Bisons' 1998 D-9 champion football team to be honored
Thursday, October 09, 2008
By Rich Murawski Assistant Sports Editor
HYDE - The 1998 Clearfield football team will be honored tomorrow at the Bison Sports Complex prior to the Bisons' game with visiting Penns Valley. The Bison football program is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ‘98 squad that ended the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record before dominating A-C Valley, 35-0, in the District 9 Class AAA title game. Clearfield fell to Huntingdon the following week in Inter-districts to finish the year with a record of 11-1.
"We had a really good group of kids that year," Clearfield head coach Tim Janocko said. "They were very athletic and played hard."
Ken Wisor and Jim Lewis anchored the ground attack that season, rushing for 1,491 and 1,323 yards, respectively. Wisor scored 15 touchdowns, while Lewis scored 22.
Quarterback Derrick Yohe led the air assault, passing for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns. His favorite receiver was Adam Hertlein, who caught 35 passes for 610 yards and eight touchdowns. Tom Sankey added 13 receptions and 174 receiving yards.
The offensive line was led by Progressland all-stars Jeff O'Link and Justin Adams.
"We had a big, strong fullback (Lewis), a good tailback (Wisor) and quarterback, and a receiver who could catch the ball." Janocko said. "And we had a big offensive line. We had the whole package."
Defensively, the Bisons were led by a strong linebacker corps that included Adams, Andy Knepp and Jeremy Irwin. Irwin went on to play for Temple University.
Shawn Ricotta and Tim Taylor we stalwarts on the defensive line and Hertlein and Mike Weymers led the secondary. Taylor is now the second-ranked Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestler in the United States.
Tyler Butler was the first team Progressland kicker, making 48-of-54 extra points and adding a field goal.
According to Janocko, many of the players on that squad furthered their athletic careers, while also becoming very successful in their life beyond sports.
"They weren't just very special athletes, but they were and are very special, successful people too." he said.
While it isn't known how many of the 42 players on the 1998 team's roster will be in attendance, Janocko is certain there will be a good representation present from one of the most successful Bison football teams in program history.
"We are expecting a good turnout," he said. "We're excited."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
