Youth Football alive and well in the Tri-County!

Tagged under: District 6, Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Greg Ricupero | October 22, 2023

Youth Football alive and well in the Tri-County!@Heritage_Confer @CH_Highlanders @IASDAthletics @HCWildcatSports

The Tri-County Youth Football League which has 13 schools in Armstrong, Cambria and Indiana counties played their 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade championships last night at Shannock Valley’s Tom Brewer Field. It has been 23 since Shannock Valley and Dayton high schools merged to become West Shamokin. The day started with a flag football game between Cambria Heights and Penns Manor. The Highlanders prevailed 12-0.

Homer-Center Bears vs Shannock Valley Wolves

The 3rd/4th grade game featured two high powered offenses who play smothering defense. Something had to give.  The defenses would win on this day. After both teams initial drives you would have bet on the offenses. The Wolves got the ball and first struggled to move the chains until Jameson Kaplon broke loose for an apparent touchdown. It looked like an easy touchdown as he broke into the open, but Bear Armani Young catch him from behind and brought him down inside the five. Two plays later quarterback Kolt Wilson snuck it in from a yard out. The conversion failed and the Wolves led 6-0. The Wolves then attempted an onside kick which was recovered by the Bears. It took one play to tie the score. Bear quarterback Chase McAnulty hit back Locke Householder at the line of scrimmage on a quick pass. Householder ran thru Wolves defense looking like Barry Sanders. The conversion failed and it was 6-6 with three and a half quarters to go. The Wolves next possession was stopped on fourth down when Bear Carter Barney shoot thru the line and dropped the runner for a loss. The Bears punted on their second possession. The Wolves had 51.7 seconds to score but came up empty and we went to the half at 6-6.

Both teams moved the ball a little and punted to start the third quarter as the teams fought for field position. The Bears then went on a time consuming sixty yard drive which used up the rest of the third quarter and part of the fourth quarter. Householder and McAnulty accounting for most of the yards. Householder transformed from Barry Sanders to Earl Campbell. He ponded the Wolves defense. Householder would score from five yards out with 6:45 to go in the game, the conversion failed and Homer-Center led 12-6. The Wolves got the ball and started to slowly move it down field chewing up yards and time. Householder made a possible game saving tackle and then blew up a play with a bruising hit. The Wolves the Bears to jump offside twice to gain first downs. But after getting the ball inside the Bear 30 they committed a false start which made it fourth and nine. The Bears came up with the stop. Householder made a touchdown saving tackle on the final drive and did his best Ronnie Lott impression when he hit a Wolf runner and knocked him back five yards. Householder was able to get another first down forcing the Wolves to use all their time outs. The game was over and Homer -Center was taking the trophy home 12-6.

Locke Householder is a special ball player. He looks like a normal kid but this kid has real skills. He is one of the smaller kids on the field but had a great game on a grand stage. Coach Page will definitely be looking for Householder in the future.

HC 6-0-0-6=12

SV 6-0-0-0=  6

SV-Kolt Wilson 1 run xp run ng (0-6) 3:14

HC- Locke Householder 50 pass from Chase McAnulty xp run ng (6-6) 3:01

HC-Householder 5 run xp run ng (12-6) 6:45

Indiana Indians vs Cambria Heights Highlanders

II      0- 0- 0- 0= 0

CH 16- 8- 6- 6=36

The 5th/6th grade was a one sided affair that was dominated by the Highlanders offensive line. Coached by varsity Head Coach Jarrod Lewis Cambria Heights led from start to finish. It was impressive to just watch them switch two or three kids in every play and run the same plays to perfection. Indiana at the end of the first quarter had negative yards before they put Anakan Powell at quarterback. Angelo Rank was outstanding for the Highlanders playing just over a half and ending his day with an unbelievable kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half.

For more pics & videos

Follow me on Twitter @GregoryRicupero

Or visit my Facebook Page

Gregory Ricupero Sports Network

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews