Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Penn Cambria’s Thomas Plunkett dragged Hickory’s Jamal Calhoun to victory last weekend.
This season’s undefeated Penn Cambria football team reached previously uncharted territory for the program, creating excitement, euphoria, and enthusiasm among the Panthers’ players, coaches, and indeed the entire Penn Cambria community.
After winning its first-ever District 6 football championship earlier this month, Penn Cambria easily dispatched its first two opponents in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs, including the District 10 champion last Saturday. Including a 30-7 win over Hickory.
With the win, Penn Cambria qualified for the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs for the first time. The Panthers (14-0) will face WPIAL champion Avonworth (11-3) on Friday night at Norwin High School Knights Field in Irwin. The right to play in the state championship game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The winner of Penn Cambria vs. Avonworth will face Northwestern Lehigh vs. Danville in Friday’s other Class 3A semifinal with the state championship game being played at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. Compete against the winner of the battle.
“There’s a lot of excitement within our team and within our community,” Penn Cambria coach Nick Fels said. “Everyone in our community and school district has been very supportive and everyone around town has been talking about the Penn Cambria team, which is understandable for our players who have put in the necessary effort to be successful.
“It’s special to be able to enjoy a season like this, especially for the senior group that has been with us the past four years,” Fels added.
Penn Cambria asserted its high status by dominating a speedy Hickory team in the quarterfinals, which the Panthers beat in the second half.
“I think it started last Monday in preparation for Hickory,” Fels said. “I think our players had that look in their eyes when we were preparing, and I think we were very physical all week in practice.
“Our players wanted to make a statement that we belong where we are, and I think that was evident last Saturday,” Fels added.
Junior quarterback Brady Jones, who stopped Penn Cambria’s long scoring drive on the Panthers’ first possession, probably said it best.
“Coming into this game, we wanted to be a tighter team and a more physical team. At the end of the day, we were both of those things,” Jones said of the Panthers’ efforts against Hickory. Ta. “We’re here to stay. It doesn’t matter who we play, we’ll be there and we’ll be ready.”
Avonworth presents an interesting challenge. The Antelopes made their third consecutive appearance in the WPIAL Championship Game last Saturday, defeating perennial powerhouse Central Valley 17-0, avenging their regular season loss.
Avonworth, which lost to a powerhouse Belle Vernon team in its last two WPIAL title game appearances in 2022 and 2023, defeated previously undefeated WPIAL top seed Imani Christian in this season’s WPIAL semifinals, 14-6. It was broken.
Two of Avonworth’s three losses came during the regular season against Class 4A powerhouse Aliquippa and undefeated Thomas Jefferson, but Avonworth started 2-2 and has won nine of its past 10 games. Going into Friday’s game.
“Our kids played really good defense in the championship game,” Avonworth veteran coach Duke Joncourt said. “They played hard and it was great to get the shutout.”
Avonworth relied on a solid defense and the rushing talent of brothers Niko Neal, a senior, and Luca Neal, a junior, to defeat Imani Christian and Central Valley in the playoffs.
Luca Neal had 204 rushing yards on 22 carries and two Avonworth touchdowns against Imani Christian, and Nico Neal had 23 carries and two Avonworth touchdowns against Central Valley. He had 102 rushing yards on downs.
“They’re good at a one-two punch,” Fels said of the Neal brothers. “One of them (Nico) is a little more physical and the other (Luka) is a little faster. They’re both very athletic so it’s a really good combination.
“They’ve found something that works really well in the running game, but it all starts up front for them,” Fels added. “They have a very good offensive line, so the defense has to read the keys and get the pads down low, like they did in last week’s game. In playoff football, the defense is first and foremost about the run. You have to be able to stop him, and the offense has to be able to run the ball well.”
Penn Cambria, led by do-it-all senior slotback Gavin Harrold and its very solid offensive line, ran the ball extremely well against Hickory. Harold rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns against Hickory and has rushed for 779 yards on 102 carries and 23 touchdowns this season, while catching 70 passes for 980 yards and 10 touchdowns. Harold has also shined in the secondary defensively, with his 89 tackles ranking third behind sophomore linebacker Corbin Binglish’s 106 tackles and senior linebacker Derek Hite’s 99 tackles.
“He does everything,” Joncourt said of Harold. “He throws, he runs, he catches, he lines up in a few different positions on offense. I think he can do everything, including cleaning the stadium. He’s very good.
“He’s also very good defensively,” Joncourt added. “He’s a great athlete.”
But while Harold is good, he’s not a one-man show for the Panthers. Senior back Tommy Plunkett had 1,108 yards rushing on 189 carries and 10 touchdowns, and another senior back, Mason Mento, had 644 rushing yards on 96 carries. and scored eight touchdowns.
Jones is a dual threat who completed 108 of 161 passes for 1,614 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 648 yards on 135 carries and eight scores. Senior wideout Marcus Eckenrode is also an offensive option for Penn Cambria, with 14 catches for 187 total yards and one touchdown reception.
Penn Cambria has multiple weapons, making it a very tough challenge for opposing defenses.
“They have some really good skill kids,” Joncourt said of the Panthers. “They have a good running back, they have a good quarterback, they have a good tight end (Hite). Their offensive line pushes people. They bring a talented team to the table. He will come.”
In addition to the Neal brothers, Avonworth also has an excellent quarterback in junior Carson Bellinger, who completed 59 of 134 passes for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Luca Neal had a team-leading 24 receptions for 473 yards and four touchdowns, and sophomore backs Dimitri Velisalis and Bryce Mets added depth to Avonworth’s attack, with Velisalis carrying 108 times. and ran for 578 yards with eight touchdowns. He rushed for 216 yards on 39 carries and nine touchdowns.
“We ran the ball well and threw the ball well,” Joncourt said. “It’s a healthy combination.”
Ferus and Harold are both ready for the challenge of Avonworth in the semi-final round.
“Avonworth plays a very tough schedule in the WPIAL, but they’re currently in the last four teams (remaining in the state at the Class 3A level), so they’re obviously a great football team,” Fels said. said. “We know it’s going to be a challenge, but the players are embracing that challenge.
“We’re excited to be in the position we’re in, but we’re not complacent,” Fels added. “We want to keep this going.”
Harold supported the idea.
“It’s not over yet,” Harold said. “We’re not done yet.”
PIAA Class 3A semifinals
Teams: Penn Cambria (14-0) vs. Avonworth (11-3).
Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Norwin High School Knights Field in Irwin.
Coach/career record: Nick Fels, Penn Cambria, 50-49; Duke Johncourt of Avonworth, 120 wins, 41 losses.
In last week’s quarterfinals, Penn Cambria defeated Hickory 30-7 and Avonworth defeated Central Valley 17-0.
Bet on: The winner advances to the PIAA Class 3A state championship game next Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School, followed by Friday’s other semifinal game Northwestern Lehigh vs. Danville. against the winner of.
