Breaking News
Local Sports

Wildcats fall to Mifflin County in progress-laden affair, as early fumbles prove costly

By HENRY HUBER 7 min read

MILL HALL - Early in the second quarter, Central Mountain's ever-growing losing streak seemed to be in jeopardy. The Wildcats had talked a big game when it came to offseason improvements heading into Friday's home opener against rival Mifflin County. And through much of the Week One matchup, they backed it up in a big way.

However, soon after the team took its first lead in quite some time, flashes of the previous year's woes presented themselves.

A costly fumble turned the peak of Central Mountain's momentum on the night into a deficit one play later, a sequence that kicked off a span of 21 unanswered points for the Huskies. And while the Wildcats fought valiantly to rally back and give their passionate home crowd their first win since 2023, they remained an arm's length away for the rest of it, suffering their 23rd straight loss by a score of 28-19.

It was a frustrating result given the strength of the performance, as Central Mountain kept pace with Mifflin County in first downs and success on the ground while making numerous big plays. But considering the previous matchup saw it lose by 42, it was certainly a step in the right direction.

"We put the ball on the ground twice after pushing for a first down. Those are things that we have to correct; they can't happen," said Central Mountain football head coach Travis Thompson on the performance. "Those two turnovers definitely hurt us, just a couple little things here and there. We hung with them until the end, and I'm proud of the effort."

Those two fumbles ultimately made a difference, diminishing an effort that saw the projected underdog largely control the first half. The first came on a 15-yard run from Kyle Everett that had the Wildcats at first down past midfield on their opening drive, and the second occurred deep in its own territory following a strong sequence from the team.

Prior to the second fumble, Central Mountain's run game had quickly carried it down the field for a score. Everett opened the second quarter by taking a quarterback keeper 24 yards down the right sideline. And one play later, Kole Corman punched it in to give the team a 6-0 lead.

The Huskies would start putting their response together quickly, returning the ensuing kickoff past midfield and quickly getting to the five-yard line. But strong play from Central Mountain's defensive line helped it stuff them on the next three plays and force a turnover on downs at the goal line.

With the team getting out of the shadow of its own goal post to open the ensuing drive, it stood in great position to keep building up its momentum.

However, as running back Alex Johnson ran past the marker for a first down, a Mifflin County defender was able to strip it out to set the Huskies right back where they had been a few plays prior. One play later, Mifflin County quarterback Noah Wolfkiel connected with Lucas Hartung in the back-left corner of the end zone to give his team a 7-6 lead.

And things would keep unraveling from there.

On the ensuing drive, Everett fell inches short of a fourth-down conversion on a fake punt deep in Central Mountain's territory, leading to a quick five-play touchdown drive for the Huskies on the other end. It was a decision that - while admirable - proved too risky when it was all said and done.

"That was not a called play," said Thompson on the play. "Kyle saw some room and thought he could get it, that's being aggressive and wanting to win. Sometimes, you just have to punt it, giving it to them past the 20-yard line is always gonna be a recipe for disaster."

And after forcing Mifflin County into a third and long to open the third, the Wildcat secondary allowed Asher Pierce to get behind them for an 81-yard touchdown reception. Nine minutes of game time removed from their last lead, the Wildcats suddenly trailed 21-6. And even with a strong response late, each CM score came with a caveat.

Deep in the third, a 55-yard touchdown run from Everett that saw him blow by the Mifflin County secondary after nailing the hole was immediately erased by a 75-yard touchdown on the ensuing kickoff. And upon making the most of a botched punt early in the fourth, with Corman punching in his second TD, Everett was called short on a two-point attempt that would've made it a seven-point game.

With Central Mountain pulling off seventh and final stop on the ensuing defensive possession, it ultimately fell an inch and another touchdown drive short of a tie game.

"We were in position to go back and tie it if we make it a one-score game," said Thompson.

Offensively, the pass game struggled to make an impact, but Everett did damage with his legs under center, leading a run game that showed promise at times with 126 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. The line as a whole was an unsung hero throughout the game on both ends, the unit Thompson was most impressed with on Friday night.

"Our line did a heck of a job," said Thompson. "We were moving the ball well running. We've got to work on some things with the pass to pull it up but overall, I'm happy with the effort."

Defensively, Korman secured multiple tackles for loss to lead an effort that saw the Central Mountain front seven dominate at times. Tanner McCall was a standout, posting a sack and multiple tackles for loss, Everett secured a sack on a blitz and on several occasions, the Wildcats met assured Mifflin County backs at the line.

The going doesn't get easier as Central Mountain prepares to bounce back and put an end to its growing win streak, but Thompson felt assured after what he saw from the group on Friday night. Next up, the Wildcats have Warrior Run on the road, a team that finished 10-2 and won a playoff game last season.

"Clean up a couple of mistakes and we're in this game," said Thompson. "This can't define us for the rest of the season. The wins are gonna come."

Mifflin County 28, Central Mountain 19

Mifflin County 0 14 14 0

Central Mountain 0 7 7 7

2nd quarter

CM - Kole Corman 2 run (PAT blocked), 11:37.

MC - Noah Wolfkiel to Lucas Hartung 13 pass (Jack Andrus kick), 6:56.

MC - Jaxon Strohecker 3 run (Andrus kick), 3:01.

3rd quarter

MC - Wolfkiel to Asher Pierce 81 pass (Andrus kick), 9:52.

CM - Kyle Everett 55 run (Cahle Fredericks kick), 2:20.

MC - Hartung 75 kick return (Andrus kick), 2:09.

4th quarter

CM - Korman 1 run, (2-PT no good), 8:04.

TEAM STATISTICS MC CM

First downs 8 7

Rushes-yards 35-90 28-155

Passing yards 158 22

Comp-Att-Int 10-16-0 8-15-0

Total yards 248 177

Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-2

Penalties-yards 8-45 6-45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Mifflin County, Zahir Hill 14-72; Jaxon Strohecker 15-51, TD; Noah Wolfkiel 6-(-33). Central Mountain, Kyle Everett 11-126, TD; Alex Johnson 4-9; Kole Corman 3-8, 2 TDs; Cahle Fredericks 6-8; Kai Fravel 3-3; Gavin Heverly 1-(-1).

PASSING: Mifflin County, Noah Wolfkiel 10-16-0 158 yards, 2 TDs. Central Mountain, Kyle Everett 8-15-0 22 yards.

RECEIVING: Mifflin County, Asher Pierce 3-94, TD; Lucas Hartung 4-65, TD; Landon Bowen 1-7; Jaxon Strohecker 1-(-2); Zahir Hill 1-(-4). Central Mountain, Mason Masorti 3-13; Hunter Rembold 1-5; Gavin Heverly 2-4; Caleb Stitzer 1-3; Cahle Frederick 1-(-3).

INTERCEPTIONS: Mifflin County, none. Central Mountain, none.

RECORDS: Mifflin County 1-0. Central Mountain 0-1.

Starting at /week.