Cambria Heights hasn’t been a member of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference the past four seasons, but the Highlanders’ path to the District 6 Class 2A championship game might seem like old times.
Coach Jarrod Lewis’ undefeated and top-seeded squad will face second-seeded Richland at 7 p.m. Friday at Mansion Park Stadium.
The Rams (10-2) are the third straight LHAC opponent the Highlanders, now a member of the Heritage Conference, have faced in the 6-2A field.
“In spite of being the top seed, I think we played two of the tougher teams in the bracket,” Lewis said of a quarterfinal win over McCort-Carroll Catholic (24-17) and a semifinal victory over second-year LHAC member Bellwood-Antis (15-8). “I’m proud of the way our kids battled. We overcame adversity in both of those games. I’m hoping we will play our best football.”
Cambria Heights won the program’s first District 6-1A championship in 2023 and reached the PIAA quarterfinals. The Highlanders moved to Class 2A this year.
United Valley vs Richland | Football
United Valley running back Collin Nedrich (left) gets chased down by Richland linebacker Joe Penna during the first quarter at Herlinger Field on Friday, November 1, 2024.
“Richland is a perennial powerhouse,” said Lewis, whose Highlanders are 12-0.
“We’re fortunate to be in this position. We’re looking forward to competing against them.”
The teams haven’t played since 2020, when the Rams took a pair of meetings – the second in the District 6-2A championship game (27-6) during a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Watching them on film, I think they’re a well-rounded team,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. “They have a solid offense with multiple backs and receivers that can catch the ball, a quarterback who can distribute the ball, and a strong offensive line.
“They have an aggressive defense that makes things really difficult on the opponent’s offense.”
Richland has been a steady presence in the 6-2A championship game.
The Rams won four consecutive 6-2A crowns from 2018 through 2021 with title-game wins over Ligonier Valley (twice), Cambria Heights and Forest Hills. After falling to Bishop Guilfoyle Academy in the 2022 semifinal, an injury-depleted Richland team returned to the 2023 final, but lost a one-sided game against Bald Eagle Area.
“It’s nice to get back, but we’ll all feel a little bit better if we get there and win,” Bailey said. “We still have a sour taste from last year getting there and not being able to finish the job.”
Isaac Weiland, Benjamin Messina
Cambria Heights quarterback Isaac Weiland (left) narrowly escapes a sack by Northern Cambria linebacker Benjamin Messina during a Heritage Conference game at Duffy Daugherty Stadium in Northern Cambria, PA., Friday, Sept.20, 2024.
The Highlanders’ most recent win over Richland was in 2017, and prior to that, in 2003.
The Rams hold a 17-10 advantage over the Highlanders since the 1989 season.
The Highlanders have created their own postseason legacy by making their third district championship game appearance since 2020, and they bring a combined 44-14 record in the past five seasons into the title contest.
By comparison, Cambria Heights only had posted two winning records during 21 seasons from 1999 through 2019.
“When we matched up against Richland in 2020, we were just happy to be there,” Lewis said. “We went up against a program that was so used to being there in Richland.
“I think our kids now feel they belong there as well. I don’t think the moment will be too big. We have a lot of seniors.
“We’re hoping we’re difficult to defend, too, just because we’ve had so many guys touch the football.”
Week 13 picks
Highlanders senior quarterback Isaac Weiland has thrown for 1,390 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Senior Trey Trybus has 19 catches for 567 yards and six TDs. Senior Stephen Nelen has 627 rushing yards and nine TDs, and 371 receiving yards and seven TDs.
The Highlanders have rushed for 2,679 yards, 223.3 a game and 6.7 a carry.
“There is no substitute for experience,” Lewis said. “The experience we’ve had the last couple of years, we’re hoping pays off and makes the moment not too big for us.”
Richland presents opponents with multiple challenges. Freshman quarterback Jacob Regan has thrown for 945 yards, 11 TDs and five interceptions. The bulk of those numbers have been accumulated in the past five games since he stepped in for injured starter Grayson Mahla (1,138 passing yards, 14 TDs).
“We knew Jake had a lot of potential,” Bailey said. “The biggest thing is his ability to play within the offense. He’s trusted in the staff to put him in a good position. He’s executed the game plan.”
Junior Joe McAneny has 814 rushing yards and 11 TDs, and senior Austin Yarnick (48 catches, 838 yards, six TDs) and sophomore Arnold Mugerwa (30-697, 12 TDs) have combined for 78 receptions, 1,535 yards and 18 receiving TDs.
“I know the quarterback is a freshman, but he’s done a really nice job of getting the ball to his weapons,” Lewis said of Regan.
“They’ve got a lot of guys who do some really special things when the ball is in their hands.”
Pennsylvania Football News ranks Richland fifth and Cambria Heights seventh in its latest Class 2A state rankings.
