Cambria Heights not fighting history against Tyrone

When it comes to postseason success, there aren't many, if any, programs in District 6 with a better resume than Tyrone.

The Golden Eagles played for the PIAA Class AA football championship last year and won it all in 1999. They're regulars to the postseason picture.

Cambria Heights, meanwhile, is the polar opposite of Tyrone.

When it comes to the playoffs, the Highlanders have, well, they're the No. 5 seed in this year's District 6 Class AA bracket. They're playing at Tyrone on Saturday.

Both teams sport the same 7-3 records, but only one team can advance to the semifinals.

"I've said this numerous times: We don't feel like we're fighting history," Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis said.

What Camrbia Heights is battling is Tyrone team with a standout runner in junior James Oliver, who has 1,669 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns (27 total).

Being able to stop Oliver is more important to Camrbia Heights' chances of advancing to the semifinals than postseason history and tradition. Another thing that should help the Highlanders is the return of senior Ben Myers, who's been out since breaking a thumb against Forest Hills on Sept. 28.

"Every team is so different," Lewis said. "I don't think there's a huge benefit to what Tyrone has done in the past against our history. It's going to be a football game. The past doesn't matter."

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:
Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking1. North Allegheny (7) (10-0) Defeated Altoona Area, 42-14 (1)
2. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (9-0) Defeated Archbishop Ryan, 29-6 (2)
3. Downingtown East (1) (10-0) Defeated West Chester Henderson, 6-3 (3)
4. Ridley (1) (10-0) Defeated Penncrest, 47-20 (4)
5. LaSalle College (12) (9-1) DefeatedRoman Catholic, 42-13 (5)
6. Gateway (7) (9-1) Defeated Peters Township, 28-19 (6)
7. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (9-1) Defeated Warwick, 28-0 (8)

8. Pennridge (1) (9-1) Defeated Hatboro-Horsjam, 54-14 (9)
9. Upper St. Clair (7) (9-1) Defeated Kiski Area, 49-0 (10)
10. Scranton (2) (10-0) Defeated Abington Heights, 35-0 (OTW)
Others to Watch:
Central Bucks South (9-1)

Central Dauphin (3) (8-2)

Coatesville (1) (8-2)
Delaware Valley (2) (9-1)
DuBois Area (9) (8-1)

Easton Area (11) (8-1)

George Washington (12) (9-1)
Harrisburg (3) (8-2)

Penn Manor (3) (9-1)
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) (9-1)
Seneca Valley (7) (9-1)
Spring-Ford (1) (9-1)

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Class AAA:
Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (10-0) Defeated Palmyra, 49-14 (1)
2. Cathedral Prep (10) (10-0) Defeated General McLane, 47-0 (2)
3. Pottsgrove (1) (10-0) Defeated Phoenixville, 24-7 (3)
4. Thomas Jefferson (7) (10-0) Defeated Hollidaysburg, 63-19 (4)
5. Archbishop Wood (12) (8-2) Defeated Cardinal O'Hara, 54-28 (5)
6. Berwick Area (2) (9-1) Defeated Hazleton Area, 49-7 (6)
7. West York (3) (10-0) Defeated New Oxford, 35-0 (7)
8. West Allegheny (7) (9-1) Defeated Ringgold, 48-7 (8)
9. Montour (7) (9-1) Defeated Trinity, 27-6 (8)
10. Garden Spot (3) (10-0) Defeated Pequea Valley, 42-7 (10)
Others to Watch:
Academy Park (1) (9-1)

Central Valley (7) (8-2)
Clearfield (9) (10-0)
Cocalico (3) (9-1)
Donegal (3) (9-1)
Mars Area (7) (9-1)
Shippensburg (3) (9-1)
Simon Gratz (12) (10-0)
Slippery Rock (10) (9-1)

Susquehanna Township (3) (8-2)

West Mifflin (7) (9-1) 

