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The large recreation
Who: Penn Cambria at Central, 7 p.m.
Radio: MIX 94.7-FM
Information: Each groups are 4-0 general and within the Laurel Highlands Athletic Convention
Coaches: Nick Felus is 15-38 in six seasons, together with 8-15 in three years at Penn Cambria and 7-23 in three seasons at Altoona. Dave Baker is 211-207-11 in 41 seasons, together with 85-37 in 10 years at Central and 126-170-11 in 31 years at Williamsburg.
Final week: Penn Cambria received, 41-14 at Somerset. Central received at house, 49-13 over Central Cambria.
By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
The Central Excessive College soccer workforce’s first season within the Laurel Highlands Athletic Convention is coming into a pivotal juncture.
The Scarlet Dragons host Penn Cambria in a matchup of unbeaten 4-0 convention groups at 7 p.m. tonight on the Roaring Spring Athletic Discipline.
Over the next two weeks, Central will go to defending District 6 Class 2A champ Richland on Oct. 1 and host returning PIAA Class 3A state semifinalist Bedford on Oct. 8 in convention showdowns.
The outcomes of these video games will go a good distance in figuring out whether or not Central can win the LHAC championship this season.
“I’d say for us that the subsequent three weeks goes to find out whether or not we’ll win the convention this yr, as a result of we shall be taking part in the groups which have one of the best information up to now,” Central coach Dave Baker stated.
“And undoubtedly, Penn Cambria is one of the best workforce that we’ve performed so far this season,” Baker added.
Tonight’s recreation is huge for Penn Cambria as properly. Like Central, the Panthers are 4-0 in convention play.
“It looks like Richland, Bedford, Central and us shall be taking part in one another throughout this stretch of schedule,” Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus stated. “Heading into this a part of our schedule is large for us.
“We knew that when Central joined the Laurel Highlands Convention this yr that they’re the returning District (6 Class 3A) champions, so we’re undoubtedly enthusiastic about this problem that we’re going to face towards them Friday night time. Now we have a chance to go there and compete, and to see what we are able to do.”
Each groups function excellent junior quarterbacks who’re the centerpieces of their offensive assaults.
Penn Cambria’s Garrett Harrold is a three-sport star who stands 6-feet-3 and is a twin risk each working and passing the ball.
Harrold has accomplished 45 of 76 passes for 723 yards and 7 touchdowns, whereas dashing for a team-leading 589 yards on 58 carries and 6 scores.
Returning all-state choice Jeff Hoenstine spearheads a Central offense that has averaged over 47 factors a recreation. The rifle-armed Hoenstine has accomplished 61 of 84 passes for 1,070 yards and 19 touchdowns, whereas throwing only one interception.
Each coaches could have their eyes on the opposing quarterback.
“Clearly, Hoenstine is an excellent soccer participant,” Felus stated. “He not solely has the power to increase performs, however he does such an excellent job earlier than the ball is snapped, realizing the place to go together with the soccer.
“He has a fast launch and he has quite a lot of playmakers that he can unfold the ball round to,” Felus added. “There’s not only one receiver that he’s trying to go to when he passes the ball.”
Certainly, Central has three receiving targets — sophomore Hunter Smith (17 catches for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns), senior Parker Gregg (13-247-2) and junior Eli Lingenfelter (10-251-4) who’ve double-figure reception totals. Gregg can also be Central’s main rusher with 393 yards on 35 carries and 4 TDS.
Senior wideout Devon Boyles, who stands 6-feet-5, has eight catches for 169 yards and 5 touchdowns, and senior tight finish Ethan Eicher has seven receptions for 134 yards and 4 scores.
With Harrold on the controls, Penn Cambria’s offense can also be fairly potent, averaging over 34 factors per recreation, and scoring over 40 factors in each of its final two outings.
“Their essential offensive risk is their quarterback Harrold,” Baker stated. “He can each go and run, and during the last couple of weeks, he’s been doing quite a lot of working with a pair hundred yards dashing each weeks. He’s clearly an excellent passer, however the important thing for us shall be stopping his working recreation. If we are able to do this, it’ll assist our possibilities quite a bit.”
Junior again Zach Grove has rushed for 334 yards on 48 carries and 5 touchdowns for Penn Cambria, whereas catching 11 passes for 224 yards and three TDS. Seniors Zach Broad (11 catches, 116 yards) and Cole Eberhart (10 catches, 148 yards, two touchdowns) are additionally huge elements of Penn Cambria’s passing recreation.
Felus has been happy along with his workforce’s dashing assault behind an offensive line that features middle Ryan McGonigle, guards Mason Raymond and Andrew Wyland, and tackles Nick White and Kayden Logan, with H-back Vinnie Chirdon additionally offering blocking assist.
Grove, like the remainder of his Penn Cambria teammates, is relishing the problem that Central will pose.
“Coming into this recreation at 4-0, we’re actually feeling it,” stated Grove, a three-year starter on each offense and protection. “We all know that Central goes to be a troublesome recreation, however we actually do suppose that we now have an excellent shot towards them, and we’re going to come back into the sport able to win.”
