CLARION, Pa. – More history is set to be written atop of Cresson Mountain.
After reaching the PIAA semifinals for the first time in program history during the 2024 season, Penn Cambria is set to make a return trip to the final four.
The District 6 champion Panthers turned in yet another stellar defensive performance, shutting down a powerful Sharon offense to grind out a 12-7 victory at PennWest Clarion University Friday night.
Sharon vs. Penn Cambria
“What a feeling to have right now,” Penn Cambria coach Jason Grassi said. “I can’t describe the emotions. I’m just so happy for them. I’m so proud. The effort that they put out here, I said, ‘It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way.’
“That’s what we do. We find ways to get it done. I just can’t say enough about our kids, man. They battled and battled for four quarters tonight and got the win.”
Sharon, the champions out of District 10, came into Friday having won seven consecutive games, where the Tigers scored 42 or more points five times.
The Panthers allowed just a third-quarter touchdown while forcing two takeaways and blocking a punt.
Tigers star running back Terrian White, who averaged over 127 yards per game, managed just 53 yards on 13 carries.
“Everybody was doubting us,” said Panthers sophomore Colin Gongloff, who recorded both of Penn Cambria’s sacks in the game. “That pushes us so much. It gave us the confidence to come out here and play like animals.”
The Panthers did indeed play to their character, getting multiple players to the ball on nearly every snap that resulted in crucial fourth-down stops.
In total, Penn Cambria forced four turnovers on downs, all of which came in Panthers territory.
“Sometimes, you’ve just got to toughen up,” said Panthers linebacker Corbin Vinglish, who stopped Tigers quarterback Ghafir Lampkins on a fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter. “Bend, don’t break – that’s what it comes down to.”
Penn Cambria will carry its momentum into next week’s semifinals against the winner of the Avonworth-Imani Christian Academy game.
The two teams, which will both enter the contest with undefeated records, will square off at 5 p.m. Saturday for the District 7 title.
Avonworth ended Penn Cambria’s 2024 playoff run with a 16-6 victory in the same round.
“This is absolutely huge,” Penn Cambria senior quarterback Brady Jones said. “The whole team, we came together as a brotherhood. It’s the new standard here at PC. We’ve proven we can have success, and I know the underclassmen will carry on the tradition.”
Jones accounted for the first touchdown for the Panthers, who tallied both of their scores in a 23-second span just before halftime.
After tallying 18 total yards on its first three possessions, Penn Cambria drove 63 yards in nine plays, capped off with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Grant Gides, putting the Panthers ahead 6-0 with 1:36 to go in the half after a missed extra point.
On Sharon’s next offensive snap, Gongloff intercepted a screen pass and took off toward the end zone.
However, Gongloff was hit from behind, forcing a fumble, and teammate Evan Latterner picked up the ball and ran it the remaining 10 yards for a Penn Cambria touchdown.
“That was a crazy play,” Vinglish said. “We go over that play at practice. Read the screen, retrace and that’s exactly what he did.
“He ended up fumbling, but he’s a lineman, so it’s whatever.
“Latterner’s there to scoop and score. Right place, right time – it was a spark for us.”
Penn Cambria held its 12-0 advantage late in the third quarter until Sharon drove 93 yards for a 2-yard touchdown by White.
The Panthers nearly scored an insurance touchdown, but Jones was ruled out of bounds at the 2-yard line.
Sharon then had 53 seconds left to go 98 yards with no timeouts, but only made it to the 14.
“We stepped up and we took the challenge on the chin,” Jones said. “Next week is the same thing. It’s a challenge that we have to prepare for. We’re going to give it everything we have and hopefully get to play one more week.”
