Resurgent Raiders Bound For Port Allegany Today

Abram Zoschg returned a punt for a score and caught a long touchdown pass on Homecoming night.

The Red Raiders weren't about to disappoint a homecoming crowd Friday night on the local gridiron.

They scored early and often in dispatching the Otto-Eldred Terrors, 39-0, to snap a twogame losing streak and carry renewed momentum into Saturday's game at Port Allegany (1:30).

Although Cameron County should be favored today, Port Allegany (2-3) has some weapons. Senior Mark Chelgreen has breakaway speed operating at slotback or, on occasion, as a change-of-pace sub for starting quarterback Derrick Morey.

Statistically, the Gators played evenly with undefeated Coudersport last Friday night, but faded in the second half and fell, 28-7.

The Raiders will have to operate without two-way starter Abram Zoschg, one of their offensive standouts, who is recovering from illness. They lost another standout running back, Cash Grimone, earlier this season.

Fortunately for Head Coach Tony Defilippi, running back was one position where the Red Raiders were loaded coming into the season.

Jordan Crane tossed four touchdown passes in the Homecoming win.

They'll head to St. Marys to meet a respectable Elk County Catholic squad next Friday (7:00), followed by home games with Sheffield (Oct. 20) and a strong Johnsonburg team (Oct. 27).

Punishing defense

With a playoff berth still possible, the Raiders weren't about to let Otto-Eldred (1-4) stand in the way. They played punishing defense -- allowing just 59 total yards -- and exploded for a 33-0 lead before the in- termission.

Quarterback Jordan Crane lit up the scoreboard with four touchdown passes, while Cameron Clingan carried a steady ground game with 65 yards on 12 carries.

Crane's 10-yard TD pass to tight end Mike Malizia broke the ice. He then hit Sean McManigle on a 59-yard scoring strike and carried for the conversion on a QB keeper, making the score 14-0.

Moments later, Zoschg fielded a punt and followed his blockers into the open field, then sprinted 65 yards for a touchdown. Dan Slottje's nailed the extra point.

In the second quarter, Clingan scored on a nine-yard run. Then Crane connected with Zoschg on a 64- yard TD pass.

Otto-Eldred, with its running game stuffed, tried an aerial assault with little success. The Terrors completed just four of 23 pass attempts, two of which were picked off.

Crane's fourth scoring strike came in the third quarter, as he found J.D. Sestina open on a nine-yard TD play.

AMFLStandings

North: Coudersport 5-0, Cameron County 3-2, Port Allegany 2-3, Otto-Eldred 1-4, Sheffield 1-4, Smethport 0-5

South: Curwensville 4-1, Johnsonburg 4-1, Elk CC 3-2, Ridgway 3-2, Kane 2-3, Brockway 2-3.