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JOHNSTOWN — Ryan Chappell and the Central Cambria Red Devils used a dominant run game to take down the Greater Johnstown Trojans 40-13 at Trojan Stadium, advancing to 3-1 for the first time since 2023.
The Red Devils were once again led by star running back Chappell who accounted for 235 yards and four touchdowns on the ground on 31 carries. That evened out to about 7.6 yards per carry, giving Central Cambria a reliable option to go to on any down.
"I think the outside was there all night long," Chappell said. "My guys got a push and the stock blocks were amazing too. They always come through for me and I got to give credit to them."
The offensive line controlled the game for Central Cambria, led by five seniors who started last season and that experience has paid dividends to the Red Devils' strong start.
"I think we just have that chemistry," Central Cambria left tackle Hayden Gaunt stated. "We all know what we're supposed to do. We've been together for so long and we're like a family. Our saying is five is one and that's just true. That's what we go by."
Central Cambria got it started on their first drive of the game, running right down the field, allowing Chappell to tally his first score of the night from three yards out. After an interception from Johnstown's Elijah McLean, the Trojans answered with a 14 yard touchdown from Ranson Goggans to Ronnison Edwards.
Then before the half, the Red Devils extended their lead to 14-6, following a four yard score from Chappell.
To begin the third quarter, Central Cambria forced an early punt and Chappell made multiple big plays and ended the drive with a 28 yard touchdown. Then the Red Devils recovered an onside kick.
That led to another long drive, finished by Chappell's fourth touchdown of the night. After that, Central Cambria recovered another onside kick and that led to Mason Pittsinger finding Avery Cooper for a 37 yard touchdown.
Johnstown did get a chance on offense after that and put together a strong drive, allowing Cordell Porter to score. Central Cambria wrapped up the scoring with a five yard touchdown from Noah Ray, sending the Red Devils with a three game win streak, heading into a big rivalry game against Penn Cambria.
Play of the game: Chappell's 28 yard touchdown ignited a big momentum swing, allowing the Red Devils to quickly put this game away.
Most vital statistic: Central Cambria got the ball back on three kickoffs. The first came from a fumble recovery following their opening touchdown and then two onside kick recoveries in the second half.
Central Cambria coach Wade Klezek: "We were a little sloppy in the first half, and I think we just tried for too many big plays or tried to make everything happen all at once. We came out in the second half, we cleaned some things up, and we took it one play at a time... If you want to be a great playoff team or a championship team, you have to make sure that you're great with the details and make the small things the most important because they become the big things."
Johnstown coach Tony Penna: "We had a rough preparation week. Central Cambria is a good football team. You have got to have a full week to play a good game... We just have to be more consistent. They run a ball downhill and it's physical. I think eventually they wore us down, credit to them, but we just got to be better prepping during the week."
Records: Central Cambria (3-1), Greater Johnstown (1-3)
Next week: Central Cambria heads to Penn Cambria. Greater Johnstown travels to Westmont-Hilltop.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Central Cambria 7 7 13 13–40
Greater Johnstown 0 6 0 7–13
First Quarter
CC–R. Chappell 3 run (A. Conner kick), 5:07.
Second Quarter
GJ– R. Edwards 14 pass from R. Goggans (kick missed), 6:53.
CC– Chappell 4 run (Conner kick), 2:52.
Third Quarter
CC–Chappell 28 run (kick missed), 6:06.
CC–Chappell 4 run (Conner kick), 0:23.
Fourth Quarter
CC–Conner 37 pass from M. Pittsinger (Conner kick), 11:48.
GJ– C. Porter 1 run (Z. Jacobs kick), 9:10.
CC– N. Ray 5 run (kick missed), 1:57.
TEAM STATISTICS CC GJ
First downs 21 6
Total Yards 393 138
Rushes-yards 54-352 22-36
Passing 41 102
Comp-Att-Int 2-7-2 5-10-0
Punts 3-30.3 1-29
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards 7-66 3-23
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Central Cambria, Chappell 31-235, Pittsinger 14-68, Dawson 5-21, Ray 4-28. Greater Johnstown, Porter 9-24 Ran. Goggans 5-6, Goodman 1-4, Jacobs 1-3, Haye 1-4, McLean 4-0, Rah. Goggans 1(-5).
PASSING–Central Cambria, Pittsinger 2-6-2-41. Greater Johnstown, Ran. Goggans 5-10-0-102.
RECEIVING–Central Cambria, Conner 1-37, Sinosky 1-4. Greater Johnstown, Goodman 2-70 Edwards 2-30, Porter 1-2.