As the regular season ended Friday night, no one team could lay claim to the Heritage Conference championship. Instead, three teams will share the crown.
Cambria Heights, Marion Center and River Valley each finished with a 9-1 record. Between the three, Cambria Heights beat River Valley in Week 2, Marion Center beat Cambria Heights in Week 4, and River Valley beat Marion Center in Week 9.
The only Week 10 outcome that could have avoided the three-way knot was a loss by one of trio, but all three were favored on Friday night and all three came away victorious.
At River Valley, the Panthers jumped out to 10-0 lead against Northern Cambria after one quarter and led by just three, 17-14, at halftime, but River Valley pulled away in the second half and won, 38-14. Northern Cambria finished the regular season at 4-6. Jeff Cribbs had the recap on Cat Country 106.3 FM and Renda Digital TV.
Marion Center and Penns Manor were tied at 7-7 after one quarter, but the Stingers led by two scores, 28-14, at halftime and went on to beat the Comets, 41-20. The Comets finished 3-7 and ended their 17-year streak of making the playoffs. Todd Marino had the recap on U92.5.
Cambria Heights and West Shamokin were scoreless after one quarter, but that didn’t last long. The Highlanders went to halftime with a 21-0 lead and went on to win, 42-7. The Wolves finished at 1-9.
At Homer-Center, the Wildcats (7-3) took on Portage and looked to improve their playoff position. Homer-Center dominated the first half and started the second half with a 35-0 mercy rule advantage. Homer-Center defeated Portage (2-8), 41-6, and Mark Bertig had the recap on WCCS and Renda Digital TV.
United Valley (7-3) and Purchase Line (3-7) entered the second half tied at 14-14, but the LIons came away with a 41-22 win.
In the biggest rivalry game of the night, Conemaugh Township (6-4) routed Conemaugh Valley (0-10), 48-8.
Now it’s on to the District 6 playoffs.
CLASS AA
No. 1 Bishop McCort (10-0) vs No. 8 Bald Eagle Area (5-5)
No. 7 United Valley (7-3) at No. 2 Richland (9-1)
No. 6 Bellwood-Antis (6-4) at No. 3 River Valley (9-1)
*Bellwood ended River Valley’s season last year in playoffs, 43-14. Airtime 6:15 on Renda Digital TV and Cat Country 106.3 FM
No. 5 Marion Center (9-1) at No. 4 Cambria Heights (9-1)
* Marion Center defeated Cambria Heights, 26-25 at AmeriServe Bank Field back on September 12th. Airtime 6:15 on Renda Digital TV
CLASS A
No. 8 Purchase Line (3-7) at No. 1Bishop Guilfoyle (8-2)
No. 7 Northern Cambria (4-6) at No. 2 Juniata Valley (8-2)
No. 6 Glendale (4-6) at No. 3 Claysburg-Kimmel (8-2)
No. 5 Moshannon Valley (4-6) at No. 4 Homer-Center (7-3)
*Airtime 6:15 on WCCS & Renda Digital TV