The winner will play the winner of a first-round game between District 10 Farrell and District 9 Central Clarion.
The remainder of the playoff schedule involving area teams, with 7 p.m. kickoffs, follows:
PIAA Tournament
Class 1A First Round
Windber (10-2) vs. Westinghouse (8-1), at Cupples Stadium, Pittsburgh
Last week: Windber 14, Northern Bedford County 7; Westinghouse bye.
About the Ramblers: Windber used the adversity of a one-sided Week 5 loss at rival North Star to ignite a strong finish down the stretch. The Ramblers have won seven consecutive games by a combined 247-39 score. Saturday’s seven-point win over Northern Bedford County in the 5-1A title game was the closest contest during the streak. R.J. Tallion ranks fourth in the area with 1,251 rushing yards, including 23 TDs. The Ramblers are an honorable mention pick in the PFN Class 1A rankings.
About the Bulldogs: Pittsburgh City League champion Westinghouse hasn’t played since Oct. 26 – 20 days in between games. The Bulldogs played in each of the past two Class 2A state title games, finishing as runner-up to Southern Columbia, before moving down a classification. Westinghouse tops the PFN Class 1A rankings. In a 2021 PIAA subregional final at Somerset, Westinghouse overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge Windber 35-34.
Up next: The winner will face either Northern Cambria or Bishop Guilfoyle Academy from District 6.
Class 2A First Round
Steelton-Highspire (10-2) vs. Bedford (9-3), at Claysburg-Kimmel
Last week: Steelton-Highspire 36, Lancaster Catholic 7; Bedford 18, Berlin Brothersvalley 0.
About the Steamrollers: Steelton-Highspire won two straight PIAA Class 1A championships in 2022 and 2023 before moving to 2A. The Steamrollers won their fifth consecutive District 3 title Nov. 8, building a 21-0 first-quarter advantage to set the tone against Lancaster Catholic. Steelton-Highspire has won seven straight games and nine of its past 10. The only setback during that stretch was a 41-20 loss to Susquehanna Township.
About the Bisons: Bedford is on its third winning streak of the season. The Bisons opened 3-0, lost a pair and then won four in a row. A Week 10 loss to undefeated Clearfield has been followed by District 5 wins over rivals Chestnut Ridge and Berlin Brothersvalley. Quarterback Quincy Swaim leads the area with 1,637 rushing yards, including 19 TDs. Pennsylvania Football News lists both Bedford and Steelton-Highspire among its honorable mentions in the Class 2A state rankings.
Up next: The winner will meet either Troy or Warrior Run from District 4.
Class 3A First Round
Somerset (4-7) vs. Penn Cambria (12-0), at Forest Hills
Last week: Somerset 40, Brockway 34; Penn Cambria 39, Tyrone 14.
About the Golden Eagles: Somerset won the second district/subregional championship in program history Nov. 8. Lane Lambert is among the area leaders with eight sacks. Somerset’s three regular-season wins came against teams with a combined three wins, but following a bye week, the resilient Golden Eagles won a high-scoring contest against a seven-win Brockway squad in the title game.
About the Panthers: Undefeated Penn Cambria won the first District 6 title in program history Nov. 8 as Gavin Harrold scored four touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Harrold has 29 touchdowns and 191 points. Mason Mento has 111/2 sacks, and Marcus Eckenrode had his fourth interception against Tyrone. Penn Cambria is ranked seventh in Class 3A, according to PFN. Penn Cambria beat Somerset 49-6 Oct. 7, 2022. The teams have scrimmaged against each other the past two preseasons.
Up next: The winner will face either Sharon or Hickory from District 10.
Saturday
District 6 Tournament
Class 1A Championship
Northern Cambria (11-1) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (11-1), Mansion Park, Altoona, 7 p.m.
Last week: Northern Cambria 27, Penns Manor 8; Bishop Guilfoyle Academy 49, Claysburg-Kimmel 7.
About the Colts: Senior four-year starter Ty Dumm has passed for 1,813 yards and rushed for 1,258 yards. He has 3,076 total yards, 18 TDs and 110 points. The Colts won the program’s first 6-1A crown in 2022. Lucas Shutty has 13 sacks and Nate Fry has five interceptions. Northern Cambria is ranked eighth in the PFN Class 1A state rankings.
About the Marauders: Quarterback Chase Kissell has passed for 2,707 yards, 35 TDs and five interceptions. Hamilton Gates has 1,290 receiving yards and 590 rushing yards with a combined 31 touchdowns. Bishop Guilfoyle is ranked second in the PFN Class 1A state rankings. The Marauders have won nine District 6 crowns in 1A (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021) and 2A (1987, 1985, 2022) and four state championships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2021).
Up next: The winner will play either Windber or Westinghouse.
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
