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The Central vs. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy football game, set for this Friday night, will be played at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium.
By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
When Central joined the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference two seasons ago, the Scarlet Dragons rejuvenated a venerable football rivalry with Bishop Guilfoyle Academy that has since produced two barnburner games.
In the first meeting, in 2022 at Mansion Park, the Scarlet Dragons prevailed, 21-20, after swatting away what would have been a game-winning BG touchdown pass in the end zone as time expired. Last year, Central carved out a heart-stopping 10-7 overtime win over the Marauders in a game that was played at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field.
The two teams will meet again Friday night at a neutral site at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium, and both are hoping to gain a leg up in the LHAC East Section standings. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
BG is 4-0 overall and in the conference, while Central, riding a three-game winning streak, is 3-1 overall and in the conference.
"I think this game is going to go a long way toward determining which team from our division is going to go to the conference championship game this year,'' first-year Central coach Jerry Albright said. "Clearfield is also undefeated in our section, but if we would win Friday's game, it could give us the opportunity to play Clearfield later in the season for a chance to reach the conference championship game.
"If BG wins Friday, they're probably in the driver's seat to at least win the section in the Laurel Highlands, although they don't play Clearfield and I don't know what the tiebreaking process in that case is,'' Albright added.
Friday's game promises to feature an excellent passing show by both Central and BG -- both of whom boast outstanding senior quarterbacks.
The Marauders' Chase Kissell has completed 53 of 66 passes (a completion rate of 80 percent) for 908 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Central's Eli Muthler has completed 56 of 115 passes for 660 yards and six touchdowns.
"Our offense has been going well,'' BG coach Justin Wheeler said of the Marauders, who have racked up a total of 104 points in their past two games. "We've got some really, really good skill (players). Our quarterback, Chase Kissell, has been outstanding, completing 80 percent of his passes, with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"They're definitely clicking right now, too,'' Wheeler said of Central's offense. "They're a dangerous team with tough kids who work really hard, and when you have a quarterback like (Muthler) who can throw the ball as well as he does, he's going to make plays for sure with both his hands and his feet.''
Both Kissell and Muthler had big games last week. Kissell completed 12 of 17 passes for 311 yards and five touchdowns as the Marauders went on the road and routed Huntingdon, 55-20, while Muthler completed 20 of 37 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another score, as Central downed previously unbeaten Bellwood-Antis, 30-12, at home.
Senior running back/wideout Hamilton Gates, who also starts at defensive back, has been an exemplary playmaker for Bishop Guilfoyle. Gates has rushed for 260 yards on 30 carries (an 8.7 yards-per-carry average) and four touchdowns, while making 18 catches for 474 yards and seven scores. He also converted an intercepted pass into a 72-yard touchdown return in last week's game.
"Their quarterback is a phenomenal quarterback who is fundamentally sound and doesn't make mistakes,'' Albright said of Kissell, who has also rushed for 121 yards on 28 carries. "He always finds the open receiver. The Gates kid is tremendous - he can run the ball, catch the ball, and throw the ball. He can do everything that they ask him to do, and he is also an outstanding defensive back.''
Both BG and Central have several offensive weapons. BG senior wideout Braden Reilly is tied with Gates for the team lead in receptions with 18 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while junior back Taurean Consiglio has rushed for 149 yards on 20 carries (a 7.5 yards-per-carry average) and two touchdowns. Consiglio also caught a pair of Kissell scoring strikes against Huntingdon.
Kissell's younger brother, junior wideout Jake Kissell, has 10 receptions for 69 yards and gives the Marauders another valuable offensive option.
Central mixed the run and pass well in its game last week, with Muthler completing passes to six different receivers. Senior wideout Jay Hoenstine had eight catches for the third straight game, and has a team-leading 28 catches for 371 yards and three TDs this year. Senior wideout Thaide Mickel has seven catches this season, including a 33-yard touchdown catch last week, and senior tight end Jaxon Detterline is an excellent blocker and pass-catching threat who keeps opposing defenses honest.
Senior running back Braydon Beach rushed for 122 yards on 13 carries in last week's game, and has run for 273 yards on 39 rushes (a 7.0 average) and three touchdowns this season, while also catching six passes for 42 yards.
"The big thing for us over the last few weeks is that we haven't dropped as many passes as we had in the first couple of games,'' Albright said. "When we have our passing game going, it opens up our running game. They complement each other, and Braydon Beach has been running super hard for us.
"The more balanced that we are offensively, the better off that we will be,'' Albright added.
Friday's game is being played at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium because Mansion Park will be unavailable to the Marauders this weekend. Altoona hosts a home football game there Friday night, and a soccer tournament there on Saturday.
Both the Marauders and Scarlet Dragons are very familiar and comfortable with Tiger Stadium, having played there in playoff competition in recent seasons.
"Hollidaysburg has great facilities over there,'' Wheeler said. "We've played there in playoff games a bunch of times over the years, and (Hollidaysburg) has always been a great host to us.
"Our kids like to play there and we've done some work with Hollidaysburg there over the summer months, so I think (playing there Friday) is going to be good,'' Wheeler added.
BG and Central have been among the top football programs in the area over the last several years, and the restoration of their football rivalry has been a very positive one.
"Any time that you can get two teams who are both where we've been in recent years playing each other, it makes for an exciting football game that makes for great crowds and a great atmosphere,'' Wheeler said.
Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Central
When: Friday night, 7 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium, Hollidaysburg.
Records: Bishop Guilfoyle is 4-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. Central is 3-1 overall and in the conference.
Coaches: Justin Wheeler is in his 14th season at Bishop Guilfoyle and has a career record of 137-38. Jerry Albright is 3-1 in his first season at Central.
Last week: Bishop Guilfoyle won, 55-20 at Huntingdon. Central won at home, 30-12 over Bellwood-Antis.
Last season: Central won, 10-7, in overtime at Roaring Spring.