Wildcats Clipped by Blue Jays

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – For a second consecutive Friday night the Central Mountain football team was done in by a versatile, athletic quarterback.

Last week Shamokin’s Tucker Yost led the Indians to a 40-12 thrashing of the Wildcats; this Friday night it was Central Columbia’s Steve Shannon who ran and passed the previously winless Blue Jays to a 36-15 win.

The senior Shannon ran 14 times for 104 yards and a touchdown and passed for another 134 yards, including two long touchdown passes.

And not unlike the loss at Shamokin, the home opener saw the Wildcats dig an early hole from which they could not recover. Central Mountain spotted Central Columbia 29 points in the first 15 minutes of play, then stiffened defensively and improved offensively, but not enough to overcome the slow start.

Running back Hunter Weaver was held to a season-low 69 yards on 18 carries, scoring one touchdown and a 2-point conversion. Fellow junior Bryce Bitner completed 4 of 11 passes for 93 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run. Tyler Zablocki caught two passes for 65 yards and Justin Neff two for 28 yards.

The loss dropped Central Mountain to 1-2 after a season-opening win over Williamsport. Next up is a first-ever trip to the Silver Bowl at Mount Carmel High School. The Red Tornadoes are 2-1 after a 32-14 win at Lewisburg Friday night. Previously they beat Loyalsock by a 25-22 score and lost to Selinsgrove 61-6.

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