By DOMINIC MEGATS
WINGATE — A year ago, Bald Eagle Area football head coach Jesse Nagle spoke to his huddled team, packed the buses and headed back from Penn Cambria High School to Wingate with a 47-24 loss to the Panthers weighing on his mind.
Fast forward to last Friday night, an experienced and revitalized Eagles team rewrote history against their powerhouse LHAC foe, winning 35-32 under the lights at Alumni Stadium.
“I’m so proud of the kids. We jumped on them (Penn Cambria), then they came back,” Nagle said following the win. “I said they don’t make the State Final Four two years in a row, they’re going to fight. The kids took the punches and we punched back.”
The Eagles shook off a first drive interception from quarterback Chase Cane to jump ahead 14-0 before the first quarter concluded. This was the only turnover from the senior in the game.
Cane threw for 73 yards on nine pass attempts against Huntingdon the week before. He followed that up with 125 passing yards on 17 total attempts and two total touchdowns against the Panthers.
“He’s (Cane) really bought in these last two years. I think he’s a kid that wanted it so bad because in the past, he’s kind of been put behind and lost a bunch of weight,” Nagle said. “He decided to go all in and now he’s led us to 2-0. Huntingdon’s a very good football team. Penn Cambria’s a very good football team. So, he just keeps on grinding, keeps on getting better. I’m very proud of him.”
After a one-sided first quarter, it was Penn Cambria’s turn to get on the scoreboard. Before the Eagles could get back into the redzone, the Panthers were only down one point after scoring on two-straight drives.
However, BEA responded with two unanswered drives of their own to close out the first half. Sam Clark scored the last touchdown before reaching halftime.
Clark followed his 188-yard performance against Huntingdon quietly with 30 yards on 13 rushes. Cane took the bulk of the rushing yards, finishing the evening with 111.
Much of the second half was controlled by the Panthers. Quarterback Evan Latterner took this time to pad his stats and get his team their first lead of the game.
Latterner threw for 291 yards and had four total touchdowns, one being an 86-yard pass to wide receiver Cameron Coudriet.
BEA couldn’t get on the scoreboard until late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 32-28, wide receiver Luke Hosband was able to reach the goal line, ultimately scoring the game-winner. Although only reaching the end zone once in the second half, the Eagles were able to get revenge against a strong conference opponent in their home opener.
“I’m so proud of our kids. I don’t even know which kid, there’s no one kid and that’s what’s so great about this team. Every kid steps up in different moments.” Nagle said.
Penn Cambria moves to 1-1 on the season and will host Forest Hills on Friday. BEA stays undefeated with a 2-0 record and will host Penns Valley on Friday.
