Central wins LHAC Championship
Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Brandon Maynard | October 28, 2023
Roaring Spring-Hunter Smith’s 3 first half touchdowns leads Central over Richland 43-15, to win the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Championship.
Richland (9-1) knew coming into the game it was going to be a tough task. Being down a few key players including 2 QBs and RB Evan Mccraken who is their leading rusher. The Rams turned to Senior Ethan Janidlo to make his first start since he was in JV as a sophomore, pulling him from the offensive line. They ended up winning the toss but decided to defer to the 2nd half. Central (10-0) got the ball and didn’t look back. 9 play 79 yard drive that was capped off with a 36 yard touchdown connection from QB Eli Muthler to Jack Dunn. Smith’s PAT was good making it 7-0. Janidlo and the Ram offense couldn’t get it going early on, not being able to move the ball leading to a punt. The Scarlet Dragons’s next drive started out promising, getting to midfield. The drive stalled out after a couple of incomplete passes by Muthler. Smith had a boomer of a punt barley sneaking into the endzone for a touchback. Richland started at their own 20, got to a 3rd and 4 before an incomplete pass forced them to punt. A high snap that went over Janidlo’s head and landed in the endzone. Janidlo got to the ball and was able to advance it to the 2 yard line, giving the ball over on down. It took Smith 1 rush to find the endzone for his first TD of the day. Central had a bad snap of there own on the PAT, as holder Lucas Black flips it to Smith who scrambled and found TE Jaxon Detterline for the 2pt conversion. Making the score 15-0 with 3:20 left in the first quarter. On Richland’s next drive, Janidlo threw up a pass in the middle of the field but was intercepted by Muthler for his 1st pick of the game. He ended up returning the ball to their own 32 yard line. Smith then took the 3rd and 1 snap out of the wildcat position up the middle, but quickly found space on the outside scampering 23 yards for his 2nd touchdown of the night. He added the extra point to end the quarter leading 22-0.
Richland started the 2nd quarter by getting their first first down of the game with a 10 yard run by Janidlo. That drive ended on a turnover on downs and Janidlo limping off the field. He did not return to the game. Central couldn’t capitalize on the good field position, and turned the ball over on downs themselves. Jamere Christian become the 3rd freshman and 4th overall QB of the year came into the game. His first pass was Muthler’s 2nd INT of the game, returning it all the way back to the 10-yard line. The teams each got their 1st penalties of the game, 8 minutes left in the half on back-to-back plays. On 2nd and goal, Smith rushed for his third touchdown on this Senior night to remember. He added the XP to make it 29-0 with 6:56 left in the half. The Rams, led by Christian drove down the field gaining 2 first downs on 42 yards rushing by the freshman. A holding call on 2nd down backed them up for a 2nd and 13. Back to back stops by Smith set up a 4th and 8 on their own 31 yard-line. Christian’s 4th down pass fell to the ground turning the ball over on downs. With 1:15 seconds left Muthler found Dunn twice including his 2nd 36 yard receiving touchdown of the night. Another PAT by Smith makes the score 36-0 with 55 seconds left in the half. Richland gained a couple first downs when the got the ball back but couldn’t find the endzone in the 1st half.
The second half moved quick with the mercy rule in effect most of it. The Rams got the ball to start, getting down to their own 38 yard line before turning the ball over on downs for the 4th time of the night. Central got the ball back with 7:36 left in the 3rd. Smith had his last carry of the game go for 34 yards giving them a first down. After a pair of incomplete passes from Muthler on 2nd and 3rd down, the Jr quarterback was then sacked by Declan Piscatello on 4th down to turn the ball over on downs. The Rams started the drive with a holding call that called back a big play. On 2nd and 17 , Easton Robertson busted a 63 yard rush getting tackled on the 10 yard line. The next play Christian connected with Arnold Mugerwa for a 10 yard TD pass getting Richland on the board. Noah Ritko PAT was good making it 36-7. The Rams were close to getting the onside kick, luckily for Central Austin Bassler fell on the ball. Central got the ball back with 2:19 left in the 3rd quarter. You really started to see Central take their starters out. Britton Marko ended the 3rd quarter with a 24-yard run, to the 10 yard line. “I liked our response in the second half”, said Richland’s Head Coach Brandon Bailey said. “We talked about playing every play to the bets of our ability and we did.’”
Marko found paydirt after 2 encroachment calls got them down to the 1-yard line, scoring a 1 yard TD. Aiden Steele added the PAT making the score 43-7. Richland had some confusion on the kickoff as no one caught the ball in the air landing to the 2-yard line. By the time Brayden Knepper collected the ball he was getting tackled by 3 Dragons. One the dragons grabbed his facemask drawing a penalty. Starting on their own 22, The Rams started what became their last drive of the game. Being led by QB Knepper they got 4 of their 12 first downs on the drive. A 23-yard run by Knepper on 4th and 5 gave Richland one of those first downs. Knepper put the ball in the endzone after a 1-yard touchdown run. Capping off a 16 play 78-yard drive. They got the 2 pt conversion with Knepper finding Ashton Roberts. Making the final score 43-15, giving Central their 1st LHAC Championship. “I thought it was good to have a championship game” said Central Head Coach Dave Baker. “I it was real good winning it.” Richland’s Top performers- J. Christian 6-11 46 yards 1TD 15 carries 62 yards and B. Knepper 1-3 11 yards 7 carries 46 yards 1TD. Central’s Top performers- E. Muthler 7-15 141 yards 2 TDs 2 carries 13 yards, J. Dunn 5 catches 122 yards 2TD and H. Smith 11 caries 79 yards 3 TDs 4-4 XPs 1 2pt Conversion.
The Scarlet Dragons will be in the Disrtct 6 3A Playoffs next and The Rams will be in the District 6 2A Playoffs.
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