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Troy holds off Central Clarion to win the Class 2A State Title

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| December 6, 2024

On a freezing cold day at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field, the Troy Trojans finally climbed to the top and saw the view. It was a beautiful sight to see, for sure.

Troy withstood a strong 3rd quarter from Central Clarion as a 12-3 halftime lead was erased, and it was a wild second half with 4 lead changes as the Trojans hung on to defeat the Wildcats 25-24 to win the PIAA Class 2A State title. It was the first state title in school history and the first state title for any school from the Northern Tier League.

After the opening kickoff return from Senior WR Lincoln Chimics was fumbled at the 20 and recovered by Central Clarion, the Troy defense held the Wildcats to only 9 yards in 3 plays and Senior K Thomas Uckert drilled a 36-yard field goal to give Central Clarion a 3-0 lead with 9:46 left in the 1st quarter.

Troy answered on the very next drive that lasted 15 plays and 77 yards when Junior RB Brendan Gilliland hit paydirt on a 4-yard run. The PAT missed, but Troy took the lead 6-3 with 2:30 left in the 1st quarter.

Disaster then struck the Wildcats as the ensuing kickoff was muffed and fumbled with Troy Senior LB Jack Burbage recovering the ball at the Central Clarion 35. The Trojans then executed a 7-play 35 yard scoring drive that was capped when Gilliland caught a 20-yard TD pass from Senior QB Evan Woodward. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but with 10:20 left in the 1st half Troy had extended their lead to 12-3.

The 3rd quarter mainly belonged to Central Clarion. On the first drive of the second half, the Wildcats executed a 9-play 62-yard drive when Senior QB Jase Ferguson hit Sophomore RB Ethan Rex for an 18-yard TD. After a 3-and-out by Troy, the Wildcats took only 2 plays to score again, this time on another Ferguson to Rex connection from 48 yards out to give Central Clarion a 16-12 lead.

Gilliland added another TD for Troy on a 28-yard run to give Troy a 18-16 lead. The Wildcats answered with a 4-play 61-yard drive that was capped by a Ferguson keeper TD from 11 yards out to give Central Clarion a 24-18 lead with 6:37 left in the game. Troy then dug deep and had a 12-play 78-yard scoring drive that ended with a wild play by Junior Mason Smith — Smith took a pitch and was looking for the halfback pass but coverage was tight downfield and with the pressure coming Smith escaped to his left and scampered 16 yards for the go ahead score.

Troy had a 25-24 lead with 1:15 to go but Central Clarion got a great kick return to the Troy 46. Ultimately, the Wildcats lined up with 3 seconds left to try a game-winning 50-yard field goal, but the kick went wide left and the Trojans celebrated on the Chap.

After the game, Troy head coach Jim Smith was asked about heroes in the game: “Everybody’s the hero in this one, same as we’ve had all year.” Troy ends the season undefeated, with a state championship for the trophy case. What a year for the Trojans!

Game Highlights:

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