PC earns ‘special’ win over Rams
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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
CRESSON -- For Penn Cambria, the wait is over.
The Panthers opened their season by controlling rival Richland, 22-8, and snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Rams before a big crowd Friday night at Panther Stadium.
"This atmosphere was electric, and we're hoping we made everybody proud," Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. "Richland was the only team we hadn't beaten since the new coaching staff took over so it is special."
Play of the game: On second and long from the Richland 20, Penn Cambria defensive tackle Jack Eckenrode sacked Rams quarterback Grayson Mahla, who fumbled, and Thomas Plunkett recovered in the end zone to give the Panthers a 22-8 lead with 4:13 left in the second quarter.
Eckenrode: "I try to stay hungry and play aggressive, but that was definitely a thrill. This is a great way to kick off the season."
Player(s) of the game: Penn Cambria got a balanced effort from its top skill players, so let's go with a tip of the cap to its interior lines, which opened holes for nearly 200 yards rushing and pressured Richland into two second-half interceptions.
Felus: "I thought we did what we were expecting as far as running the ball and playing good defense. Hats off to the toughness that our group showed."
Sealing the deal: Plunkett's interception inside the PC 5-yard line with 7:39 remaining iced the win.
Unsung hero: Versatile Mason Mento averaged 4 yards per carry, played well on special teams and delivered a crunching hit in the second half.
Most vital statistic: Penn Cambria dominated the first half, outrushing Richland 137-0 and running off 32 of the game's first 41 plays.
Richland coach Brandon Bailey: "We just couldn't get it going on offense. Guys just kept taking turns making mistakes. Even in the second half, when we'd get momentum, we'd take two steps forward and one step back -- penalties, drops and things uncharacteristic of who we are. This hurts, but we played a good football team, and we'll learn from it."
PC linebacker Derek Hite: "A lot of things didn't go our way in the game last year (26-21 loss). We thought we should have won that game, and we had a year to think about it."
Panther cornerback-receiver Marcus Eckenrode: "We started in seventh grade trying to beat them. Finally doing it means everything."
Notable: PC quarterback Brady Jones, who rushed for 58 yards, was injured in the second half and Gavin Harrold stepped it to run the offense and pick up a couple key fourth-quarter first downs on the ground ... Harrold rushed for 75 yards and caught two passes ... Jones did return to punt ... Blake Lilly also intercepted a pass for the Panthers.
Records: Penn Cambria (1-0), Richland (0-1).
Next week: Penn Cambria visits Philipsburg-Osceola; Richland hosts Huntingdon.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Richland 8 0 0 0 -- 8
Penn Cambria 8 14 0 0 -- 22
First Quarter
PC--Harrold 10 run (Jones run), 7:25
R--A. Mugerwa 71 pass from Mahla (Mahla run), 6:35
Second Quarter
PC--Harrold 2 run (Harrold pass from Jones), 7:54
PC--Plunkett recovered fumble in end zone (pass failed), 4:13
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
TEAM STATISTICS R PC
First downs 9 15
Total yards 184 253
Rushes-yards 23-50 44-192
Yards passing 134 61
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 12-25-2 4-13-0
Punts-avg. 4-43.5 6-24.6
Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-0
Penalties-yards 8-50 5-37
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Richland, McAneny 7-17, Mahla 12-16, Christian 2-9, Yeager 1-8, Yarnick 1-0. Penn Cambria, Harrold 14-75, Jones 11-58, Plunkett 11-46, Mento 6-23, Team 2-(-10).
PASSING--Richland, Mahla 12-25-134. Penn Cambria, Jones 4-12-61, Harrold 0-1.
RECEIVING--Richland, A. Mugerwa 3-84, Yarnick 5-24, Christian 3-14, McAneny 1-13. Penn Cambria, Harrold 2-26, Hite 1-21, M. Eckenrode 1-14.