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CM Wildcats look to continue momentum, take out Clearfield

Central Mountain’s offensive and defensive lines go at it during a Wildcat practice on Wednesday. CM hosts Clearfield tonight at 7 p.m.

By SHAREIK FLOWERS

sflowers@lockhaven.com

MILL HALL – Last week’s overtime loss to Bellefonte might’ve added another defeat in the loss column for Central Mountain, but the team exited the contest knowing it could compete with solid football teams.

Central Mountain’s offense totaled just 27 points in its three opening games, but managed to put up 31 against Bellefonte. Central Mountain committed two turnovers in the game, and if the team can erase its ball-security issues, CM coach Jim Renninger believes a win is on the horizon.

“Our objective here is to always win,” Renninger said. “They were disappointed [following last week’s loss], but they recognized if they do things correctly, take care of their assignments, and play disciplined, they have a solid team that can compete with a lot of good football teams. So that’s a positive thing moving forward.”

After a two-week road trip, the Wildcats return to Mill Hall tonight to face the Clearfield Bison (2-2). The Bison are coming off two consecutive defeats, but have shown flashes of the same team that went 10-2 a year ago.

The Bison are a pass-heavy squad led by quarterback Isaac Rumery. He’s averaging 237 passing yards per game and has thrown for 11 touchdowns. He’s also second on the team with 200 rushing yards.

Despite Clearfield’s lack of experience, they enter tonight’s contest averaging 26 points per game.

“They’re a little young, but they’re pretty skilled,” Renninger said of Clearfield. “They throw the ball a lot and their quarterback’s a really nice player. And they try to spread you out all over the place.”

“They’re a great football program,” Renninger continued. “[Clearfield’s] Tim Janocko’s a great football coach. He’s been [coaching] for a long time. Traditionally year-in and year-out, they always put together good football and their coaching staff does a great job.”

Central Mountain hosts Clearfield tonight at 7 p.m.

KEYS TO VICTORY

Like with any sport, ball security is vital. Central Mountain had a key-turnover on the Red Raiders’ 1-yard line last week that may have cost them a win against Bellefonte. Winning the turnover margin against Clearfield won’t guarantee CM a win, but it will increase the odds of capturing its first win of the season.

On defense, Central Mountain needs to regulate Clearfield’s passing attack. Bison quarterback Issac Rumery enters the game just south of 1,000 passing yards (946), and if he develops a groove early, the Wildcats could be playing catch-up all night.

“We absolutely have to eliminate the big play in the passing game, and we can’t turn the ball over,” Renninger said. “We’ve got to control the ball offensively and can’t turn it over. ”

“I think we can do some things on offense, but if we give Clearfield too many touches and too many big plays, they’re capable of putting a lot of points on the board.”

FLASHES OF OFFENSE

Central Mountain’s offense showed a spark last week that we haven’t seen all year. They recorded a season-high 31-points and 337 yards on offense. They appear to be boosted by a healthy Issiah McCann who caught five passes for 53 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown score in the third quarter to put CM up 14-7.

Despite it’s success, the team’s two turnovers stood out to Renninger.

“Even against Bellefonte we made a lot of mistakes, and so did Bellefonte, but certainly if we could clean them up we’d be even better,” Renninger said.

QUARTERBACK PROGRESSION

Austyn Carson has developed since his rough week one outing against Williamsport. Last Friday night, he went 18-30 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He ran the ball for another 50-yards and two touchdowns.

Carson has thrown for 487 yards just four games into the season. That’s already more passing yards than the team combined for last season (443).

“I have a lot of respect for Austyn,” Renninger said. “He’s really come a long way. He’s got a really strong arm. He’s doing a good job leading us and trying to minimize his own mistakes.”

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