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Mike Mastovich | 'He wants the ball': Penn Cambria's Harrold leads on and off the field


Mike Mastovich | 'He wants the ball': Penn Cambria's Harrold leads on and off the field

As the weeks progressed throughout an undefeated season, Penn Cambria senior Gavin Harrold often reminded his teammates that the Panthers were "not finished."

Work still had to be done.

The approach applies again, as District 6 Class 3A champion Penn Cambria (12-0) plays District 5-8-9 subregional champ Somerset (4-7) in the PIAA tournament Friday at Forest Hills.

No one will question Harrold's knack for practicing what he preaches in the Panthers locker room and on the field.

Last week, Harrold had a huge role in Penn Cambria's historic first District 6 championship in a 39-14 victory over Tyrone at Mansion Park.

"To see how much work Gavin's put in over the last four years, especially the last three years - in the weight room, how hard he practices - to us, it's no surprise," Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said.

"We know that's what he's capable of.

"He's a competitor. He's relentless. When the lights are shining the brightest, he wants the ball."

The Mansion Park lights certainly spotlighted another outstanding performance last week.

Harrold played receiver (nine catches, 146 yards, one TD), took direct snaps to create running opportunities (11 carries, 48 yards, two TDs) and was solid on defense, producing a 34-yard, scoop-and-score fumble recovery.

He had four touchdowns and a two-point conversion against the Golden Eagles in a game Penn Cambria trailed 14-8 at halftime.

Harrold leads the area with 29 touchdowns and 191 points.

He has 62 catches for 915 yards and 10 TDs.

Welcome back: Last week, Windber (10-2) senior running back Luke Hostetler returned to the lineup for the first time since he suffered an injury in practice, a few days after facing Meyersdale during Week 4.

Hostetler had a modest four carries for four rushing yards in a 14-7 victory over Northern Bedford in the District 5-1A championship game at Somerset Area High School.

Hostetler also threw a 26-yard halfback option pass to Lucas Oleksa, but was used more on defense, coach Matt Grohal said. R.J. Tallion leads the Ramblers with 1,251 rushing yards and 23 TDs.

Grohal expects Hostetler, who has 513 rushing yards with eight TDs, to see more work on offense against District 8 champion Westinghouse (8-1) at Cupples Stadium in Pittsburgh.

The Bulldogs reached the PIAA Class 2A title game the past two seasons and took home silver before dropping a classification this year.

Ground games: Both top-seeded Cambria Heights (12-0) and second-seeded Richland (10-2) will bring strong - and deep - ground games into Friday's District 6-2A championship game at Mansion Park.

"We knew we had some running backs," said Richland coach Brandon Bailey, whose Rams were 6-2A runner-up last season and will make their sixth district championship game appearance in seven years. "(Joe) McAneny has had some big games. (Cody) Yeager has had some nice runs. Jamere Christian, Austin Yarnick, too.

"We're probably one of the most balanced teams in the area."

Richland's passing game consistently has ranked among the best in the area throughout Bailey's 23 seasons as head coach.

The rushing attack gives defenses more to think about, with junior Joe McAneny (814 yards, 11 TDs) and senior Cody Yeager (61-350, three TDs) fronting a group of five players with at least 137 rushing yards this season.

Cambria Heights' running game is formidable, with the Highlanders gaining 2,951 yards on 451 carries, an average of 245.9 a game and 6.5 per carry.

Seniors Stephen Nelen (91-661, 10 TDs), Trey Trybus (52-518, three), Marshall Eckenrode (60-383, eight) and Jaxxon Kline (61-316, four) each contributed to last season's District 6-1A championship run.

"When you go to Mansion Park, there is something special, even for coaches and veteran players," Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis said. "The more we can keep that environment and our emotions in check and make it as close to any other game as possible, that's the key.

"It helps when you have guys who are four-year starters, three-year starters and have been part of playoff runs for a few years now," Lewis said. "Richland is used to being here. They're familiar with the district title game. It's going to take us playing a great football game to knock them off."

Title-game tested: District 5-2A champion Bedford (9-3) will face a Steelton-Highspire (10-2) team that won the past two PIAA Class 1A championships before moving up to 2A this season.

The Steamrollers also won their fifth consecutive District 3 title last week over Lancaster Catholic.

Steelton-Highspire is on a seven-game winning streak.

Bedford has won six of its past seven games, including an 18-0 shutout over Berlin Brothersvalley in the 5-2A title game.

Coming Friday: Cambria Heights and Richland get reacquainted in second District 6-2A title game meeting since 2020.

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.

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