Central

October 2023

Central Holds Off Penns Valley

October 7, 2023 | Kerry Shawley

The Central Dragons raced to a 28-0 halftime lead tonight and then held off a second half Penns Valley rally to win 28-14 at Spring Mills. With the win, Central raised its record to 7-0. Penns Valley falls to 4-3 with the defeat. Both teams started slowly. Central held Penns Valley to a three and […]

Central outlasts Bishop Guilfoyle in OT Thriller

September 23, 2023 | Brandon Maynard

Central beat Bishop Guilfoyle 10-7 in overtime at Roaring Spring Athletic Field Friday night after Hunter Smith kicked the game winning Field Goal. The game ended on a controversial interception in the endzone by Jacob Benton. “The best of High School Football right there”, says Dragon Head Coach Dave Baker. It was a packed […]

District XII Philadelphia Public League Liberty Division Preview

August 24, 2023 | Anthony Franklin

PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC LEAGUE LIBERTY DIVISION The Liberty Division will be highly competitive as there is great talent and parity within the division. The new team into the division this season will be Frankford which drops down from the top Independence division. Returning this season is Central, Mastery Charter North, West Philadelphia, Martin Luther King […]

2023 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Preview: East 1 Section

August 12, 2023 | Billy Splain

The 2022 Laurel Highlands Final Standings (Record-Conference/Overall) Richland 10-0/11-1 Penn Cambria 9-1/9-2 Central 8-2/12-3 Bishop Guilfoyle 7-3/10-4 Bedford 7-3/7-4 Chestnut Ridge 6-4/6-5 Westmont Hilltop 4-6 Central Cambria 3-7 Forest Hills 3-7 Bishop McCort/Carroll 2-8 Somerset 1-9 Greater Johnstown 0-10 The Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference is always a successful conference and now they have added 8 […]

The week that was, plus PIAA Championships Preview

December 9, 2022 | Nate Grella

Nathan and Ethan do a full breakdown of the Central-Belle Vernon game. The boys discuss every game from the PIAA semifinals, then discuss each PIAA Championship game and give their predictions! Our AMIGOS OF THE WEEK Nathan: Jeff Hoenstine, Central Ethan: Braden Laux, Belle Vernon Who’s On Amigo Watch Next Week?: Nathan: Jake Gedekoh, Belle […]

Central vs Belle Vernon, PIAA Semifinals Photo Gallery

December 6, 2022 | Leo Murray

Full Gallery link below https://leomurrayphotography.smugmug.com/Central-vs-Belle-Vernon/

Belle Vernon Grinds out 21-17 Win over Central to Clinch State Title Berth

December 3, 2022 | Nate Grella

It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. The Belle Vernon Leopards were able to piecemeal together a close 21-17 in a hard-fought game against Central Martinsburg. Braden Laux rushed for two touchdowns to pull ahead of Central Martinsburg in the second half. Jeff Hoenstine had two touchdowns for Central as well, one on […]

Central Dragons historic season comes to an end

December 2, 2022 | PFN Staff

In 2021 the Central Scarlet Dragons held on against Central Valley in the state semi-final but Landon Alexander would end it with a 98 yard touchdown run. Fast forward a year in which many didn’t know the fire in the Dragons where they faced off against another WPIAL powerhouse, Belle Vernon. This game would end […]

Belle Vernon and Central to Clash for Berth in State Championship

December 2, 2022 | Nate Grella

The Belle Vernon Leopards got the monkey off their back last Friday with a win over Avonworth 24-7. The win gave the Leopards their first WPIAL title since 1995 after 5 years of knocking on the door. Now the Leopards will face off against a team that has also been knocking on the door, but […]

Central rolls into Semifinals – Lingenfelter ties state record

November 26, 2022 | Shane Lux

Grove City – The Central Scarlet Dragons are heading to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. For the second straight season, they dismantled District X Champion Grove City. Last year Central knocked off the Eagles 35-6 at Slippery Rock University. “That was a good football game, and Grove City is a good team,” […]

Dragons soar pass Bison!

November 19, 2022 | Greg Ricupero

Dragons soar pass Bison to advance to the elite eight! PIAA 3A Playoffs (D6)Central Dragons (10-2) vs (D9)Clearfield Bison (8-3) Central had the big name quarterback(Jeff Hoenstine), played in a tougher conference(LHAC) and practically had home field advantage(Hollidaysburg), so the visiting Clearfield Bison needed to win the turnover battle. They didn’t and Central of Martinsburg […]

D6 AAA Football Championship Game Preview: Penn Cambria vs. Central

November 8, 2022 | Brian Ingalls

The D6 AAA football playoffs consisted of three teams; #1 Penn Cambria, #2 Tyrone, and #3 Central. So, Penn Cambria had a bye for the first round and Central beat Tyrone 35-14. This Friday will be the D6 AAA Championship held at Mansion Park at 7pm. Last year, Central beat Penn Cambria 42-7 in the […]

Tyrone, The Look Ahead: Central

November 3, 2022 | Billy Splain

Special contributor: Dylon Brower https://tyroneeagleeyenews.com/ Check out the Eagle Eye for all things Tyrone football! @TyroneEagleEye on twitter Coming off of a forfeit bye week, Tyrone is ready to open their 2022 playoff run this Friday night against the Central Dragons. Due to the forfeit win over St. Marys, Tyrone gathered enough points to secure […]

Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference 2022 Football Preview!

