DUBOIS, Pa. – It was a game that had everything for Clearfield – except a win.
The Bison battled Central-Martinsburg for two overtimes, ultimately coming up on the short end of a 41-35 decision after Eli Muthler intercepted Clearfield quarterback Will Domico in the second overtime after the Bison had driven to the 3-yard line.
The win was the second this season for Central (12-0) over Clearfield (8-4) after a 27-20 victory back on Oct. 20.
Trailing 25-21, Muthler scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with 1:02 to play that, coupled with the extra point, put the Dragons up 28-25.
Clearfield responded, quickly going down the field and getting in range for Warren Diethrick, who booted a 25-yard field goal with one second remaining to send the game to overtime.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, with Domico throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brady Collins and Central answering with a Hunter Smith 10-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the game.
In the second overtime, it was Smith on the receiving end of a 12-yard touchdown pass from Muthler.
It was 7-0 Clearfield in the early going after Collins scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 20-yard run.
It was 7-7 at halftime after Smith’s 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The two teams went back-and-forth in the second half, with Clearfield initially taking a 13-7 lead on Domico’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Carter Freeland.
The next two touchdowns of the quarter went to the Dragons on runs of 1 and 39 yards by Smith to make it 21-13.
It was Clearfield’s turn to respond in the fourth quarter, as Collins scored on a 18-yard run and Freeland a 5-yard run to make it 25-21 before the late-game dramatics.
Collins ran for 171 yards on 18 carries and also had five receptions for 60 yards, while Domico was 11-of-20 through the air for 105 yards.
For Central, Smith finished with 174 yards on 27 carries, while Muthler was 11-of-23 through the air for 126 yards and also had 41 yards rushing.
With the win, Central moves on to play Hickory, a 14-6 winner over Sharon in the D10 title game, in the PIAA quarterfinals next week at a site and time to be determined.
