The big game

Who: Penn Cambria at Central, 7 p.m.

Radio: MIX 94.7-FM

Records: Both teams are 4-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Coaches: Nick Felus is 15-38 in six seasons, including 8-15 in three years at Penn Cambria and 7-23 in three seasons at Altoona. Dave Baker is 211-207-11 in 41 seasons, including 85-37 in 10 years at Central and 126-170-11 in 31 years at Williamsburg.

Last week: Penn Cambria won, 41-14 at Somerset. Central won at home, 49-13 over Central Cambria.

By John Hartsock

jhartsock@altoonamirror.com

The Central High School football team’s first season in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference is entering a pivotal juncture.

The Scarlet Dragons host Penn Cambria in a matchup of unbeaten 4-0 conference teams at 7 p.m. tonight at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field.

Over the following two weeks, Central will visit defending District 6 Class 2A champ Richland on Oct. 1 and host returning PIAA Class 3A state semifinalist Bedford on Oct. 8 in conference showdowns.

The results of those games will go a long way in determining whether Central can win the LHAC championship this season.

“I’d say for us that the next three weeks is going to determine whether we will win the conference this year, because we will be playing the teams that have the best records so far,” Central coach Dave Baker said.

“And without a doubt, Penn Cambria is the best team that we’ve played to date this season,” Baker added.

Tonight’s game is big for Penn Cambria as well. Like Central, the Panthers are 4-0 in conference play.

“It seems like Richland, Bedford, Central and us will be playing each other during this stretch of schedule,” Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. “Heading into this part of our schedule is huge for us.

“We knew that when Central joined the Laurel Highlands Conference this year that they are the returning District (6 Class 3A) champions, so we’re definitely excited about this challenge that we’re going to face against them Friday night. We have an opportunity to go there and compete, and to see what we can do.”

Both teams feature outstanding junior quarterbacks who are the centerpieces of their offensive attacks.

Penn Cambria’s Garrett Harrold is a three-sport star who stands 6-feet-3 and is a dual threat both running and passing the ball.

Harrold has completed 45 of 76 passes for 723 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for a team-leading 589 yards on 58 carries and six scores.

Returning all-state selection Jeff Hoenstine spearheads a Central offense that has averaged over 47 points a game. The rifle-armed Hoenstine has completed 61 of 84 passes for 1,070 yards and 19 touchdowns, while throwing just one interception.

Both coaches will have their eyes on the opposing quarterback.

“Obviously, Hoenstine is an outstanding football player,” Felus said. “He not only has the ability to extend plays, but he does such a good job before the ball is snapped, knowing where to go with the football.

“He has a quick release and he has a lot of playmakers that he can spread the ball around to,” Felus added. “There’s not just one receiver that he’s looking to go to when he passes the ball.”

Indeed, Central has three receiving targets — sophomore Hunter Smith (17 catches for 199 yards and four touchdowns), senior Parker Gregg (13-247-2) and junior Eli Lingenfelter (10-251-4) who have double-figure reception totals. Gregg is also Central’s leading rusher with 393 yards on 35 carries and four TDS.

Senior wideout Devon Boyles, who stands 6-feet-5, has eight catches for 169 yards and five touchdowns, and senior tight end Ethan Eicher has seven receptions for 134 yards and four scores.

With Harrold at the controls, Penn Cambria’s offense is also quite potent, averaging over 34 points per game, and scoring over 40 points in both of its last two outings.

“Their main offensive threat is their quarterback Harrold,” Baker said. “He can both pass and run, and over the last couple of weeks, he’s been doing a lot of running with a couple hundred yards rushing both weeks. He’s obviously a good passer, but the key for us will be stopping his running game. If we can do that, it will help our chances a lot.”

Junior back Zach Grove has rushed for 334 yards on 48 carries and five touchdowns for Penn Cambria, while catching 11 passes for 224 yards and three TDS. Seniors Zach Broad (11 catches, 116 yards) and Cole Eberhart (10 catches, 148 yards, two touchdowns) are also big parts of Penn Cambria’s passing game.

Felus has been pleased with his team’s rushing attack behind an offensive line that includes center Ryan McGonigle, guards Mason Raymond and Andrew Wyland, and tackles Nick White and Kayden Logan, with H-back Vinnie Chirdon also providing blocking help.

Grove, like the rest of his Penn Cambria teammates, is relishing the challenge that Central will pose.

“Coming into this game at 4-0, we are really feeling it,” said Grove, a three-year starter on both offense and defense. “We know that Central is going to be a tough game, but we really do think that we have a good shot against them, and we’re going to come into the game ready to win.”