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BEDFORD -- The Central Cambria Red Devils rode a strong running game and clutch plays to take down the Bedford Bisons 21-13 at Bison Stadium.
Central Cambria ran behind an excellent performance from their offensive line, making way for star running back Ryan Chappell to string together a big night. He led the Red Devils to the victory, accounting for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.
"Whether it was our line providing holes, and Ryan (Chappell) finishing runs, whoever it was, we had a guy step up in a key moment," Central Cambria coach Wade Klezek said. "I'm proud of them, they didn't play scared and didn't play like not to lose. They wanted to win this game."
Chappell got the Red Devils on the board first with an eight yard rushing touchdown. Shortly after an interception by Ridge Kutchman gave them strong field position again. Bedford forced a fourth down, but that didn't matter as Mason Pittsinger chucked a ball towards Kutchman in the end zone and he brought it in with a defender on him for a 30 yard touchdown.
That gave Central Cambria a strong start, but Bedford immediately responded with a 58 yard touchdown by Carter Kozeliec.
The two teams held each other scoreless for the rest of the second quarter, but that stretch ended quickly after the half. Bedford went 71 yards in five plays, which was capped off by Kozeliec's second score of the night from seven yards out.
Central Cambria took nine minutes off the clock with a long drive, but Bedford forced a turnover on downs against their own seven yard line. The Bisons punted shortly after and Central Cambria went back down and scored this time on a 37 yard touchdown from Chappell.
Bedford began an attempt to respond, going right down the field and into the red zone. The Bisons threw it up in the end zone, and Central Cambria defender Brody Makosy got the interception, allowing the Red Devils to run the clock out with their second win in a row, putting them above .500 for the first time since 2023.
"The big thing is our senior leadership," Klezek added. "When you have 19 seniors and they care so much and they've battled so much for their whole lives, they want this moment. Every single second is important to them, so whenever that's the standard, a lot of people follow suit."
Play of the game: Makosy's interception sealed the deal for the Red Devils.
"It was just a broken play," Makosy said. "I saw the quarterback rolling out to my side and I knew he was going to throw a bad ball and I just went on the ball and played it."
Most vital statistic: Central Cambria's defense forced three turnovers.
Bedford coach Kevin Steele: "For the most part, we were able to control them outside of a few plays here and there. Our issue was more on our offensive side, just turning the ball over and not being able to score some more points."
Chappell: "It definitely feels good. Last week, they said they're more physical than us and I think we really proved who's more physical. Last year, we barely lost, and it feels realy good to get that one back."
Records: Central Cambria (2-1), Bedford (1-2)
Next week: Central Cambria travels to Johnstown. Bedford hosts Penn Cambria.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Central Cambria 14 0 0 7 -- 21
Bedford 7 0 6 0 -- 13
First Quarter
CC--R. Chappell 8 run (kick missed), 4:26.
CC--R. Kutchman 30 pass from M. Pittsinger (conversion good), 2:06.
B--C. Kozielec 58 run (K. Smith kick), 0:34.
Third Quarter
B--Kozielec 7 run (kick missed), 9:40.
Fourth Quarter
CC--Chappell 37 run (A. Conner kick) 6:05.
TEAM STATISTICS CC B
First downs 12 8
Total yards 256 240
Rushes-yards 48-225 20-149
Passing 31 91
Comp-Att-Int 2-7-0 5-12-2
Punts 3-31 2-47.5
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 5-45 3-30
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Central Cambria, Chappell 30-168, Pittsinger 16-51, Dawson 2-6. Bedford, Kozielec 5-76 Taylor 11-56, Eichelberger 4-17.
PASSING–Central Cambria, Pittsinger 2-7-0-31. Bedford, Taylor 5-12-2-91.
RECEIVING–Central Cambria, Kutchman 1-30, Dawson 1-1. Bedford, Livengood 3-28 Steele 1-21, Boone 1-39.