Special Teams Shine as Huntingdon Rolls Past Central 49-19

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News

Hunter Myers | September 27, 2025

HUNTINGDON — Central and Huntingdon faced off under the lights of War Veterans Memorial Field, where a strong momentum shift from Huntingdon’s special teams ignited an explosive third quarter, winning 49-19. The stands were packed, as fans from across the area gathered to watch their 4-1 Bearcats, enjoying their best start since 2017, under the shadow of Jack’s Mountain. The crowd witnessed a physical first half and an explosive second half dominated by Huntingdon’s offense, sparked by a huge momentum shift in the final minute of the second quarter.

Special teams is usually the overlooked third phase of the game, but not for the Bearcats. Entering the game, Huntingdon had already blocked three kicks in five games. Their return men averaged 21.4 yards on kickoff and punt returns, while K Kaiden Snare had recorded a touchback per game on average, leading the Bearcats to boast one of the best special teams units in the Laurel Highlands. They proved that again tonight, as Snare added two more touchbacks to go along with eight kickoffs that on average pinned the Dragons on on their own 20.5 yard line, forcing long drives all night. However, it was the punt return unit that swung momentum tonight, capitalizing on a fumbled snap by the punter. After a long 79-yard pass for Central, which was called back on a hold, their punter would fumble the snap. The Bearcats took advantage of the mistake, dragging P Adam Loucks down on the one-yard line, setting up a one-yard QB sneak by Elliott Guisler, to make the halftime score 21-13. Huntingdon head coach Tim Lucko said after the game “you have a tight ball game and then you have that happen, that was huge to go up 21-13 then come out of the second half with huge momentum and carry it through…”. Carry it through they did, as the Bearcats went on to score 28 unanswered points following the special teams stop.

Huntingdon began the game finding their rhythm, scoring on three out of four possessions and totaling 114 yards in the first half. However, their offense shined in the third quarter scoring 21 points, with 14 of those coming in the last 1:48 of the quarter. They gained 185 yards while burning almost 7 minutes of clock. Evan Edmiston was an integral part of the offensive explosion, rushing for a three yard touchdown, then taking over on the very next possession, with a 47-yard run followed immediately by a 15-yard touchdown, giving him three rushing scores on the night.  The Bearcats boasted multiple 100-yard rushers, as Edmiston finished with 150 yards while Erdman added 100 yards and a score. Kobe Carthen contributed on offense and defense, scoring the games first points on a seven yard reception, and housing a 71 yard pick-six in the fourth quarter ending any hope of a comeback.

A few plays either way could have flipped this game entirely. Despite the lopsided score, Central was seconds away from changing the momentum before the special teams miscue. Before the high snap the Dragons had scored 13 points, the same amount they had scored in the previous three games combined, and racked up 191 yards. After the fumbled snap the Dragons only managed six points and 69 yards before Huntingdon pulled their starters. The return of Jesse Muthler sparked the Dragons’ offense, producing their best statistical output since Week 1 against Philipsburg-Osceola, when they scored 24 points on 325 yards. Muthler threw for 118 yards and two touchdowns, allowing versatile playmaker Carter Schenk to contribute 105 yards and two more scores as both a rusher and receiver. Central’s defense also held strong early, led by DL Ethan Stern, stopping Huntingdon on three of five goal-line attempts inside the 10-yard line throughout the game. Central expected some woes after replacing nearly their entire offense this offseason, and tonight they showed flashes of what is to come.

Central is off to their worst start since 2006, when they started 1-5. Still, there are some positives for the Dragons, as their offense showed big improvements from a week ago, and are heading towards a more favorable stretch of their schedule, with their last four opponents combining for a 16-8 record and their next three sitting at 5-13. Huntingdon, meanwhile is enjoying their best start since 2017 when they started 6-0. With their 5-1 record, the Bearcats remain tied atop the PIAA District 6 Class 3A standings along with Penn Cambria and Forest Hills amidst a five team battle for just four playoff spots. However, Coach Lucko is not looking that far ahead, as his message to his players remains “I’m going to enjoy this one, but we’re still going to live in the moment because there is a lot of season left here”.

Next week Central (1-5) will travel to play Penns Valley (0-6), while Huntingdon (5-1) will travel to play Tyrone (3-2) in a pivotal Class 3A matchup.

Scoring Summary:

Central – 7 – 6 – 0 – 6 — 19

Huntingdon – 7 – 14 – 21 – 7 — 49

1st Quarter:

#7 K. Carthen 10 yard pass from E. Guisler. Huntingdon 7-0 6:48

#2 C. Schenk 20 yard pass from #4 J. Muthler. Central 7-7 1:04

2nd Quarter:

#26 (#33) E. Edmiston 7 yard run. Huntingdon 14-7 9:35

#9 B. Dickson 16 yard pass from #4 J. Muthler. Central 13-14 4:25

#14 E. Guisler 1 yard run. Huntingdon 21-13 0:26

3rd Quarter:

#26 (#33) E. Edmiston 3 yard run. Huntingdon 28-13 5:48

#26 (#33) E. Edmiston 15 yard run. Huntingdon 35-13 1:48

#44 L. Erdman 62 yard run. Huntingdon 42-13 0:00

4th Quarter:

#7 K. Carthen interception of #2 C. Schenk returned 71 yards. Huntingdon 49-13 9:39

#2 C. Schenk 1 yard run. Central 19-49 1:17

Box Score:

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