New Wildcat football era starts Friday at Shikellamy
(Editor’s note: please view therecord-online for a special “Meet the Wildcats with several players and new head coach Shanon Manning. Note that the lights were automatically turned off in the midst of the Manning interview at Malinak Stadium Wednesday night, but the coach never blinked).
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – One of Clinton County’s great sports mysteries has been the inability of the Central Mountain football program to achieve greatness on the field of play.
It’s been two decades and the Wildcats have struggled to get more wins than losses, something thought unimaginable, given the success of predecessor schools Lock Haven and Bald Eagle-Nittany High Schools. But 2021 is a new year and ‘Cat supporters are hopeful that new head coach Shanon Manning and his new coaching staff can change things around.
There has been an air of optimism surrounding the program, but there was a brief hiccup last week due to some health issues that cost the team some practice time and also the scheduled scrimmage at Bald Eagle Area last Saturday. But the Wildcats are back at work, getting ready for the season opener at Sunbury vs. Shikellamy this Friday at 7 p.m.
Coach Manning, after a successful run at nearby Bellefonte High School, said things have progressed well, that the players seem to be picking up the new systems and adjusting to new expectations. He said including a ninth grade group, the staff is working with a little over 60 players: “Yes, I feel we not only have the numbers we need but, also the right players.”
While the Wildcats took a graduation hit on the offensive and defense lines, there is talent coming back in all areas, per coach Manning: “Tyler Weaver is a tremendous weapon from a special teams’ perspective and has made great progress on both sides of the ball. Offensively, we return Brett Gerlach at quarterback, Ryan Pentz at running back and Anton Stratts on the offensive line. Connor Foltz, Julian Wilt and Ronnie Ergott have really demonstrated tremendous strides on both sides of the ball. Defensively defensive end Ben Garlick, defensive end Anton Stratts and linebacker Micah Walizer return.
The coach was effusive in his praise of two of those returnees: “In 22 years I have never coached more selfless or harder workers than Anton and Micah. Unbelievable every day. They set a high standard for all.”
As for strengths of team, Manning told The Record, “Our strength will be and is our senior leadership. Great group of young men that are motivated to make Wildcat football great. And areas of concern, coach?: “Can we stay healthy enough to reach our full potential? That is my only concern.”
He said squad members appear to be picking up the new systems. “There has to be growing pains at times but, that is natural. Having a veteran quarterback (Gerlach) and running back (Pentz) has been a tremendous help. Brett and Ryan are extremely intelligent and motivated to help the staff install and pass information to everyone.”
For a Wildcat team has struggled for wins over the years, the new coach has raised the bar for 2021, stating “The expectation is to win every game…win a district title.”
For Manning and his staff, four of whom directed the Bellefonte program in the Mountain League in recent years, the Heartland Conference will have a different look, but he said he expects his team to be ready: “ I know the Heartland is loaded with talent and tremendous coaches. Each week will be a challenge…there will be no weeks off. It is hard to evaluate our schedule before the games are played. There will be surprise teams and teams that go the other direction…only time will tell.”
The Wildcat schedule will be vastly different from last year’s COVID-affected slate (the team went 4-5). There will be no home-and-away games with Jersey Shore and Selinsgrove, each team met but once each this year and Williamsport will return to the schedule.
Central Mountain and Shikellamy met in their season opener a year ago and the Wildcats won by a 33-7 score; they’ll renew the rivalry this Friday night from Sunbury. John Lipez and Steve Turchetta will be streaming the game on therecord-online.