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Class AA:
Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (10-0) Defeated Steel Valley, 55-0 (1)
2. Wyomissing (3) (10-0) Defeated Berks Catholic, 14-0 (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (10-0) Defeated Delaware Valley Charter, 48-0 (3)
4. South Fayette (7) (10-0) Defeated Freedom Area, 49-13 (4)
5. Washington (7) (10-0) Defeated Shady Side Academy, 47-12 (5)
6. Jeannette (7) (9-1) Defeated South Allegheny, 40-7 (6)
7. Richland (6) (10-0) Defeated Bellwood-Antis, 14-7 (7)
8. Bermudian Springs (3) (10-0) Defeated Biglerville, 37-21 (8)
9. Catasauqua (11) (10-0) Defeated Northwestern Lehigh, 57-3 (10)
10. Tamaqua (11) (10-0) Defeated Marian Catholic, 14-0 (OTW)

Others to Watch:

Beaver Area (7) (9-1)

Berks Catholic (3) (9-1)

Danville (4) (8-2)
Grove City (10) (8-1)

Hickory (10) (8-1) 

Lewisburg (4) (9-1)

Ligonier Valley (6) (9-1)
Seton-La Salle (7) (9-1)
Trinity (3) (9-1)

Wilmington (10) (7-2)

Wyoming Area (2) (8-2)

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Class A:
Rank - School - District

1. Clairton (7) (10-0) Defeated Frazier, 58-6 (1) (57 Straight Wins)
2. Southern Columbia (4) (10-0) Defeated Warrior Run, 50-19 (2)
3. Old Forge (2) (10-0) Defeated Susquehanna Community, 49-6 (4)
4. Port Allegany (9) (10-0) Defeated Brockway, 54-7 (5)
5. Williams Valley (11) (10-0) Defeated East Juniata, 41-0 (6)
6. Dunmore (2) (9-1) Defeated Riverside, 34-20 (7)
7. Tri-Valley (11) (9-1) Defeated Line Mountain, 42-28 (9)
8. Sto-Rox (7) (9-1) Defeated Carmichaels, 40-7 (10)

9. Bellwood-Antis (6) (9-1) Lost to Richland, 14-7 (3)
10. Sharpsville (10) (8-1) Defeated Sharon Area, 28-6

Others to Watch:
Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (9-1)
Clarion Area (9) (10-0)
Line Mountain (4) (8-2)
Monessen (7) (9-1)
Neshannock (7) (9-1)

Northern Bedford (5) (9-1)
Penns Manor (6) (9-1)

Portage (6) (9-1)

Rochester Area (7) (9-1)
South Williamsport (4) (9-1)

West Middlesex (10) (8-2)

Bishop McCort's championship haul

Last Saturday was "Championship Saturday" for Bishop McCort High School, which won a pair of District 6 soccer championships.

The Bishop McCort girls soccer team with the District 6A team trophy.

The Bishop McCort girls won a fourth district title with a 1-0 victory over Richland at Trojan Stadium in the District 6 Class A championship match. Senior striker Cecilia Stasko netted the game-winner in the 61st minute. The Crushers advanced to the PIAA Class A playoffs, where they lost to York Catholic.

After playing 100 minutes and going through two round of penalty kicks, the Bishop McCort boys soccer team claimed the District 6 Class A title.

The boys District 6 Class A championship match was filled with drama and Bishop McCort edged Westmont Hilltop, 2-1. The Crushers won their fourth district title and second consecutive championship on Jonathan Shearer's penalty kick during the second shootout. Braden Junker scored in regulation for Bishop McCort, which lost to perennial power Greensburg Central Catholic on the first round of the state tournament.

