Friday night in Shamokin for CCHS/Clearfield #lvvarsity -- CCHS wins it, 55-20

FROM KEITH GROLLER

9:28 p.m. -- A game that was over about five minutes after it started, is now finally over. Central Catholic wins it behind a record-setting performance by Colin McDermott and its incredible offense. Vikings are 14-0 and finally, things should really get tougher next week when they play Archbishop Wood, hopefully closer to home, probably at BASD Stadium.

9:14 p.m. -- Clearfield gets a second touchdown, but again, remember it's coming against the second string defense. PAT kick blocked and it's 55-13 with 6:44 left. I don't think they are handling this mercy rule situation properly. This has still been a long one. At least it won't be a long ride home for the Vikes, who should feel good about themselves while starting to think about Archbishop Wood.

9:09 p.m. -- Colin McDermott zigs and zags for a 54-yard TD run and the Vikings have made it 55-7 with 9:40 left in the game. Don't know if Archbishop Wood is scouting this one or not, but they will leave here with a briefcase full of stuff.

9:01 p.m. -- Clearfield on the move here with time running down in the third quarter, but who cares? Central should have all of its first-stringers on bench. This game is over and two big ones are left on the schedule. Plus, we've had some injuries, some cheap shots and a near brawl.

8:45 p.m. -- One possession, one score for CCHS. McDermott gets a 60-yard run and Nosovitch follows it with an 8-yd TD run and now, yes, the mercy rule is in effect. Vikings 48-7 just 2-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter.

8:15 p.m. -- Just when it looked like the mercy rule would be in effect to start the second half, Clearfield got a touchdown in the final minute of the first half. It's 41-7 at halftime after Nosovitch nearly scored on the final play of the half.

8:10 p.m. -- A rocket screen pass from Nosovitch to Gulyas went for 21 yards gets it to 41-0 with 36 seconds left in the first half. Even with a couple of turnovers, Central's performance is just breathtaking. I know Archbishop Wood is a very good team. So, is Bishop McDevitt. There will be challenges in the next couple of weeks. Can't see anybody beating these guys, though.

8:06 p.m. -- Kevin Gulyas picks off a pass on a deflection and makes a nice return. CCHS has ball at Clearfield 25 and mercy rule will be in effect soon. 56 seconds left in the half.

8 p.m. -- Central defense gets another fourth down stop and it doesn't take long before the Vikings are in the end zone again. A 52yd TD run by G.B. Harkins makes it 34-0 with 2:55 left in the first half.

7:54 p.m. -- CCHS getting a little sloppy. After defense stopped Clearfield on fourth down, the Vikings fumbled it right back on the next play. Clearfield ball at Vikings 35 with 4:09 left in the half.

7:46 p.m. -- Finally, after looking like machines for more than a quarter, Central's McDermott gets stopped for no gain and on the next play Nosovitch is pressured and picked off. Clearfield has the ball near midfield, but trails 27-0 with 7:56 left in first half.

7:38 p.m. -- First quarter mercifully comes to an end here in Shamokin. It's 27-0 and Clearfield has to be wondering what hit them.

7:34 p.m. -- If this were a boxing match, they'd stop it now. Nosovitch just was a blur on a 72-yard TD run tha thas extended the lead to 27-0 and we're still in the first quarter. Just a complete and utter mismatch. It's hard to remember an offense this potent on the high school level.

7:26 p.m. -- Vikings intercept a pass and on the very first play, Nosovitch hits Jack Sandherr for a big TD pass. Finally something goes wrong for CCHS, however. They miss the PAT. No big deal. Mercy rule will be in effect to start second half, I have no doubt.

7:18 p.m. -- Once again, this is men vs. young boys. Central can't be stopped. McDermott scores on a 19-yard run and it's 14-0 with 6:21 still left in the first quarter. Amazing stuff. This is going to be a happy ride home from Shamokin, not like last year. The drive covered 77 yards and took just six plays.

7:14 p.m. -- Clearfield gets one first down before three pass plays produce 1 yard. Clearfield to punt and CCHS takes over at its own 23, 7:44 left in first quarter.

7:09 p.m. -- CCHS takes the lead on McDermott's 32-yard run, capping a quick 8-play, 65-yard drive. Vikes up 7-0 with just 3:03 gone.

7:07 p.m. -- CCHS got the ball first and has already picked up two first downs and is inside Clearfield 40.

6:22 p.m. -- Thanks to the assistance of Stephen Miller who was spot-on with the Mapquest directions, we arrived here early at Shamokin by about 5:45 p.m. Unlike last year when Andre Williams and I were in the cold visitors press box, Steve got us in the home box. It's heated. Even better, there's food. We're still 35 minutes from kickoff and people in the box are expected a lopsided Central Catholic win.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/