Raiders Lose Showdown With Falcons
By Miike Bauer Endeavor Sports

High school football fans throughout the region found out last week that Cameron County is for real.

The Red Raiders (2-1) gave the visiting Coudersport Falcons, the fifth-ranked Class A team in the state according to one poll, all they wanted and more in an 8-6 loss.

It was truly a battle right down to the wire and it fuels hopes that the Raiders could earn a return to postseason play.

They faced another stiff challenge last night at Curwensville -- results weren't available by press time -- and will enter next Friday night's homecoming game against Otto-Eldred as a heavy favorite.

Cameron County's hardhitting defense yielded just one touchdown against Coudersport (3-0), but that was enough for the visitors to remain undefeated. Quarterback Boomer Wetzel hit Logan Hathaway with a short pass near the Raider 10 and Hathaway made a quick move before dragging a Raider defender into the endzone for a 22-yard TD play.

Wetzel then found freshman wingback Dirk Cowburn open for the two-point conversion, which would end up providing the Falcons' margin of victory.

The Raiders moved into position to tie the game later in the first half, only to come away empty. A 22 yard pass from quarterback Jordan Crane to Abram Zoschg on a key third down call deep in Raider territory triggered the drive.

Crane then scrambled for 16 yards and a pass interference call moved the ball inside the Falcon 40. Darrick Mason then made a nice run of 14 yards. Moments later, Cameron Clingan took a pitch around the left end and appeared to have a first down at the 11. However, a holding penalty on the back side of the play cost the Raiders a chance to score.

Coudersport threatened in the closing seconds of the half, advancing inside the hosts' 10. A good defensive play in the back of the end zone by Sean McManigle denied the Falcons.

In contrast to the first half, the Raiders controlled field position after the break.

An 18-yard hookup between Crane and Joey Songer moved the ball inside Coudersport's 20, but a fourth-down pass attempt in the back of the end zone was knocked down.

Later, Crane's 28-yard completion to Cory Smith up the left sideline electrified the capacity crowd. On the very next play, Crane drilled a 29- yarder to McManigle and Cameron County was in business at the Falcon 21.

Three plays later, Mason took the handoff on a quick trap play. Not to be denied, he dragged two Falcon defenders much of the way to finish off a 12-yard touchdown run.

The score stood 8-6, so the Raiders had no choice but to go for the tie. Crane rolled to the right and threw into the endzone for Mike Malizia in a crowd, but a Falcon tipped the ball away.

Coudersport, clearly on the run, hoped to hang on over the final seven-plus minutes of the game by running out the clock. Cameron County's confident defense was up to the challenge, stopping the Falcons and returning the ball to the offense with plenty of time to mount a game-winning drive.

Three running plays produced 21 yards, down to the Falcon 35. On the next play, Crane dropped back and tried to hit Smith on a hitch-and-go route down the left sideline. Hathaway was wise to the play and made a bobbling interception.

This time, the visitors were able to run out the clock and get out of town with a narrow win.

Fans from both schools came away with the opinion that the two teams were evenly matched.

Cameron County now has to hope that Coudersport stumbles, in order to have any hope of an Allegheny Mountain League championship. By the same token, a win at Curwensville last night could keep the Red Raiders on track for a PIAA District 9 playoff berth.

Crane finished with four completions on 10 pass attempts for 96 yards. The Raiders split the ground attack between five players, with nearly equal production.

Coudersport's workhorse tailback Chris Cavallari gained 140 yards on 25 attempts, while fullback Drew Levavasseur pounded the inside for 52 yards on 11 carries.

League Standings

North: Coudersport 3-0, Cameron County 2-1, Port Allegany 2-1, Otto-Eldred 1-2, Smethport 0-3, Sheffield 0-3.

South: Johnsonburg 3-0, Curwensville 2-1, Elk County Catholic 2-1, Kane 1-2, Ridgway 1-2, Brockway 1-2.