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RIDGWAY SOLIDIFIES PLAYOFF SPOT WITH WILD WIN OVER CAMERON CO. |
| OCT. 17, 2003 - Ridgway 47, Cameron County 28 |
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By Pat Lewis
Courtesy of the DuBois Courier-Express EMPORIUM – Halloween is two weeks away but the Cameron County Red Raiders (1-7) gave the Ridgway Elkers (7-1) an early scare as they squared off in AML action this week. Ridgway racked up 26 first half points which would usually be a comfortable lead on and average night. But this night was far from average. Cameron County responded by posting 21 first half points to keep the Elkers on their toes. Between the two teams, they found the end zone seven times in the first 24 minutes of play. Ridgway finally prevailed in the second half, logging a 47-28 victory over the Red Raiders. Ridgway struck first with a six play drive on their first possession set up by a 30 yard punt return by Kevin Sarginger to the Cameron 35 yard line. A 11 yard pass reception by Tom Buck moved the ball to the 24 yard line. Five straight running plays were capped by Tim Wright plowing into the end zone from the three. Nick Thompson added the extra point to finish the drive. The Red Raiders responded by putting together a twelve play drive of their own. Ridgway came back with a 64 yard drive. Using four different running backs, Garrett Viglione, Beau Iorfido, Wright, and Buck the Elkers methodically moved the ball down the field to the Raider 1 yard line. Tim Wright then bulled into the end zone for his second score. Thompson again added the extra point. Ridgway held Cameron on their next drive and forced a punt but the next four plays had everyone on both sides of the field sitting on the edge of their seats. With Ridgway in possession of the ball, Cameron’s Vogt hauled in a one handed interception giving the Raiders the ball at the 39 yard line. The Elkers returned the favor on the very next play as Ridgway’s Kartik Subramany intercepted the ball at the 4 yard line to give the Elkers possession. On Ridgway¹s first play after the interception, a botched handoff caused a fumble and Cameron¹s Keith Horning recovered it at the line of scrimmage. Horning was then rewarded on the next play as he carried the ball into the end zone from 4 yards out ending this fast and furious exchange. The kick failed and the Raiders trailed by one. A 42 yard kick off return by Cody Florian and four plays later, a successful fake punt by Kevin Sarginger moved the ball to the Elker 27 yard line. Runs by Wright and Zach Pontious placed the ball on the 5 yard line. Iorifido went around the right end to extend the lead to 20-13. The Red Raiders stuffed the two point conversion. Cameron County used a fake punt of their own on their next series. Facing a fourth and three and in punt formation, Kyle Vogt sidestepped several Ridgway tacklers and turned on the afterburners as he sprinted 63 yards to the end zone. He then went around right end for the two point conversion to give the Raiders their first and only lead in the game at 21-20. Vogt finished the game with 153 yards rushing on the game. Ridgway starting at the 35 yard line went to the air. Viglione hit Florian for a big gain and a 15 yard penalty moved the ball to the Elker 30 yard line. A sack moved the ball back to the 39 yard line. Unfazed, Viglione then hit Florian with a 39 yard touchdown pass on the next play. Again the Elker conversion failed making the half time score 26-21, Ridgway. After the half, it was a whole different ball game. Ridgway scored on three out of their first four possessions proving that their seven wins this season were earned. Another Cameron County score by Kesterholt was offset by touchdown runs by Ridgway¹s Buck, Iorfido, and Viglione giving the Elkers their seventh win of the season. The win by the Elkers secured a spot in the District 9 play-offs. After the game, Cameron County¹s head coach Brian Lovett had some thoughts on the game. "I felt our kids played with a lot of heart and we’re proud of them. Ridgway has a nice team and we wish
them well in the playoffs." |