Cambria Heights downs Northern Cambria in Coal Bowl Classic!

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Greg Ricupero | September 21, 2024

Heritage Conference Game of the Week

Cambria Heights Highlanders (4-0) at Northern Cambria Colts (4-0)

Last Meeting 11/10/23 D6 Single A Playoffs CH 21 @ NC 12

Coal Bowl

All -Time series Colts or Highlanders depends on who you ask. 24-23-1 (Playoffs1-1)

CH PF 37.0 PA 4.75

NC PF 37.5 PA 3.00

In a battle of the last two undefeated Heritage Conference teams, the Cambria Heights Highlanders won 21-14.

The teams both came into the game scoring 37 points a game and allowing less than 5 points. So you knew something had to give. This is the big rivalry game so even if one of the teams is having a down year, it is usually a war.

Most big games are decided by turnovers or big plays and this game was no different. The Highlanders ended up making one more play. The teams were evenly matched. If there was a difference it was in the special teams. The Colts had three punts that went for five yards, negative five yards and a fake from inside their own 30 which didn’t work. The unfortunate thing is these teams wouldn’t meet in the playoffs for a third straight year as the Highlanders moved up to 2A.

The first quarter :

Highlanders 3 possessions -3 punts -8+ minutes -worse field possession their own 30

Colts 2 possessions- punt & TD- field possession own 1 & 28

The Highlanders controlled field possession thanks to special teams. Garrett Jasper had two great punts. Some local college needs to offer this young man a scholarship. He plays multiple positions (TE-FB-LB), he’s as tough as they get and he can punt. Northern Cambria elected to field two punts inside their own ten. They were tackled at the one on the first punt and fumbled the third punt at their own four. CH should have recovered it as they had two men there and the ball in their hands. After the second punt, Ty Dumm threw a short pass that went for 62 yards and would score the games first touchdown two plays later.

Dumm 13 TD @PaFootballNews @CH_Highlanders @colts_nc @Heritage_Confer pic.twitter.com/FuCej0DtHR

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 20, 2024

The second quarter:

Colts 3 possessions- 2 punts & half -7+ minutes-1st punt (minus 5 yards hit up-man)

Highlanders 2 possessions -punt & TD

The Colts managed to move ball from the shadows of their own end zone only to have a minus 5 yard punt. The Highlanders capitalized on the short field and tied the game at seven. The Colts changed punters and Trey Pershing was able to flip the field with a nice punt but time ran out in the half as both teams kept the ball on the ground.

7-7 620 2nd Nelen 4 run @PaFootballNews @CH_Highlanders @colts_nc @Heritage_Confer pic.twitter.com/x6HLucwoqz

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 20, 2024

The third quarter:

Colts 3 possessions- 2 punts & TD-9 total plays

Highlanders 3 possessions- Turnover on downs, TD & had ball entering the 4th-8+ minutes

The Colts went to the air to start the second half and three plays later faked a punt from their own 30. Pershing didn’t get close. The Highlanders got a big run from Stephen Nelen but a holding penalty and three straight negative plays saw them facing a fourth and 28 from the Colts 30. Isaac Weiland’s pass was broken up near the Colts end zone. The Colts would go three and out again and punt. This punt went five yards. This time the Highlanders took advantage of the short field. Jaxxon Kline would punch the ball in from a yard out and CH had it’s first lead. The Colts would need just 46 seconds and three plays to tie the game. After a good kick return, Ty Dumm ran the option to perfection taking the ball inside the Highlanders 20. Two runs from Gage Shonsky tied the game at 14-14. CH had the ball in Colts territory as the fourth quarter started.

Kline 1 run 14-7 @PaFootballNews @CH_Highlanders @colts_nc @Heritage_Confer pic.twitter.com/gCaWg2581a

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 21, 2024

14-14 059 3rd @PaFootballNews @CH_Highlanders @colts_nc pic.twitter.com/4eAVkNy6lY

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 21, 2024

The fourth quarter:

Highlanders – 3 possession- Turn over on downs, TD, end of the game-9 minutes of possession

Colts -2 possessions- Punt & Turn over on downs

The Highlanders were stopped on a fourth and four from inside the Colts 40. The Colts had another three and out and punted. CH got a big punt return to the Colts 40. The Colts defense came up big forcing a fourth and twelve but a defense pass interference allowed the Highlanders to continue the drive and they cashed it in. NC got the ball one last time and drove into CH territory before being stopped on fourth and two, The Highlanders would run out the clock.

Eckenrode TD 21-14 401 4th @PaFootballNews @CH_Highlanders @colts_nc pic.twitter.com/uQ3gewTIf8

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 21, 2024

Key Stat-beside special teams miscues -Highlanders had 30-18 minute possession advantage -which allowed them to wear the Colts down

Play of the Game

⁦PLAY OF THE GAME BY #50 Braylon Rydbom @PaFootballNews⁩ ⁦@colts_nc⁩ ⁦@CH_Highlanders⁩ ⁦@Heritage_Confer⁩ pic.twitter.com/HhlzTUehah

— Gregory Ricupero (@GregoryRicupero) September 21, 2024

CH 0- 7- 7- 7=21

NC 7- 0- 7- 0=14

NC -Ty Dumm 13 run xp Trey Pershing 3:54 (0-7)

CH- Steven Nelen 4 run xp Cameron Abrams 6:20 (7-7)

CH- Jaxxon Kline 1 run xp Abrams 1:45 (14-7)

NC- Gage Shonsky 8 run xp Pershing 0:59 (14-14)

CH- Marshall Eckenrode 3 run xp Abrams 4:01 (21-14)

GRSN PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Colts -Ty Dumm is my man! But tonight was about the battle in the trenches.

#50 Ben Messina was a force, made some big plays on defense.

Highlanders -Garrett Jasper is my man! But tonight it goes to the man in the middle.

#50 Braylon Rydbom -the center of the offensive line which started to take over in the second half and the man of the hour!