Early Crunch Time For Raiders
Defilippi's Troops In Must-Win Situation

The high school season is only half over, but the Cameron County Red Raiders now find themselves in a must-win situation.

For Coach Tony Defilippi's troops (2-2) to have any realistic hope of earning a spot in the playoffs, they'll probably need to run the table.

That mission began Friday night with the arrival of a very beatable Otto-Eldred team for the CCHS homecoming game, and continues with back-to-back road games, starting next Saturday afternoon in Port Allegany (1:30), followed by a trip to St. Marys to meet the Elk County Catholic Crusaders Oct. 13.

Feckless Sheffield comes to Emporium Oct. 20, and the regular season concludes with a stiff challenge against the Johnsonburg Rams on the local gridiron Oct. 27.

Tough loss to Tide

Coming off an inspired, albeit disappointing, loss to Coudersport in Week Three, the Raiders headed to Curwensville last Friday to take on another of the Allegheny Mountain League heavyweights.

Cameron County mounted a 14-8 halftime lead -- then the wheels came off.

Curwensville (3-1) capitalized on four Raider turnovers and some untimely penalties to explode for 38 unanswered points, on their way to a 46- 29 win.

A large cadre of Raider fans came to life when the Golden Tide, leading 8-0 in the second quarter, had the audacity to "go for it" on a fourth-andthree call at the team's own 38-yard line. Defilippi's D stuffed stud running back Nick Sipes for a two-yard loss.

Moments later, quarterback Jordan Crane's 16-yard pass to Nick Malize brought the Raiders closer and John Malizia broke free for a 14- yard touchdown run. A pass play for the two-point conversion went awry.

After another defensive stand, Cameron County took over at its own 26. Cameron Clingan then electrified the Raider faithful as he found an opening and raced 74 yards for a TD. Abram Zoschg punched in the conversion and the visitors found themselves leading 14-8 at the intermission.

The jubiliation was shortlived, however.

After the Raiders were flagged for a pair of pass interference penalties, quarterback Shawn Sopic scored on a 14-yard touchdown run.

Sopic did the job on defense, too, intercepting a pass in Raider territory to set up Sipes' six-yard touchdown run.

Things went from bad to worse, as the Cameron County offensive stumbled while the Golden Tide was continued to ride the Sipes/ Sopic train.

Sipes drilled a 39-yard field goal, then Sopic scooped up a Raider fumble and returned it down to the CCHS 22. Sipes carried for back-breaking touchdown.

Eventually, Coach Defilippi pointed for his reserves to take the field, his team trailing 46- 14.

The youngsters came through. Charlie Holjencin broke off a long run; Chad Olay capped a drive with a one-yard TD plunge, and quarterback Jarek Holjencin found Andy Beer open on a 10-yard scoring strike.

Despite the lopsided score, the Raider defense did a fairly effective job against the vaunted Sipes, making him earn many of his 121 yards on 29 carries. Sopic turned in the performance of his life, matching his defensive exploits with 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Clingan's long run swelled his rushing totals -- an impressive 160 yards on 15 carries against a strong defense. Other productive ground gainers were Charlie Holjencin (77), Zoschg (57) and Malizia (43).

Allegheny Mt. League

Standings

North: Coudersport 4-0, Cameron County 2-2, Port Allegany 2-2, Otto-Eldred 0- 4, Smethport 0-4.

South: Johnsonburg 4-0, Curwensville 3-1, Elk County Catholic 3-1, Ridgway 3-1, Kane 2-2, Brockway 2-2, Ridgway 2-2.