Justin Wheeler's Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School football team got a taste of the big time last week, and it turned out to be more than a mouthful, as homestanding Richland ran away in a battle of 1-0 teams, 35-12.
"It was a big game for our kids, and that kind of atmosphere is kind of new to our kids," Wheeler said. "We got a chance to see that."
The Marauders will get to see it again on Friday when they host another team unfamiliar with the spotlight at 7 p.m. at Mansion Park. If you had told someone a couple of years ago that Cambria Heights and Guilfoyle would be squaring off in a game that will be pivotal to the Laurel Highlands Conference Section 1 standings and has potential long-term playoff implications, you probably wouldn't have been believed, but that is exactly the case.
Both teams are 1-1 with losses coming against Richland - Heights dropped a 38-20 verdict to the defending District 6 Class AA runner-up at home in its opener. The Highlanders and Marauders are the two most veteran teams in Section 1 of the LHAC with more than 30 returning starters between them.
Heights entered the season with big expectations after finishing 5-5 last year. Although it only went 1-8 in Wheeler's first year as coach, BG made it clear that it was vastly improved in its season-opener by blasting Bedford, 42-0.
"Justin's done a great job with them. They do a lot of things well. They have a lot of team speed, and I'm very impressed with how physical they've played in the first two games," Heights coach Jarrod Lewis, also in his second year, said. "We're focused on the fact that it's a Laurel Highlands game. It seems like every one of those games is big. We know it's going to be a tough game. We're just going to try to work hard and do things that turn out on our side."
Fact Box
The matchup
Game: Cambria Heights Highlanders (1-1) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders (1-1)
Where: Mansion Park, Altoona
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The coaches: Cambria Heights - Jarrod Lewis (6-6, second year); Bishop Guilfoyle - Justin Wheeler (2-9, second year)
Series record: Bishop Guilfoyle, 15-4
Last meeting: Cambria Heights, 34-19 (Sept. 16, 2011)
The Highlanders had to wait until Monday to get their first win after thunderstorms postponed their game at Westmont Hilltop from Saturday. Heights answered the bell by rushing for more than 300 yards - including 133 from Tyler Crawford and 50 from Donnie Contorchick - in a 36-18 victory.
"The first one always seems like the toughest to get. When you get it, it's a good feeling. I think the kids wanted to come out and make a statement," Lewis said.
The Highlanders have rushed for more than 200 yards in four of their last six games.
"Heights is definitely a team that likes to control the ball, so we cannot let them get up on us early," Wheeler said. "They have a tremendous group of backs. They ran the ball like 50 times against Westmont. We know we have to stop the run."
That's a very legitimate concern for Wheeler: Guilfoyle is allowing more than 5 yards per carry.
One thing that doesn't concern Wheeler, though, is the Marauders having a hangover after losing to Richland.
"I've been really happy with the way they've attacked this week. Our goals are to play our best each week and to get into the playoffs. One loss against a really outstanding football team doesn't really change their view," Wheeler said. "They came back ready to work."
Lewis and the Highlanders don't have nearly the same amount of time to put in the work to try to prepare for the Marauders after playing earlier this week.
"It obviously changed things significantly, but we have to adapt. I've told our kids we aren't going to make any excuses. We're going to make the best of it," Lewis said. "I think we're going to come out and be ready to play."
Guilfoyle's biggest offensive weapon through two games has been quarterback Brandon Chadbourn, who ran for 166 yards against Bedford and has thrown for 227 yards total. Nate Nardelli caught two passes for 128 yards against Richland, and fullback Cody Rossman has more than 100 yards on the ground while averaging nearly 5 yards per carry.
"They have a very talented quarterback, and we have to try to contain him. He is a big-play game-breaker," Lewis said. "We're going to try to limit the big plays."
While Heights prefers power and Guilfoyle counters with quickness, both teams possess similar size up front. Which can most effectively impose its style will get an early leg up on some of their LHAC Section 1 competition.
"This is an evenly-matched game," Wheeler said.
FACTBOX: The matchup
Game: Cambria Heights Highlanders (1-1) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders (1-1)
Where: Mansion Park, Altoona
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The coaches: Cambria Heights - Jarrod Lewis (6-6, second year); Bishop Guilfoyle - Justin Wheeler (2-9, second year)
Series record: Bishop Guilfoyle, 15-4
Last meeting: Cambria Heights, 34-19 (Sept. 16, 2011)
