Mirror file photo Penn Cambria wide receiver Luke Shuagis catches a ball with Central junior defensive back Jacob Benton in pursuit during a game back on Friday, Sept. 9. The Panthers went on to defeat the Scarlet Dragons, 42-28. Central has not lost a game since that night. The Panthers have lost only once all season. The two play Saturday night at 7 at Mansion Park for a district title.
By Michael Boytim
Top-seeded Penn Cambria and third-seeded Central will meet in Saturday’s District 6 Class 3A championship at Mansion Park for the second year in a row, but this game feels a lot different going in than it did last season.
A year ago, it was the Scarlet Dragons who were the top seed. Central had dominated the Panthers in the regular season matchup and did so again in the final.
But that loss fueled a Penn Cambria team that comes into Saturday’s game the favorite and already owning a 42-28 win over the Dragons in Cresson earlier this season.
“This was one of our main goals heading into the season.” Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. “We wanted to win a District 6 championship. Credit to our team, our staff, community and administration for their support, but all year long our kids have done a great job at putting themselves in position week in and week out to have an opportunity to play for a championship, which is special. “
Standing in the Panthers’ way will be Central, the two-time defending District 6 3A champions.
“We’re a much improved team from the last time we played them,” Central senior quarterback Jeff Hoenstine said. “We’re going to have to be ready to go and put a lot of hard work and preparation in this week. We’ll be ready to go.”
Hoenstine tied the state record for career touchdown passes last week against Tyrone and will try and break the mark against the Panthers.
“Every team has improved throughout the season, but when you talk about some of the better programs like Central, they are going to do what they do,” Felus said. “There’s a reason why they are successful and have done some really good things the last two years. They are not going to change too much in what they do and their approach. They just keep getting better as the year goes on.”
Although the Panthers did what they needed to do to win the first matchup, Central likely didn’t play its best game — missing some opportunities both offensively and defensively — but it hasn’t lost a game since.
“We have to play better,” Central coach Dave Baker said. “We had some penalties that hurt us in that game. We did commit them. At times, we did not make tackles on their backs. We’ll have to do a better job at those things to stop them, because they are very good.”
Penn Cambria has excelled in close games this year, winning tight ones against Central (the Panthers scored a late touchdown to extend the lead), Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic and Bedford.
“We have a very resilient group of players who are battle tested,” Felus said. “Some of these seniors have been for four years in some of the games they have had an opportunity to play in. There’s no substitute for experience. Having an opportunity to play in some games where we had the lead, had to come back or grind it out in the fourth quarter obviously helps you out in a game like this.”
The rivalry between the teams has been slowly building. The schools also met last year on the court for a boys district basketball title.
“They are a great team,” Central junior Hunter Smith said. “We have to come prepared. We know they are going to put up a battle, but we expect to put one up too. We have lots of respect for each other. They have been great the last couple years with (senior QB) Garrett (Harrold) and the whole team around him. It’s going to be a great battle.”
Felus credits his improved offensive line and their ability to be better pass blockers as a difference this year in addition to some new playmakers to go along with Harrold and 1,000-yard rusher Zach Grove.
“I think Vinny Chirdon worked extremely hard this offseason and really developed into one of the better pass catchers and route runners in the area,” Felus said. “He’s shown that he can make some big-time plays in situations for us, and Luke Shuagis as well. He’s shown he’s a good route runner and has made some big plays.”
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