rankin, Cooper Broad, O’Brian Owens, Cash Diehl, Kenny Elbe, Nick Flood, Benjamin Chimenti, Austin Fenton, Mailyn Shipley.
SOPHOMORES: Jayce Brothers, Radek Albright, Cole Baughman, David Magnuson, Jackson Shugarts, Trot Scaife, Eli Moyer, Ryan Ludwig, Zach Mann, Brayden Wills, Cerik Ceprish, Ethan Mitchell, Tyler Hockenberry.
FRESHMEN: Elijah Glunt, Bo Aveni, Theoren Albright, Noah Troxell, Brett Fletcher, Zach Porter, Lawson Coolbaugh, Brodee Owens, Matthew Peace, Demetri Vitullo, Colby Custaney, Timmy Taylor, Connor Custaney, Aiden Ferguson, Cameron Mayhew, Tristan Haney, Dominic Natoli.
2024 Clearfield Bison Schedule
All games kick off at 7 p.m.
AUGUST
- 23 – @ Tyrone
- 30 – FOREST HILLS
SEPTEMBER
- 6 – @ Philipsburg-Osceola
- 13 – BELLEFONTE
- 20 – @ Huntingdon
- 27 – @ Penns Valley
OCTOBER
- 4 – BALD EAGLE AREA
- 11 – RICHLAND
- 18 – CENTRAL
- 25 – To Be Determined (LHAC Crossover/Championship)