Red Raiders to host Brockway

Assistant coach John Barnhart helps to lead the Red Raiders out of the locker room to do battle with Kane in last Friday's season opener. Among Big Red players show is linebacker/running back Randy Schatz (15). Alex Davis photo

Brockway's Rovers come to Emporium next Friday night for the latest chapter of a high school football season that is already filled with drama and intrigue.

Coach Tony Defilippi's boys - coming off a thrilling 27-26 overtime win against Kane in the opener - were scheduled to play at Ridgway last night.

Last week's game came down to a high-stakes decision by Kane coach Jason Barner in overtime.

Trailing by a point, Barner opted not to go for a twopoint conversion to win, but instead rolled the dice with an extra point kick, trying to force a second OT.

The move backfired when the ball sailed wide of the crossbar.

A fumble recovery deep inside Cameron County territory late in the first quarter set up quarterback Kenny Kane's 16-yard touchdown pass to Ross Nicholson to break the scoreless tie.

The Raiders answered after Kyle McManigle intercepted a pass and returned in 40 yards. Tailback Andrew Kesterholt scored from eight yards out.

Late in the first half, Cameron County launched a drive from its own 12. Sophomore quarterback Jason Blose hit receiver Andy Beer on a key third-down conversion and scampered 14 more yards on a broken play for another first down.

Blose then hooked up with Beer on a 56-yard touchdown pass to give the hosts a 12-6 lead at the intermission.

A fumble recovered set up Nicholson's short touchdown run in the third quarter. Quarterback Kane scored the PAT on a keeper to give the Wolves a 14-12 advantage.

Moments later, Kane was in business again after a fumble recovery at the Raider five. Cameron County shut down four running plays to regain possession.

Blose proceeded to lead the Raiders on a nine-play, 96-yard touchdown drive. He threw to Beer for gains of 10 and 21 yards, then ran the ball on back-to-back plays for a touchdown. Blose hit Kesterholt for the two-point conversion and a 20-14 lead.

Kane threatened again early in the fourth quarter, only to be turned back inside the Raider 10.

However, the Wolves were back in business on a pass interception that gave them possession at the Cameron County three. Kenny Kane catapulted his linemen for a touchdown. An extra point attempt sailed wide to the left.

Cameron County took first possession in overtime and scored on a one-yard run by Blose. Hunter Bardo kicked the extra point, which would provide the margin of victory.

Nicholson answered with a five-yard touchdown run. Barner decided to go for the tie, much to his regret, and the ecstatic fans of the Big Red celebrated.

"We made a lot of mistakes tonight, but our team found a way to win," Defilippi said after the game. "This was a great team effort."

Blose's debut at quarterback was impressive, as he carried 15 times for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing four passes for another 105 yards and a score.