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Jeff Hoenstine leads Dragons in win over Bedford @jeffhoenstine2 @CentralDragonFB

Tagged under: District 5, District 6, Gameday Hub, News

| November 20, 2021

Centrals Parker Gregg runs the ball in Friday’s 20-14 win over Bedford. Friday, November 19, 2021. Photo by: Two20Studios

Late in the first quarter in a game dominated by defense, Central Dragons quarterback Jeff Hoenstine rolled to his right, looked back, and threw a rainbow touchdown pass to Hunter Smith to tie the single-season state record for most touchdown passes with 54. Not only did Hoenstine get a step closer to making history but he used his legs to take down the Bedford Bison 20-14 and advance in the state playoff bracket. 

Friday night was a game that featured a battle between the defenses. The Central Dragons were held to just 168 yards and 20 points as the Dragons defense managed to get three turnovers and one in a pivotal moment of the game. On Bedfords second drive of the game, defensive back Josh Biesinger intercepted Mercury Swaim. The Dragons would use the turnover to score points. Driving down the field the Dragons found themselves at the five-yard line. Hoenstine dropped back, rolled right, and looked back to his left to throw a rainbow touchdown pass to Hunter Smith to tie the state record. Smith nailed the pat giving the Dragons an early 7-0 lead. Hoenstine commented on the record saying, “We got the win, that’s all that matters in a close game like this. Bedford is a great team and we didn’t play our best but we are still willing to power through and get the job done. I’m grateful for God and the coaches for putting me in the best position to succeed.” 

On the Dragons, next possession disaster struck. On fourth and short deep in their own end, Swaim and the Bison were able to hold and force a turnover on downs at the 16-yard line. The Bison would capitalize on the short field position as a few plays later from two yards out, Trenton Price bulldozed his way into the endzone. 

To start the second half both teams would struggle on offense. The Dragons were able to force a turnover on downs at the Bedford 29 yard line. However, the Bison defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs at the Dragons 26-yard line. The very next play Ethan Weber connected on a 74-yard dime to Maxwell Washington for the Bison touchdown. Lizzy Martz made the pat giving the Bison a 14-7 lead. 

With 16 seconds left in the third quarter, the Dragons managed to recover a fumble at the 41-yard line. After the fumble, later in the drive, Hoenstine powered his way in from six yards out for the Dragon touchdown. Smith made the pat making the score 14-14 with a little over nine minutes left in the game. Hoenstine wasn’t done just yet. With a little over four minutes in the game, Hoenstine ran to the right and dove into the endzone for the four-yard Dragons touchdown. Smith missed the pat making the score 20-14.

After a big kick return and a late hit penalty, the Bison were in great field position. However, the Dragons defense would come up big. Swaim took the ball but fumbled and was recovered by Parker Gregg at the Bison 10 yard line. “It felt amazing, I couldn’t do it without my other teammates. I just grabbed the ball.” Gregg said. 

For the Bedford Bison, their 2021 season has come to an end finishing 10-2 with both losses to the Dragons. For the Central Dragons, they advance to 13-0 and the next round of state playoffs. They will face the winner of today’s Slippery Rock vs Grove City game.

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