High School Football

BG ready for LHAC final

H.S. Football Extra

CLEARFIELD -- Clearfield hosted perennial state power Bishop Guilfoyle Friday, and the Marauders showed why they are the top-ranked Class 1A team in the state as they came away with a 38-0 victory to spoil the Bison's senior night festivities.

Clearfield used a strong defensive effort to stay with the Marauders for most of the first half despite the Bison losing starting quarterback Dylan Foust on their second offensive play.

Guilfoyle held just a 9-0 lead late in the second quarter before a huge interception by defensive lineman Declan Peterson changed the look of the game. Peterson's pick came just before the 3-minute mark when Bison backup QB Jayce Brothers was hit hard just as he went to throw.

Peterson was on the spot to grab the fluttering football and returned it to his own 48.

Guilfoyle went deep on the ensuing play, as quarterback Jay Wheeler hit Evan Schimminger on a 52-yard scoring strike. Wheeler hauled in a two-point pass from Landon Schellenberger as BG went up 17-0.

The Marauders defense then forced a quick three-and-out, but got the ball deep in its own territory.

That didn't deter BG, as Wheeler ripped off an 82-yard touchdown run on third-and-5 with 49 seconds left in the half.

The Marauders scored twice in a span of 2:09 following Peterson's pick to turn a 9-0 lead into a more commanding 23-0 advantage at break.

The Bison had a chance to avoid a shutout late in the fourth when Elijah Glunt hauled in a deep ball from Brothers for 41 yards.

Unfortunately for Clearfield, Glunt was dragged down at the 1-yard. That tackle proved to be a true touchdown-saving one, as a fumble on a handoff attempt on the ensuing play saw a BG defender fall on the loose ball to preserve a shutout for the Marauders.

Clearfield finished with 167 total yards -- with 101 of those coming through the air.

Wheeler had a monster night for BG. He had 15 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also completed 7 of 11 passes for 113 yards and a TD. Schimminger led the BG receving corps with three grabs for 92 yards and a score.

Guilfoyle got the opening kickoff and quickly picked up three first downs on runs of 20 and 15 yards by Wheeler and a 1-yarder from Keegan Hewitt. Carter Boland booted a 25-yard field goal to put BG up 3-0.

The Marauder defense then forced a quick punt before the offense put together an 11-play, 61-yard scoring drive. The key plays were a 19-yard run by Wheeler on third-and-15 following a Matt Peace sack and then a 23-yard pass by Wheeler to Connor Okonak on a third-and-3 play.

Hewitt eventually capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run.

In the second half, the Marauders scored on back-to-back drives to invoke the mercy rule clock early in the fourth.

Hewitt scored the first of those touchdowns on a 6-yard run with 4:26 to play in the third, with Okonak adding a two-point catch. Wheeler scored on a 1-yard plunge on the third play of the fourth, with Boland's extra point setting the eventual final score at 38-0 with 11:03 to play.

Player of the game: Jay Wheeler rushed for 180 yards and two scores and threw for 113 and a score.

Play of the game: Wheeler's 82-yard touchdown run.

Bishop Guilfoyle coach Justin Wheeler: "I was happy with our overall performance. Anytime you shut out Clearfield, I think you have to be excited. We wanted to get our defensive backs some work against quality receivers, and they did. They played very well.''

Records: Bishop Guilfoyle (8-1); Clearfield (4-5).

Next week: Bishop Guilfoyle will play at Richland in the Laurel Highlands championship game. Clearfield travels to Westmont Hilltop.

"This is the third consecutive year we've made it to the Laurel Highlands championship game and represented the East,'' Wheeler said. "It's unfortunate that we had to play the same team we faced during the regular season, but we're looking forward to the opportunity to get a second shot at beating (Richland).''