Golden Tide Claims AML Championship

CURWENSVILLE — It was the most highly anticipated game of the week.  The two best teams in the Allegany Mountain League were ready to lace up their cleats and do battle on the field of Riverside Stadium.  Both sides of the field were rocking as fans stomped their feet and screamed their lungs out.  After 48 minutes of play, only one team would hold the trophy over their head in victory.

On this night, thanks to both a tough defense and a smart game plan, the Curwensville Golden Tide brought home their first AML Championship in three years with a 6-0 victory over the previously undefeated Cameron County Red Raiders.

“This is a big win for us as a team, a community and a school,” said head coach Andy Evanko.

The win was big as the Tide completely shut down the Red Raiders, holding them to only 66 yards of total offense.  The running game of Cameron County was nonexistent.  Curwensville held their opposition to only four yards on the ground, while the offense gained 171 of their own.

Cameron County tried to make up for the lack of rushing by the play of Jason Blose at quarterback.  He would end the night only 2 of 8, and passed for a season-low 62 yards.

Jed Greslick once again led the Tide in rushing with 91 yards on 30 carries, but it was his effort in the passing game that brought the Tide the victory.  He caught all three passes from Sam Gardner, including the game’s only score.

“We’re really blessed.  Jed’s an exceptional kid,” Evanko said of his star running back.

Cameron County deferred the coin toss and gave Curwensville the ball first to start the game, but despite the efforts of Greslick running the ball, a costly personal foul penalty pushed the ball backwards.  Curwensville was forced to punt, giving the Red Raiders their first opportunity to run down the field.

However, the Tide would not yield as they prevented Cameron County from crossing mid-field, again forcing a punt.

On Curwensville’s ensuing possession, they decided to put their run game to the test and began drilling the ball right now the Red Raider defense.  The drive lasted 16 plays, but the defense held it’s ground late and stopped the Tide on fourth down.

“Cameron County is a very good football team,” Evanko said.  “They have a heck of a defense, very disciplined.”

Curwensville stepped up and forced a three-and-out on the next possession, but the Tide gave the ball right back on their ensuing drive as Gardner threw an interception right to Kyle McManigle on the right sideline.  Unfortunately for Cameron County, they could not get any momentum as they were forced to punt again.

Both teams exchanged punts, but Curwensville got the ball with 3:32 left in the first half, which would become the key drive of the game.

Starting at their own 15, the Tide began to drive down the field with their run game, but at the same time the clock was not on their side.  WIth less than a minute left, Evanko made the call to start throwing the ball.  On 1st and 10 from their own 41, Gardner dropped back and launched a bomb down the middle of the field.  Despite double coverage, Greslick came down with the ball at the Cameron County 25.

Time was still began ticking away as Gardner took the following play on a bootleg to the left sideline, trying to get out of bounds.  He would get out, but the time had already run off the clock.  However, the Red Raiders got nabbed with a personal foul penalty, and by rule a quarter cannot end on aa accepted penalty.

On the next play, Gardner went for a pass to the end zone, but Blose deflected the pass, and the ball landed right in the hands of Greslick.  His teammates gathered round and celebrated as the touchdown put Curwensville in the lead.  The two-point conversion failed, but the Tide had the momentum heading into the locker room.

“You know sometimes you have to be lucky and good.  That catch took a lot of concentration,” Evanko said.

Cameron County got the ball to start the second half, and looked to try and get the chance to tie or grab the lead.  Starting at their own 37, they managed to drive down to the Curwensville 19.  Suddenly, things began unravelling.  On second down, a bad snap went over the head of Blose, yielding a 21-yard loss.