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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
After finishing .500 and making it to the District 6 Class 3A championship game in 2021, the Penn Cambria high school football team has been on a steady ascension through the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference rankings.
The Panthers have won nine games in each of the last two seasons and fell in the district final once again in both of those years -- last season by a single score to Central, the four-time defending champion.
Now they are ready to take the next step and win the school's first football District 6 title. That journey starts Friday night when Penn Cambria hosts Richland at 7 p.m.
""It would mean a lot," Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. "We have never won a district championship. Obviously, we have been close. We just haven't had a chance to finish the job. Our kids, that's their goal. But they understand the Laurel Highlands is first. Richland is first. We have to make sure we're playing good football Week 1.
"You see the schedule we play each week. You have to be prepared. One of their goals is a district championship, which would mean a lot to our community, but we have a lot to do before that."
Despite its recent resurgence, Penn Cambria has lost seven straight to Richland. However, the last two losses have been by seven and five points, respectively. The Rams have been arguably the best team in the area in Class 2A the past decade and lost to Bald Eagle Area in last year's District 6 2A final.
"Brandon Bailey does a great job with their program," Felus said. "He does a lot of stuff offensively with different formations and shifts. They are always a tough team that's always good up front. They have very good skill players, and they are an all-around very good football team."
Knowing Richland is coming to town Week 1 has heightened the offseason urgency in Cresson.
"It really helps the offseason workouts," Felus said. "Knowing your Week 1 opponent is a quality opponent like Richland, all offseason it becomes your focus to be ready. We have a countdown going on how many days until Richland."
Bailey agreed that playing a top opponent to open the season has accelerated the preparation process.
"It brings a sense of urgency to both the players and the coaches," Bailey said. "They are well coached in all facets of the game with a veteran quarterback and a lot of players back at the skill positions. It's similar to us in that way. Both teams have a lot of skill players back."
Penn Cambria has several star players back, but Gavin Harrold may be one of the most versatile in the state.
"Prior years we have been working hard, but this year I feel like we've definitely stepped it up a little bit in the offseason," Harrold said. "This is definitely the year. We have been playing together the whole way through. The team chemistry is there."
Derek Hite, who committed to Virginia Military Institute recently to continue his football career and who will lead the defense, likes what he's seen in camp and over the offseason.
"Everyone is motivated," Hite said. "We have been there three years now, and to lose it three times, you don't need more motivation than that. Especially because this is our last year, our last shot at it. We want to go all out, our whole senior class."
The last few Richland-Penn Cambria games have been played in Johnstown, and the Panthers are ready for their opportunity to welcome the Rams to Cresson.
"We haven't played them at home since the first year I was coaching here," Felus said. "It's been about five years since we have played them at home, and with our community and our student section, everything about playing at home we're excited about."
They are hoping this is the first step in a historic season.
"I feel like the town would shut down (if Penn Cambria won the District 6 title)," Hite said. "We haven't won a district title in our school's history, so it would be crazy."
A win Friday would be a great start.
"Winning this game will be a really big springboard for whichever team comes away with it," Bailey said.