D6 AAA Football Championship Game Preview: Penn Cambria vs. Central

Tagged under: District 6, News, Playoffs

Brian Ingalls | November 8, 2022

The D6 AAA football playoffs consisted of three teams; #1 Penn Cambria, #2 Tyrone, and #3 Central.  So, Penn Cambria had a bye for the first round and Central beat Tyrone 35-14.  This Friday will be the D6 AAA Championship held at Mansion Park at 7pm.  Last year, Central beat Penn Cambria 42-7 in the D6 AAA Championship.  Central went on to lose in the state semifinals 35-21 to the eventual AAA Champion Central Valley.  Central’s QB Jeff Hoenstine was last year’s PIAA AAA player of the year.  Penn Cambria is ranked #7 in the state and Central is #10 in the state.  Check out all the rest of the Pa Football News rankings here: PFN Rankings .

#1 Penn Cambria (9-1) vs. #3 Central (9-2)

This will be a battle between two of the best quarterbacks in PA. Jeff Hoenstine is poised to break the states all time touchdown passing record held by Port Allegany’s Matt Bodamer. They are tied at 137. Garrott Harrold is tearing up the field this year. Penn Cambria had a bye last week and last played on 10/28 when they beat Chestnut Ridge 42-17.  The well-rested Panthers will hope they don’t come out rusty against the Dragons.  Central with Hoenstine has the offense to jump out early if Penn Cambria starts slow.  Penn Cambria needs to hope they can slow down Hoenstine like they did in the first meeting.  Penn Cambria needs to keep a well-balanced offense with Harrold passing and running and Grove rushing.  This will keep Central and Hoenstine off the field.  Central players have the playoff experience from their deep run in the state playoffs last year.

Central beat Tyrone 35-14 last week in the D6 AAA semifinal.  Central held Tyrone scoreless in the second half, had 5 sacks on the night, and held Tyrone to 9 yards rushing and 207 total yards.  Hoenstine was 13-19 for 147 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs.  Senior RB Kade Rhule had 15 carries for 118 yards and 1 TD.  Junior RB Hunter Smith rushed 12 times for 126 yards and 1 TD.

Penn Cambria’s only loss this season was to undefeated Richland (#6 AA Ranked) 48-42 on 10/14.  You can read Leo Murray’s game recap and photo gallery here: A Battle for 8-0, Richland Rams end Penn Cambria’s win streak .  Central also lost to Richland 35-28 on 9/2.

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Central’s other loss came from Penn Cambria.  Central and Penn Cambria played on 9/9 and Penn Cambria won 42-28.  This game was tied a 28 going into the 4^th quarter.  Then Penn Cambria’s Senior RB Zach Grove scored 2 TDs in the final quarter and Penn Cambria held Central scoreless in the final period.  Grove rushed 21 times for 131 yards and 2 TDs on the night.  Senior QB Garrett Harrold was 17-21 for 232 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs and rushed 20 times for 114 yards and 2 TDs for Penn Cambria.  Penn Cambria held Central to 63 yards rushing in the game.  For Central, Senior standout QB Jeff Hoenstine was 21-36 for 293 with 4 TDs and 0 INTs.  Senior WR Eli Lingenfelter had 6 receptions for 125 yards and 2 TDs.  You can read Leo Murray’s game recap and photo gallery here: Redemption for Penn Cambria .

The winner of this game will play the winner of the Clearfield / Saint Marys game next week.

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