CURWENSVILLE – Head coach Andy Evanko marched off the field, simply stating “I have nothing to say,” and went into the locker room to meet his team.
The Curwensville Golden Tide erased a fourth quarter, 14-point deficit only to come up short, losing to the Cameron County Red Raiders 23-20 in double overtime.
“Our kids have battled all year through adversity,” says Red Raiders head coach Tony Defilippi, “They stepped up tonight when they needed to, and we found a way to win.”
Cameron County was outgained by Curwensville 325-231 in total yards, but 217 of those yards came from the running game, with the defense holding Curwensville to only 67 rushing yards. Andy Lippert led the Red Raiders with 79 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown, while Randy Schatz gained 73 yards on only 9 carries.
Curwensville made up for the struggling rushing game with another excellent performance by quarterback David Kalgren, who was 14 of 29 passing for 258 yards, including one touchdown. Unfortunately, the Golden Tide was unable to avoid mistakes, committing 6 penalties for 40 yards and turning the ball over three times.
Cameron County struck early in the game because of their defense. On Curwensville’s third play from scrimmage, a pass from Kalgren was intercepted by Mike Baker, who returned the pick 25 yards for the opening touchdown of the game. The extra point made the score 7-0 early in the first quarter.
After both teams exchanged fumbles on successive drives, the Red Raiders used their rushing attack to get the second score of the game. Capping off a 9 play, 66-yard drive of only runs, Andy Lippert got the first offensive score for the Red Raiders on a five yard plunge for the end zone. The extra point made the score 14-0.
Neither team would get a score until the third quarter, but it was the Curwensville defense making an impact as they forced two straight fumbles from quarterback Jason Blose, the second of which was scooped up of the grass by Nathan Russell and returned 33 yards for Curwensville’s first score of the game.. The failed two-point conversion kept the game 14-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Red Raiders went back to their ground game following a Golden Tide fumble, with Randy Schatz scoring from five yards away. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 20-6.
On the ensuing kickoff, Curwensville’s Jed Greslick provided a momentum change as he returned the ball 77 yards for the touchdown. Kalgren then hit Greslick for the two point conversion, cutting the lead to six early in the fourth quarter.
Curwensville got its final score in regulation following a 12 play, 82 yard drive with Kalgren hitting Greslick for a 46-yard touchdown pass. The Tide faked the extra point, but were unable to get in for two points, leaving the score 20-20, which it remained through the remainder of regulation.
Curwensville got the ball first in the first overtime period, however went four and out after only gaining one yard on a Kalgren scramble. On the ensuing possession for Cameron County, Jason Blose got picked off on third and goal by Kalgren, giving the Tide another opportunity.
“They made a great defensive play and I got greedy and went for the end zone again on third down, and the kid (Kalgren) made a good play,” said Defilippi..
In the second overtime period, Cameron County got the ball first. With the crowd stomping their feet and screaming, the Red Raiders failed to get into the end zone, however Jason Bardo managed to kick a 22-yard field goal to give Cameron County the lead. Curwensville then took possession, first giving the ball to Ben McGary for a five-yard gain. On second down, Greslick gained another four, putting the ball on the 1. After an incomplete pass, Curwensville was left with one last opportunity.. However, Cameron County would not be denied, as Greslick fumbled the ball short of the goal line and was recovered by Mike Baker.
Next week, Curwensville (3-1) will travel to Brockway to meet the Rovers, kickoff set for 7:30 p.m., while Cameron County (4-0) will look to remain undefeated as they host the Coudersport Falcons.
GAME STATISTICS
CAMERON COUNTY CURWENSVILLE
First Downs 9 12
Rush Yards 217 67
Pass Yards 14 258
Total Yards 231 325
Interceptions 1 2
Fumbles/Lost 3/1 2/2
Penalties/Yards 4/27 6/40
Time of Possession 23:05 24:55
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Cameron County: Andy Lippert-16 carries, 79 yards, TD; Andrew Kesterholt-13 carries, 43 yards; Randy Schatz-9 carries, 73 yards, TD
PASSING
Cameron County: Jason Blose- 2 of 11, 14 yards, INT
Curwensville: David Kalgren-14 of 29, 258 yards, TD, 2 INT
RECEIVING
Cameron County: Andy Beer-1 catch, 9 yards; Andy Lippert-1 catch, 5 yards
Curwensville: Jesse Hoover-7 catches, 133 yards; Jed Greslick-2 catches, 56 yards, TD; Andrew Starr-2 catches, 36 yards
BOX SCORE
1st Quarter
Red Raiders: Mike Baker 25-yard interception return touchdown (Bardo kick)
Red Raiders: Andy Lippert 15-yard run (Bardo kick)
3rd Quarter
Golden Tide: Nathan Russell 33-yard fumble (two-point conversion failed)
4th Quarter
Red Raiders: Randy Schatz 5-yard run (kick blocked)
Golden Tide: Jed Greslick 77 yard kickoff return (two-point conversion good)
Golden Tide: David Kalgren 46-yard pass to Jed Greslick (two-point conversion no good)
2 OT
Red Raiders: 22-yard field goal by Hunter Bardo
