Red Raiders romp; showdown in Coudersport next

Sean McManigle made an acrobatic catch on one of Jordan Crane's four TD pases.

Domination.

That's the only word to describe the first two games of Cameron County's high school football season.

The Red Raiders (2-0) poured it on long-time rival Smethport Friday night in Emporium, 62-0, to build some momentum for this Friday's showdown in Coudersport (7:00).

Senior quarterback Jordan Crane passed for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth, while Charlie Holjencin had a pair of interceptions for a Red Raider defense that forced most of the Hubbers' seven turnovers. All four of Crane's completions carried for touchdowns.

"Jordan had an outstanding game," Cameron County coach Tony Defilippi said of his poised signal-caller. "And Charlie was a defensive standout. All of the kids played extremely well."

After surrendering the ball on a fumble in their first possession, the Raiders got down to business. Taylor Songer intercepted a pass and returned it to Smethport's 33. Crane hit Daniel Sullivan in the back of the end zone and Charlie Holjencin booted the extra point to make it 7-0 with 6:20 left in the first quarter.

The Hubbers mounted a modest drive before Marcus Mullens recovered a fumble at the CCHS 29. Crane promptly hit a streaking Abram Zoschg on a 71-yard TD play and the rout was on.

Songer's fumble recovery set up the next score, a three-yard toss from Crane to Sean McManigle deep in the end zone.

Holjencin intercepted a fourth-down pass and returned it 40 yards, setting up a 21-yard TD pass from Crane to tight end Mike Malizia. Holjencin drilled his fourth PAT, making the score 28-0 with 7:40 left in the half.

Moments later, the Raiders stopped Smethport on downs, took over at the Hubber 40, and found the end zone again. Cameron Clingan broke away for a 20-yard gain and Zoschg scored on a 12-yard run.

Down 34-0, the Hubbers tempted fate by going for it on fourth and nine at their own 30. Holjencin snared a pass at midfield and returned it for another touchdown.

The mercy rule was already in effect as the second half opened. Cameron County's starters carved through the Smethport defense with ease and were then pulled. Crane's 12-yard touchdown run on a fourth down play produced six more points. Holjencin's boot made it 48-0.

A fumble recovery from Randy Schatz near the end of the third quarter set up Hunter Bardo's seven-yard touchdown run. Bardo also turned a bad snap into a two-point conversion.

Yet another fumble recovery, this one by Tanner Johnson, set up Matt Bailey's one-yard TD run midway through the fourth period.

Cameron County held the Hubbers to 105 total yards, while the Raiders amassed 381, including 271 on the ground.

The Red Raiders return to the home field on Friday, Sept. 21, against a weak Curwensville team (7:00).