Football

Panthers plow into PIAA quarterfinals

SIDMAN -- Familiarity with an opponent during the state playoffs is not very common, and it's a lot less likely that they will hail from the same conference.

However, that was exactly the case when Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference members Somerset and Penn Cambria squared off in the first round of PIAA Class 3A state playoff action.

While the two schools didn't meet this regular season or last year, the Panthers have claimed four of the last five meeting, including three straight, following a five-game winning streak by the Eagles dating back to 2013.

On Friday night, it was all Penn Cambria as the District 6 champion rolled over District 5 champion Somerset, 40-0, at Forest Hills' G.H. Miller Memorial Field.

"We're very familiar with Somerset and what they do, and Coach (Jeff Urban) is doing a great job," Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. "Offensively, they are doing some things similar to what we've been doing the last few years and they are doing it well. ... This is our first state playoff win in school history (for football), so no matter who the opponent is, we're going to enjoy this one. We're going to enjoy it quickly and then turn the page quickly."

The Panthers will face District 10 champion Hickory in the PIAA quarterfinals next weekend.

Sequence of the game: Leading 14-0 following a Mason Mento 27-yard touchdown run, Penn Cambria forced Somerset into a three-and-out situation. PC's Blake Lilly fielded Colt Hagans' punt at the Somerset 47 and returned it 43 yards to the Eagles' 4. Thomas Plunkett powered his way across the goal line on the first play, and the Panthers stretched the lead to 22-0 when Brady Jones connected with Gavin Harrold on the two-point conversion with 4:25 remaining in the opening half.

"The people we have blocking for us do a great job. Without them, we obviously can't get there," Lilly said. "I was running down and I thought, 'Oh, I might get there (end zone).' I just got pushed out but, hey, we get opportunities and we don't always make the most of them. But we made the most out of what I got."

Players of the game: Not only did the Penn Cambria defense hold Somerset scoreless, but it was the dominant way it did it. In the first half, the Eagles had six possessions with all six ending in punts. The Panthers allowed just 21 total yards in the opening two quarters as well.

"They (defense) are outstanding," Felus said. "Our defensive staff does a great job. It starts with film study, Sunday meetings and coming up with a game plan. We have a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism and we're physical."

Unsung heroes: The PC special teams played a huge role in the opening half. Harrold returned the opening kickoff 49 yards that helped set up his own direct snap 37-yard TD run three plays later to make it a 7-0 PC lead. The senior's first punt return was 9 yards that later led to the Mento score, while the second he took back 15 yards where he found the end zone himself six plays later on a 3-yard run with 42 ticks to go in the first half to make it 28-0. ... In addition to the huge 43-yard punt return, Lilly took one 27 yards in the first quarter that unfortunately ended in a Somerset interception by Maverick Swank off Harrold.

"I'll tell you, we have two guys (Harrold and Lilly) that are electric," Felus said. "Those guys, when they touch the ball, good things happen."

Most vital statistic: In the first half, while the Penn Cambria defense was limiting Somerset to just 21 yards, the offense racked up 202, including 169 on the ground. For the game, the Panthers held a 362-85 advantage in yards.

"Coach Felus does a phenomenal job -- I have no excuses because that (Penn Cambria) was a better football team tonight," Somerset coach Jeff Urban said.

Notable: In the second half, Plunkett, who rushed 12 times for 50 yards, added his second 4-yard TD to make the score 34-0 before Lilly caught a pass from Jones and raced 55 yards to paydirt with 2:43 left in the third to set the final and kick the mercy rule running clock into effect. ... Harrold had five carries for 59 yards, while Mento added four for 51. Jones was 8-of-9 passing for 138 yards, including 103 after the break. Derek Hite caught two passes totaling 56 yards. ... Grant Gides made a diving interception of a Lane Lambert pass that set up the Plunkett score in the third, while Trentyn Hassenplug picked off Hagans with 2:04 left to allow PC to run out the clock.

Records: Somerset (4-8); Penn Cambria (13-0).

Next week: Somerset's season is complete; Penn Cambria will play Hickory next Friday or Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

"Our goal when we started -- even back in summer workouts -- was playing for a district title," Urban said. "We got there, played a good Brockway team and played the best game we've played all season last week. Unfortunately, football is just like life, you've got to show up everyday to work. This team is a bunch of hardworking young men."

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Somerset 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Penn Cambria 8 20 12 0 -- 40

First Quarter

PC--Harrold 37 run (Harrold run), 10:26.

Second Quarter

PC--Mento 27 run (run failed), 6:24.

PC--Plunkett 4 run (Harrold pass from Jones), 4:25.

PC--Harrold 3 run (run failed), 0:42.

Third Quarter

PC-- Plunkett 4 run (kick failed), 8:11.

PC--Lilly 55 pass from Jones (kick failed), 2:43.

TEAM STATISTICS S PC

First downs 6 12

Total yards 85 362

Rushes-yards 25-46 39-224

Yards passing 39 138

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 10-23-2 8-10-1

Punts-avg. 8-29.5 2-30.5

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 3-25 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Somerset, Lowery 9-19, Lambert 5-(-7), Holmes 7-24, Miller 4-10. Penn Cambria, Harrold 5-59, B. Jones 4-28, Plunkett 12-50, Mento 4-51, Beck 7-11, Davison 3-13, Shall 1-0, Latterner 1-5, N. Jones 1-8, TEAM 1-(-1).

PASSING--Somerset, Lambert 6-11-1-18, Hagans 4-12-1-21. Penn Cambria, B. Jones 8-9-0-138, Harrold 0-1-1-0, Davison 0-0-0-0, Latterner 0-0-0-0.

RECEIVING--Somerset, Sanner 2-4, Parry 2-11, Dunmyer 2-(-4), Stephens 1-9, Dibuono 1-1, Anderson 1-16, Miller 1-2. Penn Cambria, Harrold 1-2, Hite 2-56, Eckenrode 2-10, Plunkett 1-8, Lilly 1-55, Gides 1-7.