November 7, 2009 — CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — The Blue Devils are heading into the playoffs with a full head of steam.
Getting another gangbuster performance from junior running back Corey Dunton and a near-perfect game from senior quarterback Stephen Kargol, Cambridge Springs extended its winning streak to five games Friday night with a 35-0 shutout over arch-rival Saegertown in Region 2 action at Baird Field.
It was the Blue Devils’ (7-3, 6-2) third shutout during the streak.
“We are playing pretty good football right now,” said Cambridge Springs coach Walt Nottingham. “I’m really happy with our defensive effort in these past few games.”
At the midway point during the season, Cambridge Springs was sputtering with a 2-3 record. But, Nottingham didn’t get discouraged and managed to turn the season around.
“The biggest thing in our turnaround has been consistency,” said Nottingham. “We made some crucial turnovers in our losses earlier in the season. We haven’t turned the ball over in recent games.”
It also helps to have a running back the caliber of Dunton.
Scoring the Spa’s first two touchdowns on a 28-yard reception and 15-yard run and setting up the third touchdown with a 47-yard run, Dunton had a spectacular evening with 178 yards rushing on 21 attempts and 35 yards receiving.
Dunton now has 1,037 yards rushing on the season.
“Corey isn’t that fast, but he hits the hole hard,” said Nottingham. “He had another strong game for us.”
So did Kargol.
The Blue Devils’ silky smooth signal-caller was five-for-six for 105 yards. He threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to John Turner on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter and a 36-yard scoring strike to split end Blake Flick later in the period.
“We were pretty balanced (Friday),” said Nottingham. The Spa racked up 409 yards in total offense.
The Dunton highlight reel started early as the junior began the Spa’s second possession with a 23-yard run and finished with a 28-yard touchdown reception. On the score, Dunton caught Kargol’s pass in the left flat and cut back across the field.
With 4:50 remaining in the first half, Dunton burst through a hole on the left side untouched and scored on a 15-yard run.
On the Blue Devils’ first series in the third quarter, Dunton ripped off a 47-yard run to give the Spa first-and-goal at Saegertown’s 1.
A sure touchdown, huh? Not so fast.
Bursting into the Blue Devils’ backfield, Saegertown sophomore defensive tackle Josh Tomiczek tackled Dunton for a three-yard loss on first down and then hauled down the Spa running back again for no gain on third down.
After a five-yard penalty, Cambridge Springs had fourth-and-eight. No problem. Kargol fired a perfect spiral to Turner on a slant in the end zone.
Kargol’s arm did some more damage a few minutes later. He lofted an in-stride pass to Flick down the right sideline for a 36-yard touchdown.
The Spa’s final touchdown came on Shawn Reynolds’ two-yard quarterback sneak with 4:07 left in the game.
Next up for the Blue Devils: a playoff clash with Sharpsville presumably next weekend at a site and time to be determined.
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