The Following story was first published in the Sunday Sept. 8 edition of the Tri-County Sunday out of DuBois. The story has been reprinted with permission. Please visit the Tri-County Sunday/DuBois Courier-Express website at www.thecourierexpress.com for more information on the newspaper.

By Pat Lewis

EMPORIUM –Don’t you just Lovett!

In celebration of his first varsity coaching win, the Cameron County Red Raiders lifted first-year head coach Brian Lovett onto their shoulders at the end of the game. The Red Raiders put together several goal-line stands to upend the Port Allegany Gators 7-6 in high-school football action Friday night.

"It feels good, for the kids," Lovett said. "For this team, it was their first win. It is what they needed. They have worked hard for it this past week."

On Port’s second possession of the game they moved the ball across midfield to the Raider 42-yard line. A sack by Cameron County nose tackle Jon Doud put the ball back to the 47-yard line.

Facing a third and long, Port Allegany opted for a pass play. Cameron’s Scott Aikens cut in front of the receiver and came up with the only interception of the evening at the 29-yard line.

One play later, the Red Raiders were in the end zone.

For the second week in a row, Cameron County quarterback Kyle Vogt hooked up with Aikens, who had his second 100-yard receiving game of the year, on a long pass play for a Raider score. Vogt hit Aikens on a down and out pattern where he raced 71 yards out sprinting Gator defenders to pay dirt. Eric Campbell added the extra point that later ended up being the difference in the game.

Two times Port threatened as they drove into Raider territory only to see their drives stop at the 23- and 16-yard lines.

But the third time was a charm for the Gators.

Port started a nine-play drive at the 50-yard line shortly before half.

With the ball on the 23-yard line and only 3 seconds to play, Craig Flint threw a perfect over the shoulder pass to Matt Rankin who raced into the end zone as time expired in the first half. The extra point attempt failed making the score 7-6 in favor of Cameron County.

The second half featured all defense, as neither team was able to get their offense on track.

Late in the fourth quarter, however, Port put a scare into the Red Raiders.

Facing a fourth-and-2 at the Raider 41-yard line, the Gators chose to go for it. Gator Claude Haskins went off tackle and raced through a huge hole toward the end zone. Raider defensive back Adam Kesterholt made a touchdown-saving tackle at the 2-yard line to keep the Gators at bay. Two plays later, Cameron linebacker Eric Johnson delivered a punishing hit and then pounced on the ball as it rolled free ending the Gator threat.

"Adam Kesterholt did a great job by catching No. 21 (Haskins)," Lovett said. "But that kind of sums up how our kids played all game. They never gave up. I am really proud of the guys. Now we have to get ready for next week."

Cameron County 7, Port Allegany 6

Score by Quarters

Port Allegany 0 6 0 0 6

Cameron County 7 0 0 0 7

Scoring
First Quarter
CC – Kyle Vogt to Scott Aikens 71 yd pass (Campbell kick) 4:59
Second Quarter
PA – Craig Flint to Matt Rankin 23 yd pass (Kick Failed) 0:01

CC Port

First Downs 7 9
Rushing Yds 35-38 53-185
Passing yds 159 37
Passing 5-13-0 6-17-1
Total Yardage 197 222

Punts-avg 6-32.5 3-36.3
Fumbles-lost 2-1 3-2
Penalty Yds 6-55 7-60

Individual Stats

Rushing- CC: Adam Kesterholt 5-31, Eric Campbell 2-2, Kyle Vogt 13- (-28), Scott Aikens 5-16, Keith Horning 9-16, Joe Glosek 1-1: Port: Claude Haskins 16-85, Jeremy Tanner 3-20, Adam Rohrer 18-78, Craig Flint 7-(-27), Joe Hardes 8-29, Bobby Nichols 1-0.
Passing- CC: Kyle Vogt 5-13-0 159 yds, 1 touchdown. Port: Craig Flint 6-17-1 37 yds, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
Receiving- CC: Scott Aikens 2-120 1 TD, Eric Ward 1-25, Adam Kesterholt 1-10, Caleb Graham 1-4: Port: Matt Rankin 2-30, 1 TD, Claude Haskins 3-7, Joe Hardes 1-(-5).
Interceptions: CC – Scott Aikens