COCHRANTON —
A few minutes after finishing the regular season with a 40-10 victory over Maplewood on Friday night, Cochranton coach Nathan Liberty gathered his players and screamed, “Where are we going?”
His players emphatically responded, “Playoffs.”
Breaking an nine-year dry spell, Liberty & Co. secured their playoff spot with their sixth win in nine decisions and a 5-2 Region 2 mark.
The first-year Cochranton coach — who got doused with the water bucket — was a little emotional afterwards.
“I’m so happy for these kids ... especially the seniors,” he said. “They (seniors) really stepped up for us this season. They put a lot on their shoulders and led the way.”
The five seniors: Austin Andrews, Cameron Cyphert, Brandon Hostetler, Shane Keller and AJ Nageotte.
Liberty nearly didn’t have his seniors to rely on.
“They were very skeptical about coming out this year. They were tired of losing. We had to pull some hairs to get to play.”
No regrets now.
Andrews, the workhorse running back for Liberty, had a phenomenal final regular-season game. He rushed for 221 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns.
Cyphert, Liberty’s middle linebacker, stamped his name on the defensive side with three bone-crunching tackles. Nageotte hauled in two passes for 73 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown reception.
Get the picture? Cochranton dominated.
On Cochranton’s first play from scrimmage, Andrews busted loose for a 48-yard touchdown scamper.
With 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Cochranton tailback Garrett Adams scored on an 11-yard run to give the Cardinals a 12-0 lead.
Maplewood closed to within 12-10 in the second quarter as Justin Dahl booted a 25-yard field goal and quarterback Nate Klingler scored on a five-yard run.
A Tigers’ upset in the works? Not quite.
Capitalizing on a Maplewood fumble, Cochranton increased its lead to 20-10 as junior quarterback Chad Eisenhooth hooked up with split end Nageotte on the aforementioned 26-yard scoring completion with 4:34 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, the Cardinals were in complete control as Andrews scored on eight- and 14-yard runs and Eisenhooth crossed the goal line on a 26-yard keeper.
Defensively, Cochranton held Maplewood scoreless and only to 25 yards in total offense.
Eisenhooth nearly topped 100 yards in both passing and rushing. He completed four of 10 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 99 yards on 14 hauls.
Eisenhooth’s counterpart, Klingler, completed nine of 19 passes for 100 yards.
Local Sports
Cochranton punches ticket to playoffs with win
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H.S. BASEBALL: Rockets too much for Bulldogs in season finale
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H.S. BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Cards clinch No. 2 spot for D-10 tourney
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After falling in the 100-meter dash to Grove City’s Courtney Corbin in last year’s meet by .09 seconds, Sternby got her revenge by defeating Corbin by .10 seconds in this year’s event. -
H.S. SOFTBALL: Two-run sixth lifts Saegertown in Region 3 battle
With the playoffs looming, Saegertown head softball coach Mark McKissock hoped to get his girls an early taste of that intense postseason atmosphere.
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TRACK AND FIELD: ’Dogs prepare for districts
It’s amazing how much difference a year can make. Last year at this time, the Meadville girls track and field team was the Region 3 champion and a serious contender to dethrone Grove City as the District 10 Class AAA champion.
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H.S. BASEBALL: Saegertown rolls to sweep of Conneaut
Nothing could get in the way of the Saegertown baseball team picking up a pair of wins on Friday. Not even Mother Nature. With a dark cloud hanging over Ed Acker Field, the Panthers made quick work of Conneaut with a run-shortened 12-0 and 11-1 win in non-region play.
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H.S. Baseball: Mother Nature interrupts Conneaut winning streak
Most years the most devastating opposition for area softball and baseball teams is old Mother Nature.
This year has been no different. The wrath, however, has been a little less traumatic. -
H.S. TRACK & FIELD: ’Dogs close regular season with sweep
The Meadville track and field team ended the season with a bang on senior day and will be rolling into next week’s District 10 Class AAA Championships at Harbor Creek High School after sweeping Central Tech on Thursday at the Barco-Duratz Athletic Complex.
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H.S. BASEBALL: Oilers too slick for Eagles
LINESVILLE — The Oil City baseball team simply has Conneaut’s number this year.
“And that’s the only number we’ve had so far this year,” said Oil City head coach Adam Best. His team is now 2-12 on the season, 2-5 in Region 6. And both of those wins were against Conneaut. -
H.S. BASEBALL: CASH wins fourth straight after sweep of ’Dogs
It’s not everyday a baseball team can strand 16 runners in a seven-inning game and still celebrate a win.
But that’s just how productive Conneaut’s offense was on Monday as it defeated neighborhood foe Meadville 6-3 in a Region 6 clash at Eldred Glen. - More Local Sports Headlines
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