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MARION CENTER -- Colton Strong's 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter stood as the game's only score as Cambria Heights outlasted Marion Center, 6-0, in a Heritage Conference football showdown at Dr. John R. Mallino Stadium on Friday night.
The Highlanders, who lost twice to Marion Center in 2025, claimed sole possession of first place in the conference.
Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis earned the 100th victory of his coaching career.
"I don't want it to be about me. It's all about the kids, and they were resilient and they went after it," he said.
Plays of the game: Sophomore Brock Wharton intercepted Marion Center junior Troy Slovinsky at the Cambria Heights 33 as part of an 11-yard return with 5:23 left in the third period.
"I was just staying disciplined. Reading my keys was my entire goal. And once I saw the ball I got it," Wharton said.
Harrison Snyder recovered a fumble at the Marion Center 20 on the Stingers' next possession.
Players of the game: The starting quarterbacks dazzled on a night in which yardage was hard to come by. Cambria Heights junior Nolan Clawson rushed 24 times for 115 yards. Slovinsky rushed for a game-high 124 yards to lead the Stingers.
Unsung hero: Snyder recovered a fumble and stopped Slovinsky 4 yards short of a possible first-down to bring an end to Marion Center's last possession with 1:56 to play in the final period.
Most vital statistics: Neither team managed more than 250 total yards. Marion Center attained a slight edge, 238-220. The Stingers committed eight penalties, including six in the second half, for 70 yards.
Coach Lewis: "I thought there was too much speed to hold it to 6-0. But I'm proud of the way the kids played. They were resilient, and they fought."
Lewis on the path taken to the century mark in victories: "It's sweet. But I want to thank all my coaches who have coached with me along the way, all the players who have played for me along the way. That's truly what it is about. That's why I keep doing what I'm doing."
Marion Center coach Adam Rising: "I said to the guys we would have to play very clean football when you're playing a team at your level. Two turnovers and multiple penalties at the wrong time of the game (are) momentum killers and drive killers."
Wharton: "We come in with the same mind-set every single week. And we play at the high standard that we set."
Notable: Strong contributed 55 rushing yards on 14 attempts. ... Alec Brudnock recovered a fumble by Strong at the Marion Center 33 on the possession that followed Strong's touchdown. The Stingers advanced to the Cambria Heights 10 but stalled after a holding penalty. ... Cambria Heights was flagged five times for 35 yards. ... Cambria Heights kicker Nito Kutruff missed field-goal attempts from 37 and 33 yards. ... Clawson completed 2 of 10 passes for 10 yards but did not throw an interception. ... Slovinsky completed 6 of 17 passes for 86 yards. ... Brudnock led all receivers with three catches for 47 yards.
Team records: Cambria Heights (4-0), Marion Center (3-1).
Next week: Cambria Heights visits Northern Cambria, and Marion Center plays host to West Shamokin on Friday night.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Cambria Heights 0 6 0 0 -- 6
Marion Center 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Second Quarter
CH -- Strong 2 run (run failed), 9:09.
TEAM STATISTICS CH MC
First downs 7 13
Total yards 238 220
Rushes-yards 30-152 49-215
Yards passing 86 10
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 6-17-1 2-10-0
Punts-avg. 5-35.9 4-35.5
Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 8-70 5-35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Cambria Heights, Clawson 24-115, Strong 14-55, DeArmitt 5-39, Snyder 1-4, Team 5-(-8). Marion Center, Troy Slovinsky 16-124, Phillips 4-17, Fabri 3-8, Haggerty 4-8, Trent Slovinsky 1-3, Team 2-(-8).
PASSING--Cambria Heights, Clawson 2-10-0-10. Marion Center, Troy Slovinsky 6-17-1-86.
RECEIVING--Cambria Heights, DeArmitt 1-5, G.Orosz 1-5. Marion Center, Brudnock 3-47, Phillips 1-28, Trent Slovinsky 1-6, Fabri 1-5.