In previous years, the Clearfield Bison Football team has been the most dominant and successful programs in all of District 9 and the Mountain League. The Bison have the most Mountain League titles out of any team in the league and are coming off two straight seasons of winning the Mountain League. The Bison also have won three straight district 9 titles. The Bison have had so much success in the 38 years Coach Janocko had been head coach, with 607 career wins as the Bison Head Coach. Bison currently have 26 seasons in a row with a winning record, but after the retirement of Coach Janocko and the change to the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference with a lot of tougher teams, many people wondered if the Bison could still have success in the 2023 season. First year head coach Myles Caragein and the Bison were ready to show that they were up to the task.
Week 1 vs Tyrone: The Clearfield Bison hosted former Mountain League rival, the Tyrone Golden Eagles. Clearfield lost to Tyrone for the first time in nine years last season, so the Bison were ready to avenge last season’s loss, but it was Tyrone who came out hot taking a 14-2 lead into halftime. After halftime though, the Bison looked determined to make up for the lackluster play in the first half as they drove down the field twice to score and make it a 15–21 game. Later in the 4th, Will Domico connected with Carter Freeland for the go-ahead touchdown. The Bison would score one more time and win the game 29-21 to start the year off 1-0.
Week 2 @ Forest Hills: After a very successful week one, the Bison looked to go into Forest Hills and come out 2-0. This was the first ever matchup between Forest Hills and the Bison. Forest Hills dominated the first half with a long rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown to lead the Bison 15-0 going into halftime. Forest Hills dominated the rest of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Bison Quarterback Will Domico lead two drives down the field that resulted in him rushing for a touchdown, and throwing another to Colton Ryan, but they would still fall to Forest Hills 22-13 for the first loss of the season.
Week 3 vs Philipsburg-Osceola: The Bison wanted to get out to a hot start vs Philipsburg-Osceola after struggling offensively the first two games, and they did just that as Domico connected to Freeland for two big plays and the Bison finished off the drive with Carter Chamberlain in the endzone. The Bison offense continued to dominate the Mounties the entire game and looked up at a 44-7 lead going into the 4th quarter. Then the game was called due to lightning and the Bison moved on to week four at 2-1.
Week 4 @ Bellefonte: After a strong week three, the Bison looked to keep the momentum rolling vs a 0-3 Bellefonte team. Bellefonte celebrated senior night and came out fired up. The adrenaline from senior night showed as the Bison struggled offensively and went into halftime with a 12-7 lead. The first minute of the third quarter ultimately decided the game as the Bison scored twice to take a 26-7 lead. The score did not change, and the Bison moved on to 3-1.
Week 5 vs Huntingdon: The Bison struggled heavily on offense last week and were looking to have a big win vs Huntingdon. Domico, Freeland, and Chamberlain all had big games to help the Bison to a 44-20 win. Domico and Freeland had career games as Domico threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Freeland had 172 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Week 6 vs Penns Valley: The Bison were now rolling at 4-1, but they were coming up against their biggest test of the year so far in another 4-1 Penns Valley Rams team. The Bison showed they were ready for the challenge as they dominated the Rams with a 35-7 victory on Homecoming after another big performance by the offense.
Week 7 @ Bald Eagle: The Bison went into Bald Eagle looking to end their undefeated season, and they did just that. A downpour of rain for most of the game made it a low scoring affair for both high powered offenses. As the rain settled, Domico and his Wide Receivers went to work orchestrating the game winning drive as Brady Collins caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Domico. Bald Eagle looked to answer and had the ball in Bison territory, but Colton Ryan and John Rowles stripped the ball from Bald Eagles Quarterback Carson Nagle to seal the 13-7 win and move to 6-1.
Week 8 @ Richland: The Bison traveled to another undefeated team, facing the Richland Rams, who are led by their Army Commit Running Back Evan McCracken. After a fast start for the Bison, Richland showed why they were 7-0 and dominated the first three quarters and held a 28-7 lead going into the fourth. The Bison then started to mount a comeback but ultimately fell short and lost 28-35 to a very good Richland team.
Week 9 @ Central: The Bison traveled to Central to play their third straight undefeated team. Central dominated the first half taking a 21-7 lead into the break, but the Bison have been a second half team all season long and they did not panic. The Bison mounted two drives on the backs of Collins and Chamberlain to tie it at 21. The next drive Central’s Quarterback was intercepted by Domico, and the Bison looked to have all momentum. The Bison were then plagued with penalties and had to give the ball back to Central, who then scored the go-ahead touchdown to make it 27-21. The Bison then put on a drive as Domico connected to Freeland and Collins for big gains, but with nine seconds left Domico was intercepted in the endzone and sealed the game for Central 27-21, as the Bison moved to 6-3.
Week 10 vs Chestnut Ridge: The Bison dropped two straight games against two undefeated teams, and they looked to bounce back on Senior night vs Chestnut Ridge. The Bison had a huge offensive game in the 42-33 victory over the Lions. Collins had his best game of the season, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns, along with Chamberlain who had 89 yards and a touchdown. Domico accounted for the other three touchdowns as he ran for two and connected with Freeland for the other.
The Bison ended the season strong with a 7-3 record, and as the number one seed in District 9. The Bison will face Punxsutawney in the District 9 Class AAA championship game on Friday, November 3, 2023, at EJ Mansel Stadium in DuBois.