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification

1. Richland 10-0 (Class AA)
Comment: Rams are the only undefeated team in District 6.
2. Ligonier Valley 9-1 (AA)
Comment: Rams play Bald Eagle Area second consecutive week.
3. Bishop McCort 7-3 (A)
Comment: Crushers defense key to postseason chances.
4. Portage 9-1 (A)
Comment: Big win last week for Mustangs. Tough game this week.
5. Forest Hills 7-3 (AA)
Comment: Rangers peaking at right time.
6. Berlin 9-1 (A)
Comment: Mountaineers lose first game. Sometimes that's not a bad thing.
7. Northern Cambria 7-3 (A)
Comment: Colts can be very good, like last week against Cambria Heights.
8. Cambria Heights 7-3 (AA)
Comment: Highlanders loss to NC put them on the road for the playoffs.
9. North Star 8-2 (A)
Comment: Cougars quitely winning games.
10. Windber 8-2 (A)
Comment: Ramblers finally get signature win in Week 10.

Northern Cambria brings home the Coal Bowl

Newspapers get some interesting emails. Here's a photo attachment of the Coal Bowl Trophy coming back to Northern Cambria. At left is Colts head coach Paul Taranto, second from left is Northern Cambria athletic director Jim Yearger.

Playoff matchups

Class AAA
Districts 5,6,8,9 subregional
Friday night
No. 4 Punxsutawney (5-5) at No. 1 Clearfield (10-0)
No. 3 Somerset (5-5) at No. 2 University Prep (5-3)

Class AA
District 6
Friday night
No. 8 Penn Cambria (6-4) at No. 1 Richland (10-0)
No. 7 Bald Eagle Area (6-4) at No. 2 Ligonier Valley (9-1)
Saturday
No. 6 Forest Hills (7-3) at No. 3 Central (Martinsburg) (8-2)
No. 5 Cambria Heights (7-3) at No. 4 Tyrone (7-3)
District 5
Friday night
No. 2 Everett (5-5) vs. No. 1 Chestnut Ridge (5-5) at Northern Bedford

Class A
District 6
Friday night
No. 8 Glendale (6-4) at No. 1 Bellwood-Antis (9-1)
No. 7 Northern Cambria (7-3) at No. 2 Portage (9-1)
Saturday
No. 6 Bishop McCort (7-3) at No. 3 Penns Manor (9-1)
No. 5 Bishop Guilfoyle (8-2) at No. 4 Juniata Valley (9-1)
District 5
No. 1 Northern Bedford (9-1) received bye and plays in semifinals Friday, Nov. 16; No. 2 Berlin (9-1) received bye and plays in semifinals Saturday, Nov. 17.
Friday night
No. 6 Tussey Mountain (5-5) at No. 3 Windber (8-2)
Saturday
No. 5 Shade (6-4) at No. 4 North Star (7-3)

Behe, Lawhead could stay teammates after Penn Cambria

Should Penn Cambria beat Somerset on Saturday night, the Panthers will catapult into the eighth spot in the District 6 AA standings and qualify for the postseason.

Richland, who holds onto the top spot, defeated Penn Cambria in Week 8, but that doesn't mean the Rams would want to run into the Panthers in Week 11.

"It will be a second chance for all of us," said senior Devin Lawhead. "I think we'd be the best eighth seed anyone has seen in a while. I'm guessing most people think we're a lot better than an eighth seed."

Penn Cambria (5-4) isn't in the playoffs yet. While there postseason chances have yet to be solved, there's no denying Lawhead and fellow senior standout Mack Behe are nearing the end of standout varsity football careers.

The pair have been all-conference players and, in Behe's case, an all-state linebacker a year ago.

They've dominated in different ways.

"It's been great playing beside him," Behe said. "We're similar linebackers in a way, but we're both very different."

They're similar in that Behe and Lawhead are both team leaders. They play with high levels of energy and intensity. Both are disruptive defenses forces and solid against the run.

They're different in that Behe is a pass-rushing playmaker. Lawhead excels in pass coverage.

"We push each other and we back each other up," Lawhead said. "We're always waiting for the other one to make a play. It's been a privilege playing beside him."

Behe and Lawhead may get to keep playing together as several colleges are recruiting the pair.

St. Francis and Shippensburg are two of the more active pursuers. Towson and Youngstown State have also expressed interest.

"It's been real nice for both of us hearing from all these schools," Behe said. "We really haven't thought about playing college football together, but it would be good."