River Valley 35 Marion Center 7 in Heritage Conference Clash!

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Greg Ricupero | October 18, 2025

River Valley dominates Marion Center to create 3 way tie in the Heritage Conference!

GRSN Heritage Conference Game of the Week

River Valley Panthers (7-1) at Marion Center Stingers (8-0)

Last Meeting 10/11/24 MC 21 @ RV 28

D6 Rankings MC#2 RV#6

Offense PPG MC 35.00 RV 32.13 Defensive PPG RV 13.25 MC 14.38

This game meant more than just a conference title; it was for seating and a home game in the D6 playoffs. Marion Center was probably the favorite playing at home and being undefeated. The Cambria Heights Highlanders beat the Panthers in week #2 and the Stingers beat the Highlanders in week #4. I picked MC to beat the defending champion, Highlanders. But I didn’t pick this game because the Stingers really haven’t played well since. I told a recent MC alumni before the game I didn’t think they would win. They have struggled in the first half; they have been undisciplined and haven’t played for 48 minutes. The Panthers since the loss have beaten everyone by 3 touchdowns except United Valley. The Panthers totally dominated this game, it was never in doubt.

It is important in the big games not to commit penalties or turn the ball over.

The Panthers got the ball first and moved it to midfield. On fourth and eight they faked the punt, but the Stingers were ready and stopped it short. The Stingers quarterback Camden Rising hit Troy Slovinsky on a short pass & then hit#7 on a 48-yard pass to the RV 5-yard line. The penalties and turnovers would soon start. MC went backwards after a TFL and a penalty. When I picked CH to beat RV in week #2, I told Coach Lewis #10 was the man stop. Sophomore Jake Woodring was outstanding tonight and my player of the game. he would pick off Rising at the RV 5, his first of two on the night. The Panthers would drive 95 yards in four and a half minutes for the game’s first touchdown. The big play wasn’t from the Panthers huge offensive line but a Max Persichetti 48-yard pass to Junior Brendan Brezinski, who was uncovered for some reason. Woodring would score from eight yards out and RV led 7-0.

The Panthers would never trail. The Stingers muffed the kickoff, went three and out & punted. The Panthers converted a fourth and eight when Woodring ran for a first down on a run-pass option. The Stingers who have a very good defense, held and Cole Heckathorn delivered a 41-yard field goal. The drive used almost half a quarter. The Stingers next drive ended with a Woodring interception at their own 29. A defensive personal foul allowed the drive to continue, and Persichetti sneaked in from a yard out. The unnecessary personal fouls have been a problem all year for MC, and opposing teams know they just need to push a few buttons. Troy Slovinsky had a nice kick return to set the Stingers up from their own 40, but three plays later it was fourth and four and they set up to punt. No one was covering the end man, but the Stingers punted losing a golden opportunity. the Panthers ran out the half and went into the locker rooms up 17-0.

The second half started like the Richland game last year, the Stingers were ready for a comeback, and they didn’t cover the second half kickoff. This time it was an onside kick. A great call by Coach Ed Dalton who actually waited about 18 minutes to use all three timeouts tonight. The Panthers would drive 51 yards to the MC 2 before settling for another Heckathorn field goal. The drive used almost five minutes. The Stingers didn’t give up and drove to the Panthers 21 before Rising was sacked on a fourth and five. The Panther defense played lights out all night. The Panthers would drive 42 yards before fumbling the ball on fourth down at the Stinger 33. The Stingers would finally score going 67 yards in just over two minutes. The big play a Rising to Troy Slovinsky reception. Rising capped the drive with a 5-yard run. It was now 20-7. There was still over nine minutes left and one of the Stingers strengths has been their kickoff team. They rolled the dice with an onside kick. Hunter Adair made the play of the game fielding the kickoff and running to the MC 1-yard line. Brody Hutter plowed in from a yard out and the two-pointer made it 28-7 RV. MC would fumble on their next possession, and it was recovered by Michael Wano. Persichetti would cap the drive with a beautiful scrambling throw to Adair for a touchdown. The last five minutes lasted forever but the game finally ended.

D6 Rankings

#1 Bishop McCort – can’t be caught

#2 Richland -Matchup TBD if they win they finish 2nd

#3 Cambria Heights plays West Shamokin (should win)

#4 River Valley plays Northern Cambria (they should win) if they win will jump over Cambria Heights

#5 Marion Center plays Penns Manor (should win)-a win sets up a Heritage Conference Rematch either at CH or vs RV

#6 Mount Union plays Meyersdale toss up

#7 Bellwood Antis – Matchup TBD

#8 United Valley plays Purchase Line (should win) Lions can’t finish lower than 8th could move up to 7th

RV 7 10 3 15=35

MC 0 0 0 7 = 7

P-Jake Woodring 8 run xp Cole Heckathorn (7-0) 141