PATTON — Marion Center scored 15 points in the final three minutes to knock off Cambria Heights, 29-22, in round one of the District 6 2A playoffs at Cambria Heights Stadium on Friday.

After a 26-25 Marion Center win in week 4 of the regular season, Cambria Heights was looking to flip the script in the first round. Like the first matchup, it was complete back and forth all game long. No team had more than a one-possession lead at any point in the game.

The momentum swings were intense, as was the wind. The wild weather actually flipped the momentum multiple times as the punts ranged from 4 yards to 73, putting the ball in key spots on the field.

Cambria Heights got on the board first with a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Nolan Clawson, set up by a 34-yard reception by Brayden DeArmitt.

The Highlanders were in complete control defensively, until an 8-yard punt gifted the Stingers great field position. It wasn’t wasted as Camden Rising found Alec Brudnock for a 22-yard touchdown. Marion Center extended the lead shortly after with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Rising.

The Highlanders came out of the half firing as Kaiden Ivory hit Carson Lobick for a 38 yard gain. Then Ivory found Clawson in the end zone for a 23 yard score, tying the game.

Cambria Heights got the ball back but was forced to punt. Its punt went 73 yards, setting Marion Center up at the 1-yard line. The Stingers fumbled and recovered in the end zone for a Heights safety. The Highlanders immediately followed with a touchdown from Ivory to DeArmitt from 37 yards out. With the chance to make it a two-score game on the extra point try, Brudnock blocked it, leaving the score at 22-14.

Following five punts, Marion Center got the ball back with less than three minutes to go. Rising hit Troy Slovinsky, and he made a few defenders miss for a 51-yard touchdown. Rising tied the game up by running it in for the two-point conversion.

Heights attempted to drive down the field for the win, but Slovinsky got an interception.

A play later, Rising threw it up for Brudnock, and he took it all the way for a go-ahead, 86-yard touchdown. Cambria Heights attempted a “Hail Mary,” but Slovinsky intercepted it again, sealing the quarterfinal victory.

Play of the game: Brudnock’s 86-yard touchdown reception for the win.

Player of the game: Rising threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion.

Unsung hero: Slovinsky intercepted two passes and caught seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Most vital statistic: Cambria Heights averaged 270 rushing yards per game entering the game and only rushed for 98.

Marion Center coach Adam Rising: “It was definitely a dog fight back and forth. I thought our defense stepped up really well. They played the run game really well, which is their strength. Credit to (Heights) coach (Jarrod) Lewis and staff. It’s just a great football game for us to come back and get our play-makers the ball in space.”

Lewis: “We had our opportunities in the fourth quarter. Offensively, we had a drive there, and if we get a first down, we can keep killing the clock. Defensively, we’ve just got to make some plays. That’s what it comes down to.”

Brudnock: “Earlier in the third quarter I got (the defender) to bite on my slant fake, so I knew that would be there. Cam threw a perfect ball, and to be honest with you, I thought they were going to catch me.”

Notable: Heights completely shut down the run, allowing just 39 yards.

Records: Marion Center (10-1); Cambria Heights (9-2).

Next week: Marion Center travels to take on McCort-Carroll in the semifinals. Heights’ season is finished.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Marion Center 0 14 0 15 — 29

Cambria Heights 7 0 15 0 — 22

First Quarter

CH–Clawson 4 run (Kutruff kick), 7:41.

Second Quarter

MC–Brudnock 22 pass from Rising (Troup kick), 5:22.

MC–Rising 1 run (Troup kick), 0:52.

Third Quarter

CH–Clawson 23 pass from Ivory (Kutruff kick), 9:13.

CH–Safety, 4:20.

CH–DeArmitt 37 pass from Ivory (kick failed), 2:36

Fourth Quarter

MC–Slovinsky 51 pass from Rising (Rising run), 2:24.

MC–Brudnock 86 pass from Rising (Troup kick), 0:35.

TEAM STATISTICS MC CH

First downs 8 10

Total yards 292 265

Rushes-yards 22-39 28-98

Yards passing 259 167

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 16-20-0 10-19-2

Punts-avg. 7-33.14 5-33.8

Fumbles-lost 3-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 7-44 3-25

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Marion Center, Rising 7-11, Phillips 9-16, Fabri 3-13, Slovinsky 3-(-1). Cambria Heights, Clawson 9-48, Ivory 5-24, Gray 4-11, Strong 4-19, Warner 2-5, DeArmitt 4-(-9).

PASSING–Marion Center, Rising 16-20-3-259. Cambria Heights, Ivory 9-18-2-167, Clawson 1-1-34-0.

RECEIVING–Marion Center, Brudnock, 7-159, Slovinsky 7-90, Phillips 2-10. Cambria Heights, DeArmitt 4-92, Lobick 1-38, Clawson 2-34, Lewis, 2-11, Dutko, 1-(-1).