August 12, 2022 | Greg Ricupero

LHAC 2022 Season Preview Three star senior quarterbacks and three rookie coaches! 2021 Rankings Record-Overall-Conference Central 14-1 (10-0) Richland 11-3 (7-2) Bishop Guilfoyle 11-4 (6-4) Penn Cambria 6-6 (5-5) Bedford 10-2 (9-1) Chestnut Ridge 6-5 (6-4) Forest Hills 7-6 (5-5) Westmont Hilltop 3-8 (3-7) Bishop McCort 3-7 (3-7) Johnstown 0-10 (0-10) Central Cambria 4-6 (4-6) […]

2022 PFN Player Profile: Jeff Hoenstine – Central

August 12, 2022 | Billy Splain

Jeff Hoenstine Central Graduation Year: 2023 Height: 5’10 Weight: 176 QB,DB 2021 PA class 3A player of the year, two time first team all state quarterback, 2021 Altoona Mirror athlete of the year Other sports: Baseball Twitter: @jeffhoenstine2 Why do you play football? I love working together with my teammates to achieve success. I love […]

2022 PFN Player Spotlight: Hunter Smith – Central

July 3, 2022 | Tristan Klinefelter

Hunter Smith Central High School Class of 2024 Athlete, linebacker Ht: 6’2 Wt: 210 Awards: All-State fullback, Altoona athlete of the week Other sports: Basketball and baseball Why do you play football? It’s always a grind and I love being part of a team. What has been your best memory? Reaching the state semi-finals with […]

2022 PFN Player Spotlight: Eli Lingenfelter – Central

June 7, 2022 | Tristan Klinefelter

Eli Lingenfelter Central High School Class of 2023 Wide receiver, defensive back Ht: 6’1 Wt: 175 Awards: First-team Altoona Mirror wide receiver, first-team All-State wide receiver, back-to-back District 6 AAA Champions. Other sports: Basketball and track Why do you play football? It has always been a game that I love and a good way to […]

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 3A All-State Team: Lyons/Hoenstine take top honors @cvqbclub @CentralDragonFB @CoachLyonsCVfb

December 28, 2021 | Billy Splain

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Hoenstine, Central Martinsburg COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Lyons, Central Valley 2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 3A All-State Team OFFENSE Quarterback Jeff Hoenstine, Central Martinsburg — 5-9, 179 jr. Jake Hall, North Schuylkill — 6-0, 215 sr. Tyler Gee, Loyalsock — 5-10, 180 soph. Dominico Spataro, Lakeland — 5-9, 155 jr. Marqui […]

Photo Gallery: Central Valley v. Martinsburg Central @warriors_cv @cvqbclub @CentralValleySD @CentralDragonsFB

December 7, 2021 | Sykotyk

Central Dragons at Central Valley Warriors Friday, December 3, 2021 PIAA Class 3A State Semifinal Sarge Alberts Stadium, Monaca, PA For more, and larger, photos from this game, click HERE. For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/

Central Valley defeats Central to head to Hershey for third straight season @warriors_cv @cvqbclub @sykotyk

December 4, 2021 | Andrew Schaffer

For the third straight season the Central Valley Warriors are headed to Hershey. This time around they beat District 6 champion Central 35-21. “I’m so proud of these guys” said Coach Lyons. Central Valley got the ball to start the game. On the second play of the drive the ball was fumbled and Central recovered. […]

Hoenstine breaks touchdown record, Central rolls to semifinals @CHSdragonpride @CentralDragonFB @GC_EaglesFB

November 27, 2021 | Shane Lux

Slippery Rock – Central advances to state semifinals in record-breaking fashion. The weather at Slippery Rock’s Mihalick-Thompson Stadium wasn’t exactly suited to favor the passing game; it didn’t matter Friday night. The Central Scarlet Dragons cruised to a 35-6 mercy-rule win over District 10 Champion Grove City. “Grove City is a good team,” said Central […]

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

November 20, 2021 | Tristan Klinefelter

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 […]

Central wins back-to-back District Six Championships @ParkerGregg11 @CentralDragonFB

November 13, 2021 | Tristan Klinefelter

Last season the Central Dragons were in the same game up 14-0 in the second half when star quarterback Jeff Hoenstine ran the ball up the field. After the play it Hoenstine laid there and was in pain and ultimately faced a bad leg injury. One year later Hoenstine led the Dragons back to Mansion […]

Central vs Bedford in pictures

October 10, 2021 | Billy Splain

Special thanks to Jeff Beach from Provine School Pictures

Dragons capitalize on Bedford miscues, outlast the Bison in battle of unbeatens

October 9, 2021 | Billy Splain

Man!! SOO GREAT TO SEE THIS!! Let’s gooooo! @CentralDragonFB will kick to @bedfordfootball pic.twitter.com/79ywpqcBd7 — Pa Football News (@PaFootballNews) October 8, 2021 It was a packed house for the battle of 6-0 teams “It’s always tough when you make mistakes and dig yourself a hole, but it’s even more difficult when you’re playing a team […]