Nolan Engle Scores First Touchdown of the Season, Purchase Line Football Outlasts Rival Northern Cambria, 34-22

Tagged under: District 6, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News

PFN Staff | September 8, 2026

Written by Isaac Markle

Sophomore quarterback Nolan Engle scored two rushing touchdowns on 136 yards, star runningback Zander Davis scored a 41-yard touchdown on his 17th birthday, and the Red Dragons outlasted their rivals, the Northern Cambria Colts, for their first victory of the season.

Purchase Line’s opening drive was entirely played on the ground, which proved effective as Davis broke away from the Colts defense to open the scoring on a 41-yard run following what was a rather lackluster offensive performance against Conemaugh Township a week prior.

Northern would immediately respond with an explosive 64-yard reception by senior Daniel Farrell. Though the point after was shanked, the touchdown served as a statement that this game would be won by offense.

On the ensuing drive, Nolan Engle found a gap in the Colts defense to quickly set the Dragons back up inside the 30. Maddox Frantz would finish the job with a 26-yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Purchase Line.

Northern Cambria made their way to midfield on the next drive, but Red Dragons inside linebacker Tate McCullough recovered a fumble to make what was the first defensive stop of the game on either side. Frantz would take another hand-off and make it 21-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Northern Cambria came into the second quarter with a purpose, putting together yet another efficient drive that would allow senior runningback Judd Dumm to score a 3-yard touchdown along with a two-point conversion to pull his team back within a score.

The two teams’ defenses would, for the first time all game, assert themselves with quick outings, capped off by a blocked Northern Cambria punt that set up Purchase Line inside the ten. Engle took advantage, lining up under center for the first time in his young career and pushing past the defensive line into the end zone to make it 28-14.

Despite a threatening drive put together by the Colts offense, they would be stifled on a 4th-and-1 situation, allowing Engle and the Dragons to walk off the field at halftime with a two-possession lead.

Coming back onto the field for the second half, the defenses ruled much of the third quarter, with both PL and Northern keeping the score as is until Engle stunned the Colts defense with a 54-yard breakaway to make it 34-14. Due to a botched snap and a recovery attempt by Frantz that came up short, the score would stay such going into the final quarter.

The quarter started with another clutch defensive stop by the Dragons, though it would lead to a three-and-out of their own and a blocked punt by Northern for their third touchdown of the game. Levi Czar converted on the two-point, pulling his team within 12 points with less than 7 minutes to go.

They would then force a punt near midfield and look to continue inching closer, but despite an efficient offensive drive, the Dragons swarmed the backfield on fourth and short, making a stand that would all but seal their first victory of the 2026 season.

“The win (Friday) night was awesome,” said Purchase Line head coach Matthew Falisec following the win, “We did not perform in the fourth quarter as I would have liked but we were able to hold on and get a gutsy win. I was very proud of how we competed and how we played, now we need to put a full 48-minute performance together.”

Northern Cambria suffered a second loss following their 35-28 Week One loss at Homer-Center, and Purchase Line bounced back from a season-opening loss against Conemaugh Township, which had a final score of 28-9.

Next week, Purchase Line will continue its two-game Cambria County road trip as they visit Cambria Heights to square off against the 2-0 Highlanders. Meanwhile, Northern Cambria will host 0-2 United Valley in search of their first win of 2026.

Photos by Ray Kauffman:

Northern Cambria senior Daniel Farrel tries to catch Purchase Line sophomore quarterback Nolan Engle as he rushes the ball.

Purchase Line running back junior Zander Davis rushed for 41 yards to score a touchdown against the Northern Cambria Colts.

Purchase Line senior running back Matthew Johnston tries to escape a Northern Cambria defender.

Purchase Line running back Zander Davis blocks for quarterback Nolan Engle as Engle keeps the ball and runs.