Richland offense warms up after cold start to capture District 6 title. @rhsfootball @CH_Highlanders

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News

Garrett Mock | November 7, 2020

The rather warm afternoon turned to blistering cold as the sun set and the stadium lights turned on. The players took to their sidelines, the first whistle blew for the kickoff, and the PIAA District 6 AA Championship title game began with a squib kick from the Richland Rams. The very short stoppage from the Richland Rams foreshadowed the entire first half, empty of remnants from their previous battle in Week 3.

“They had completely changed their defense,” said junior quarterback Kellan Stahl. “In Week 3, they had a 4-2 defense, but this time they had a 5-2 with split outside linebackers, so it was hard to adjust.”

Both stellar defenses were highlighted by large hits and loss of yards for both teams. In the first half, each team only scored once, with Stahl scoring the first touchdown for the Rams, and Ryan Bearer passed to tight end Joseph Snedden. Both teams missed their two-point conversions, which left the score at halftime six to six.

Stahl said that they needed to change their attitudes and passion to another level—and that’s precisely what they did. After a very stagnant third quarter without much highlights, the fourth quarter was an absolute battleground for Kellan Stahl. Stahl finished the game with four touchdowns, which was all the touchdowns for the Rams. The Highlanders began to fall apart when the Rams gathered momentum, which featured Stahl running into the endzone for small quarterback keeps, which mostly spurred from their speedy, hard-hitting defense.

Graydon Lewis, who often carried the ball when it wasn’t in Stahl’s hands, and Sam Penna each had two interceptions on the Cambria Heights Highlanders, not to mention several forced fumbles from both sides of the team. The sudden offensive surge from Stahl and the consistent, explosive defense of the Rams ultimately overpowered the Highlanders.

“These guys played their hearts out,” said head coach Jarrod Lewis. “They played for not only themselves, but for every Highlander football fan out there, and I’m extremely proud of them.”
Lewis, the newest head coach to Cambria Heights, has been transforming their team from seldom wins to potential D6 champions. It was, unfortunately, not enough to quarrel the suffocating defense brought by the Rams.

For Stahl and company, tonight’s three-peat of District 6 titles for the Richland Rams comes as a huge celebration for players, coaches, and fans alike.
“This is the first time in Richland history that we’ve won three titles in a row,” said the quarterback with an ecstatic smile across his face. “We’re super pumped about that.”

Richland moves on to face the ever powerful Southern Columbia Tigers and Cambria Heights, what a valiant effort!

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