High School Football

Cambria Heights knocks off Central Cambria Red Devils

PATTON -- Cambria Heights held its home turf Friday night. The Highlanders now await their next game on arguably their second-favorite field.

Nolan Clawson figured in all four touchdowns as Cambria Heights doubled up Central Cambria, 28-14, in a District 6 Class 3A semifinal playoff game.

"Clawson was great tonight, and I thought our offensive line played great. For all the publicity (Central Cambria) got -- and deservedly so -- I thought ours was pretty darned good tonight," Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis said. "Their O-line and D-line are good. But I like ours, too."

Cambria Heights will make its second district championship game appearance in three years next Friday at Mansion Park.

"We're excited to be on the carpet next week, and we'll see what happens," Lewis said.

Central Cambria senior Ryan Chappell finished his season with 1,661 rushing yards. He scored both Red Devils touchdowns (66 and 4 yards) through a wind-driven mist that descended on AmeriServ Bank Field.

Play of the game: Colton Strong blocked a punt attempt by Jack Dawson midway through the second quarter. Heights took over from its 28, and Clawson ran 59 yards for the Highlanders' third touchdown of the night.

Player of the game: Clawson ran for three touchdowns (9, 59 and 12 yards) and threw 18 yards for another.

Unsung heroes: Two Cambria Heights freshmen made significant contributions. Hudson Snyder recovered a fumble by Central Cambria quarterback Mason Pittsinger. The turnover set up Clawson's first scoring run. Owen Thomas later recovered an onside kick that followed a first-quarter touchdown by Chappell.

Most vital statistics: Central Cambria held a 277-250 edge in total offense. Clawson ran for 157 yards. Chappell led the Red Devils with 138 rushing yards. Cambria Heights did not commit a turnover.

Change for the better: The Red Devils improved from 4-6 to 8-3 in a matter of just one season. "I'm forever grateful to this group,'' CC coach Wade Klezek said. "They breathed new life into Central Cambria football. They helped change the culture. And they worked their rear ends off from day one. They believed. They became a family. And it's everything you would want in a high school football team. I'm sure going to miss them. I love these guys. They set the bar high for what it is to be a Red Devil."

"These seniors really turned it around for us. Throughout junior high until now, we all stuck together," Chappell said.

Clawson: "We knew we had to come out and play our game. We just did that. ... The defense came up clutch."

Chappell: "I don't think we played the way we were supposed to. We were so much better than this team, and we didn't come out here and perform tonight. I don't know what it was. But I feel as though if we could do it again, there would be a different outcome."

Notable: Cambria Heights failed to convert its first two point-after kicks. A poor snap marred the first extra-point attempt. Central Cambria senior Hayden Gaunt blocked the second try, which followed a low snap. ... Nito Kutruff kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1.4 seconds left before halftime. The score followed a low snap on a Red Devils punt attempt. ... Camden Gray's first-quarter touchdown reception gave the Highlanders a 12-0 lead. He and Brayden DeArmitt caught two passes apiece. ... Central Cambria senior AJ Galli led all receivers with four catches for 35 yards. ... Pittsinger completed 12 of 27 passes for 126 yards. ... Friday's game was the first meeting since Sept. 18, 2020, when Cambria Heights was a member of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. The Highlanders have won six of the last seven games against Central Cambria.

Records: Central Cambria (8-3), Cambria Heights (11-0).

Next week: Cambria Heights will play Central for the district championship at 7 p.m. Friday night at Mansion Park. Central Cambria has finished its season.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central Cambria 7 0 0 7 - 14

Cambria Heights 12 10 0 6 - 28

First Quarter

CH - Clawson 9 run (no kick), 8:46.

CH - Gray 18 pass from Clawson (kick blocked), 5:39.

CC - Chappell 66 run (Conner kick), 4:01.

Second Quarter

CH - Clawson 59 run (Kutruff kick), 4:08.

CH - FG Kutruff 22, :02.

Fourth Quarter

CH - Clawson 12 run (kick failed), 11:06.

CC - Chappell 4 run (Conner kick), 7:06.

TEAM STATISTICS CC CH

First downs 15 13

Total yards 277 250

Rushes-yards 25-151 37-203

Yards passing 126 47

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 12-27-0 4-10-0

Punts-avg. 2-11.0 2-37.0

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0

Penalties-yards 4-35 3-25

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Central Cambria, Chappell 23-138, Pittsinger 10-19, Dill 1-(-1), TEAM 1-(-5). Cambria Heights, Clawson 21-157, Strong 9-37, Gray 2-6, DeArmitt 3-3, Lewis 1-1, TEAM 1-(-1).

PASSING--Central Cambria, Pittsinger 12-27-0-126. Cambria Heights, Clawson 4-10-0-47.

RECEIVING--Central Cambria, Galli 4-35, Makosky 3-32, Miller 2-20, Dawson 1-17, Dill 1-13, Sinosky 1-9. Cambria Heights, Gray 2-31, DeArmitt 2-16.