Wildcats clinch winning season, down Mustangs 45-6
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Central Mountain football team scored early and often in running away from the visiting Midd-West Mustangs Friday night, the final score 45-6, a contest that allowed coach Shanon Manning to get playing time for his entire squad.
Moving to 6-3, the victory ensured the Wildcats their first winning season in better than a decade, a point not lost on first-year coach Manning. He made a point to thank the team’s senior members who posed together afterwards following their final game at Malinak Stadium. He said he told them they may not realize the magnitude of their accomplishment at this point, but noted to them they were only a few years old the last time the Wildcats had a winning season. He expressed his appreciation and said they made “a huge impact on the coaches.”
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and Manning said the goal going in was to improve which he said they did. With his team facing a recent run of injuries, Manning pointed out there were five sophomore starters on defense, said he was “really proud” of their effort and they did well enough to help ensure the win.
But it was a senior, quarterback Brett Gerlach, who had a career night in a little more than a half of action. Gerlach finished with a 13-for-17 passing night, good for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He played only one play in the second half, a 65-yard TD strike to sophomore Connor Foltz to stretch the lead to 45-0 at the start of the third quarter and finish Gerlach’s night. Manning called Gerlach “a fantastic teammate and a fantastic quarterback.”
Gerlach was backed by fellow backfield mates Ryan Pentz and Micah Walizer. Pentz finished with 103 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Walizer had a good night receiving, including touchdowns of seven and 41 yards, four catches in all for 105 yards. Tyler Weaver had three catches for 41 yards, one touchdown, one field goal and four extra points. Tanner Williamson chipped in with three catches for 60 yards as the Wildcats had their best passing night of the season. Foltz finished with two catches for 94 yards.
Midd-West dropped to 0-8 with the loss and finishes with Halifax next Friday. Central Mountain travels to undefeated Jersey Shore next Friday for the end of the regular season. The Bulldogs moved to 9-0 with a 48-5 thrashing of Bald Eagle Area (7-2) on Friday night.
Central Mountain is scheduled for the District 6 5A championship game the first weekend in November, the opponent Hollidaysburg. The Golden Tigers moved to 4-4 with a 44-21 win over Tyrone (4-5) on Friday.
Friday night was Homecoming for Central Mountain and Ava Bair was selected Homecoming Queen, Ronnie Ergott the King.
CM 20 – 18 – 7 – 0 = 45
MW 0 – 0 – 6 – 0 = 6
