Former Central Star Jeff Hoenstine Defeats Former Rival in First Collegiate Start

Tagged under: District 6, News, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

Baron Dionis | September 12, 2024

Last weekend, the Saint Francis football team picked up their first ever win over an FBS program with a 23-17 victory over Kent State. One of the big stories in that game was redshirt freshman, Jeff Hoenstine, started in his first game at quarterback and did very well, leading the Red Flash to the win. Heading into the game, Hoenstine was a bit nervous, but he knew he was ready for the challenge.

“I was feeling pretty nervous in the days leading up to the game, but I knew I was ready,” Hoestine said of his initial feeling when he found out he was starting. “Once the game started, the nerves went away.” 

On the first drive of the game, Saint Francis called six straight passes and he completed five of them for 52 yards. Then on the third drive, the Red Flash called a read option and Hoenstine kept it and scored his first collegiate touchdown.

On the touchdown, Hoenstine said, “It was a read play. I was reading the defensive end. If he stayed contained, I was supposed to hand it off. If he crashed down on the running back, I was supposed to pull it and run, which is what ended up happening.”

Being able to get the first touchdown out of the way was very relieving to Jeff. 

Hoenstine said, “It was definitely a very relieving and surreal moment. To get to score in that type of environment was pretty special and it gave me a lot of confidence going forward.”

That confidence boost from the first touchdown led him to a 64 yard passing touchdown, which put Saint Francis in good position for the game. Their defense was able to hold off Kent State and the Red Flash made history with their first ever win against an FBS program. Hoenstine was very happy with his team and to be a part of history.

Hoenstine said, “I felt really proud for my team and Saint Francis in general. It was crazy to be a part of a team that made history.”

Before his college days, Hoenstine was a star for the Central Dragons. He passed for over 10,000 yards and 146 touchdowns. He also was a two time 3A PA Player of the Year and a three time first team all state. 

While Hoenstine was putting up incredible high school numbers, he faced off against Clearfields star defensive end, Oliver Billotte, who continued his football career with Kent State. They played against each other twice in high school and split the series with one win each. Both were close games, but the tiebreaker was broken between the two last weekend. Hoenstine thought it was very cool to face off against him again.

Hoenstine stated, “It was really cool to see our paths cross once again. In high school, it was always a tough game when we played Clearfield, so I knew what we were in for.”

It was very cool to see a former District 6 star shine at the collegiate level and make history while doing it at a local division one college. Saint Francis is taking on Central Connecticut this weekend, which could be the game Hoenstine begins to put up numbers. 

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