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By Todd Irwin

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DuBOIS — Back and forth they went throughout the rainy PIAA Class 3A first-round game at DuBois’ E.J. Mansell Stadium.

Central, which has reached three straight PIAA state semifinals, and Clearfield battled toe-to-toe and went to overtime when Clearfield kicker Warren Diethrick kicked a 25-yard field goal with a second left to tie the score.

Both teams scored touchdowns in a driving rain and wind in the first overtime. Eli Muthler then threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Smith in the second overtime. Clearfield got to the Central 3 in the second OT, but Muthler intercepted quarterback Will Domico on fourth down to clinch a classic 41-35 win.

“I just told these guys that’s the greatest game that they will play in,” Central coach Dave Baker said. “Others were maybe more important, but they will not play in a greater game than that.”

“This is probably the best I’ve ever felt after a football game ever,” Central junior Eli Muthler said. “It was a wild game. Both teams played their hearts out. It went back and forth the whole night.”

With the win in the District 6-9 sub-regional game, Central (12-0) will play Hickory, a 14-6 winner over Sharon, in the PIAA quarterfinals next Friday or Saturday at a site to be announced. The Bison finished at 8-4.

Central beat Clearfield, 27-20, on Oct. 20 at home, but this game had way more on the line.

“That was a great game,” Clearfield coach Myles Caragein said. “Central is a really good team. They have a lot of great athletes. That was fun going back and forth with them tonight. I’m disappointed with the outcome. I’m proud of them. They kept fighting and never gave up. I wish we could have kept going, but good luck to Central next week.”

Play of the game in regulation: Trailing 25-21 with time running out in the second half, Muthler kept the ball, run straight up the field and scored on an 11-yard run with 1:02 left in the game. Hunter Smith’s extra point gave the Scarlet Dragons a 28-25 lead.

“It was great blocking by the offensive line,” Muthler said. “We had great blocks all night in the pass game and run game, but I found a way to make it in the end zone.”

“That was a good play by him,” Baker said. “It was blocked well too because he just ran into the end zone.”

Play on the game in overtime: In the second overtime, Muthler drifted left a little and threw back across the field to Smith, who caught and bowled threw a Clearfield defender to score, giving the Dragons 41-35 lead.  

“It was not designed,” Muthler said. “Hunter finds a way to get open. I found him and we scored.”

“Hunter was just there,” Baker said. “We had a good protection for (Muthler). He looked around and (Smith) was there.”

Offensive player of the game: Smith carried the ball 27 times for 174 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns, including a 39-yarder. He caught three passes for 37 yards and the second OT touchdown. He also made every PAT he attempted. Smith didn’t get a chance to kick the ball on the second OT because of a bad snap.

“He ran incredible,” Muthler said. “He played great on offense, but he made pretty much every tackle for us on defense.”

“He was great tonight,” Baker said. “He did all the things right when the time came to do them.”

Defensive player of the game: Muthler officially intercepted two Collins passes. He also intercepted a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter that he doesn’t get credit for. 

Great game in a loss: Clearfield’s Brady Collins ran for 171 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns.

“Brady Collins is a great running back,” Caragein said. “He’s a big-time player in big games.”

Clutch kick: Diethrick’s 25-yarder tied the score at 28-28 with 1 second left in regulation.

“We were pretty confident in him,” Caragein said.

Unsung hero(es): The Central offensive line helped Smith and Muthler (eight carries, 41 yards) amass 215 yards.

Most vital statistic(s):  There were two punts in the game.

Notable:  The play clock was out, so that time was kept by the officials on the field. … Clearfield amassed 391 total yards, including 286 yards on the ground. … Domico completed 11 of 20 passes for 105 yards.

Next week:  Central will play Hickory, a 14-6 winner over Sharon, in the PIAA quarterfinals next Friday or Saturday at a site to be announced. Clearfield’s season is done.

Records: Central (12-0), Clearfield (8-4)

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central 0 7 14 7 7 7 _41

Clearfield 7 0 6 15 7 0 _35

First Quarter

CL–Collins 20 run (Diethrick kick), 1:07

Second Quarter

C–Smith 3 run (Smith kick), 3:14

Third Quarter

CL–Freeland 18 pass from Domico (kick failed), 6:50

C–Smith 1 run (Smith kick), 5:38

C–Smith 39 run (Smith kick), 1:29

Fourth Quarter

CL–Collins 18 run (run failed), 8:19

CL–Freeland 5 run (pass failed), 6:22

C–Muthler 11 run (Smith kick), 1:02

CL–Diethrick 25 field goal, :01

First Overtime

CL–Collins 5 pass from Domico (Diethrick kick)

C–Smith 10 run (Smith kick)

Second Overtime

C–Smith 12 pass from Muthler (snap failed)

TEAM STATISTICS C CL

First downs 19 19

Total yards 341 391

Rushes-yards 35-215 39-286

Yards passing 126 105

Passing (comp.-att.-int) 11-23-1 11-21-2

Punts-avg. 1-33 1-35

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 4-39 4-50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Central–Smith 27-174, Mutler 8-41. Clearfield–Collins 18-171, Domico 11-67, Freeland 6-35, Bell 4-13.

PASSING: Central–Muthler 11-23-1-126. Clearfield–Domico 11-20-2-105, TEAM 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: Central–Dionis 2-41, Smith 3-37, Benton 2-16, Klotz 2-15, Dunn 1-10, Hoenstine 1-7. Clearfield–Collins 5-60, Freeland 3-32, Bell 1-5, Samsel 1-4, Ryan 1-4.

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