Wildcat gridders win, best start in school history
DANVILLE, PA – The Central Mountain football team went to Danville to play winless Warrior Run Saturday night. The Wildcats were expected to win and did just that, defeating a game but over-matched Defender team by a 64-6 score.
The night proved to be a record-setting one: the 5-1 start for the Wildcats is the best in the school’s two decade history and the 64 points is believed to be a one-game record. Central Mountain scored early and often in a game into the mercy rule early in the third period, a game in which Coach Shanon Manning was able to clear his bench and get many reserves significant playing time.
Even with the win, Manning said his team was slow to start, “pressing to be something they’re not.” But the third period was different, the coach said, the Wildcats “looking like themselves in the second half.” He said his team’s execution was at a high level in periods three and four, including second and third stringers.
Once again seniors Brett Gerlach and Ryan Pentz paced the offense before they were pulled early in period three. Gerlach finished with an 8-of-12 passing night, all in the first half, for 88 yards and a score. He also ran 11 times for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Pentz finished with 87 yards on nine carries, all in the first half. He also returned the second half kickoff for 85 yards and a touchdown and intercepted a long Warrior Run pass on the first play of the game and shortly thereafter scored on a 5-yard run to put CM ahead for good. CM led 28-6 at the half on the way to the win.
A lot of players contributed offensively. Tanner Williamson caught a 12-yard Gerlach pass for a score. Sophomore Rocco Serafini had a 25-yard touchdown run and, in another Wildcat first, two brothers each scored a touchdown. Senior Zach Weaver scored from two yards for his touchdown and younger brother/freshman Jake Weaver, on the Wildcats’ next possession, plowed 60 yards for a score.
Coach Manning made a point to compliment Zach Weaver for his perseverance, the senior “coming to practice every single day…exemplifying the acronym on the CM helmets, ‘CATs,’ commitment, adaptability, tenacity, selflessness.”
The coach had similar words of praise for back-up kicker Peyton Jones and his work ethic and his willingness to practice with both the football and soccer teams. The Wildcat sophomore had scored two goals earlier in an 11 a.m. soccer contest at Philipsburg as the Wildcat soccer team beat Philipsburg-Osceola, 5-0. Jones then traveled to Danville for the football game and kicked an extra point and made a touchdown-saving tackle on a later kickoff Saturday night.
The schedule will toughen for Central Mountain starting next Friday night, a home game with now 4-2 Selinsgrove. The Seals won their fourth game this Friday night by a 40-0 score over Shikellamy.
CM 14 14 23 13 = 64
WR 6 0 0 0 = 6
