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Cambria Heights is 6-0 against Homer-Center since the Highlanders joined the Heritage Conference in 2021.
Heights has taken over a role the Wildcats once held -- top dog of the Heritage Conference. The last two meetings with Homer-Center have been blowout wins, but the Wildcats have a chance to steal the conference title from Heights with a win at home on Friday night.
"It's why you play and why you work so hard," Homer-Center coach Greg Page said. "We have had a pretty good program over the years. We stubbed our toe a couple years in 2023 and 2024. We decided we had to start doing some things differently to get back into contention with some of these teams like Cambria Heights.
"Our kids are excited. I know they are, because they have been talking about Heights for a few weeks. I told them we needed to get there first. Now, we'll prepare for probably the best team we have played this season. It's very good to get to Week 9 and have meaningful games. This conference has a lot of pride, so for us to be mentioned in this part of the conversation -- we are honored to have that."
If Homer-Center can beat undefeated Cambria Heights on Friday and take care of business next week against Portage, the Wildcats would be the conference champions alone due to the tiebreaker by beating the Highlanders this week.
Homer-Center took a big step forward last year with an 8-4 campaign that included a District 6 Class 1A playoff win over Moshannon Valley after two straight 2-8 seasons.
"We lost some tough kids from last year's team that was really successful," Page said. "Our concern was trying to replace some of that toughness, but we have really had some kids step up. We have had really good senior leadership. Several kids played key roles last year, but we have had some up front on the line and a receiver that are seniors who have stepped up and replaced some guys we lost. It took a little time.
"We had an interesting game the first week where we won in double overtime over Northern Cambria and stubbed our toe against Marion Center, but we have continued to get better. Our kids have been playing loose and having fun. That's something you always look for."
Cambria Heights has gone 57-13 overall since joining the Heritage Conference and won District 6 championships in both Class 1A and 2A. The Highlanders are playing at 3A this season and are currently the top seed, however 7-1 Central is just 10 power points behind Heights.
"I do think we're playing better," Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis said. "I thought the last couple weeks we have taken steps. I think we took another step this week. I think we're going to continue to do that. We played our best game (against Conemaugh Township), but I wouldn't say it was complete. I think we can take it to another level, and we're going to need to. This game is for the conference championship. It's exciting. There's a lot at stake. We may have to be at our best and even take the next step this week."
Lewis said the Heritage Conference title means a lot to his team.
"It's a chance for the team to cement their legacy," Lewis said. "You want to be remembered. Whether that's putting a banner up in the gym or outside the field. You want to be remembered as a team that won a conference championship, because that's a great accomplishment. It was a nice accomplishment last year, but I think it was also not as nice as a three-way tie. Winning it outright would mean more, and this is an opportunity for this team to cement their legacy and leave their mark on the program. It's important, and it's something we are very proud of."
For Page, there isn't just one thing that stands out about Cambria Heights.
"It's everything," Page said. "I mean that. They are doing some things -- they have some good athletes and then they have a couple that take it to another level. Obviously (Nolan) Clawson and (Brayden) DeArmitt get a lot of the ink and a lot of the scores. They are the main two, but then they have the (Camden) Gray kid, Colton Strong that runs it well inside and is also a great linebacker and Bryce Lewis is sneaky in the pass patterns and also their top defensive player. Their line is also always tough with strong kids that weigh quite a bit in a good way. They are hard to move and do everything well."
But Homer-Center, the current No. 2 seed in Class 1A in District 6 behind only Bishop Guilfoyle Academy, also presents problems for its opponents.
"They are an all-around good football team," Lewis said. "You'll see a variety of formations. You'll see some tight formations. You'll see some heavy formations, and they will also spread you out. It's definitely a team that's going to make you play your best every down."
And Lewis doesn't believe this is the same Homer-Center team that went to double overtime with Northern Cambria to open the season.
"They have gotten significantly better," Lewis said. "They have outstanding coaching with Greg Page and his staff. I'm not surprised that they have gotten better, because he is an amazing coach. If you look at his resume, when he's got tough kids and smart kids that have speed, that's what really makes his teams go and continue to get better.
"They are big and physical and really fly to the ball well. They have a number of quality defensive players. Offensively, it all starts with the (Carson) Arone boy at quarterback. He's a great passer and great runner. He's a dual threat. That makes defensive gameplanning difficult."