Cambria Heights big fourth quarter leads to victory over Richland!

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Greg Ricupero | November 16, 2024

Cambria Heights back to back D6 Titles with impressive win over Richland!

D6 2A Championship Game from Mansion Park in Altoona

#2 Richland Rams (10-2) at #1 Cambria Heights Highlanders (12-0)

Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference vs Heritage Conference

Common Opponents

Bishop McCort vs Richland 34-0 vs Cambria Heights 24-17

Last Meeting D6 Championship 11/6/20 CH 6 @Richland 27

Key Matchup-Total Yds-Rush-Rec-KR-PR

Ram Austin Yarnick 1443-838-495-57

CH Trey Trybus 1483-518-576-135-254

RR PF 33.9 PA 15.0

CH PF 36.7 PA 5.8

In the first of two LHAC vs Heritage Conference District 6 Championship Matchups this weekend the Cambria Heights Highlanders beat the Richland Rams 42-21. If you follow me you know I cover the Heritage Conference. The Heritage Conference is a tough little league. When the playoffs roll around there are a lot of people who discredit the teams from the Conference. The Highlanders last night won their second straight D6 title by beating their third straight opponent from the LHAC. They beat Bishop McCort & Bellwood-Antis the previous two weeks.

The game didn’t start out as the Highlanders planned. They fumbled on their first offensive play. Richland came out passing and scored on their second play. Freshman quarterback Jacob Regan hit Austin Yarnick in stride for the games first touchdown. It was a lot different start than in last year’s D6 title game where the Highlanders jumped out early and often. The Highlanders didn’t panic. If you watch CH play you know they like to wear their opponents down with their offensive line. The Highlanders stuck to the run game while the Rams mixed the pass and the run. Both teams made little progress on their next two possessions and punted. The Highlanders started their fourth possession as the first quarter ended.

The Highlanders converted a fourth and one, on a defensive penalty and would go 73 yards in five and a half minutes. Most of it on the ground but the last 19 on a screen pass from Isaac Weiland to Luke Mulraney. The game was tied. The Rams are a very good team and bounced right back. They would go 72 yards in just under four minutes. Joe McAneny busting in from three yards out to put the Rams back on top.

The Highlanders not to be outdone went 82 yards in three and a half minutes. Marshall Eckenrode scoring the first of his two touchdowns. The teams went to the half tied at 14-14.

The second half was all Highlanders! Jamere Christian who had a big night returned the opening kickoff into Highlanders territory. But three plays later on fourth and four Regan’s pass was batted down at the CH 41. The Highlanders had started to move the ball in the second quarter when they went to the Wildcat offense with Stephen Nelen running the show. On their first play of the second half Nelen faked a handoff and ran straight up the middle 59 yards for the go ahead score. Richland got a big 40 yard pass play on their next possession, taking the ball to the CH 30. But four plays later they were stuffed on fourth and two. The Highlanders would then drive 67 yards using up over seven minutes. A 29 yard field goal was blocked, so the lead remained seven. But the drive took a toll on the Rams defense. On the game’s next play Regan was sacked and fumbled. Marshall Eckenrode recovered the ball at the Rams 19. The game went to the fourth 21-14.

Trey Trybus would score from seven yards out to give the Highlanders a 14 point lead. Richland would fail to convert a fourth down for the third time in the half and the Highlanders had the ball at the Rams 44. Trey Trybus score his second touchdown of the half with just under six minutes to play. But the Rams didn’t give up. Another long kickoff return and a quick drive capped by Regan’s second touchdown pass. This one to Christian, cut the lead back to 14. The onside kick was recovered by CH. Three plays later Eckenrode broke loose for a long touchdown run and the game was over. The Rams turned in over on downs and the Highlanders took a knee. Final 42-21. Cambria Heights will play Central Clarion next week.

⁦@PaFootballNews⁩ ⁦@CH_Highlanders⁩ ⁦@rhsfootball⁩ https://t.co/WPEDyUSKpZ

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) November 16, 2024

RR 7- 7- 0- 7=21

CH 0-14-7-21=42

R-11:01 Austin Yarnick 34 pass from Jacob Regan xp Noah Ritko (7-0)

CH- 8:02 Luke Mulraney 19 pass from Isaac Weiland xp Cameron Abrams (7-7)

R-4:14 Joe McAneny 3 run xp Ritko (14-7)

CH- 0:43 Marshall Eckenrode 4 run xp Abrams (14-14)

CH- 10:16 Stephen Nelen 59 run xp Abrams (14-21)

CH-10:15 Trey Trybus 7 run xp Abrams (14-28)

CH-5:59 Trybus 3 run xp Abrams (14-35)

R-4:30 Jamere Christian 5 pass from Regan xp Ritko (21-35)

CH-2:58 Eckenrode 36 run xp Abrams (21-42)

Stats

-7 of the 9 touchdowns were by different players

-The Highlanders defense which allowed less than six points a game totally shutdown the Rams offense in the second half.

-Thanks to the Highlanders offensive line they were able to control the ball for over 15 minutes in the second half.

Players of the Game

Rams

#13 Austin Yarnick -scored first touchdown, played well on both sides of the ball

#9 Jacob Regan – only a freshman, his passing kept them in the game

#63 Austin Blough – anchored both lines

Highlanders

#11 Marshall Eckenrode -two touchdowns, big fumble recovery

#26 Stephen Nelen – Wildcat offense was huge

The entire offensive line

#65 Tristan Weakland

#74 James Holtz

#56 Jack Sherwood

#50 Braylon Rydbom

#70 Hayden Leamer

#87 Garrett Jasper -College coaches this young man needs an offer-tight end running the Wildcat – great punter- tough as nails -huge heart – and does whatever is needed