H.S. FOOTBALL: Cambridge Springs shuts out Saegertown

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September 1, 2012

H.S. FOOTBALL: Cambridge Springs shuts out Saegertown

By Dan Walk Meadville Tribune The Meadville Tribune Sat Sep 01, 2012, 02:41 PM EDT

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Though Saegertown was the team that made the bump to Class AA this season, Cambridge Springs looked like the bigger and stronger squad Friday night during a game between former Region 2 rivals at Baird Field in Cambridge Springs.

The Blue Devils forced four turnovers, including three interceptions inside their own 25-yard line, during a 19-0 victory over the Panthers.

The game was a stern contrast to last year’s 44-14 win for Saegertown, which featured a number of experienced players in 2011.

“Last year it took forever to us to get our defense started,” Cambridge Springs head coach Clint Rauscher said. “They came up big today when they needed to. I really think they were difference makers. ... The defense held us in there. I think we wore them down.”

Three players rushed for more than 90 yards for Cambridge (1-0). Colton Noble led the way with 132 yards on 14 carries, Quentin Stafford had 101 yards on 13 totes and quarterback Devin Walker tallied 91 yards on 12 attempts.

Neither team scored in the first quarter before the Blue Devils found the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. On his sixth pass of the game, Walker slung the ball deep on a second-and-11 to freshman receiver Kristofer Silbaugh, who pulled the ball in for a 43-yard touchdown grab.

Silbaugh, who was born without a left hand and hadn’t played football before this year, brought the ball in with ease before he scored the first touchdown of his career.

“I was telling everybody that this guy is our best receiver and he’s got one hand,” Rauscher said. “It’s about concentration. The kid’s quick, he works hard.”

Not only was the play important for the Devils’ confidence, but it was a huge boost for Silbaugh, whom Rauscher said was nervous and dropped a few balls during Cambridge’s scrimmages.

“I was really excited, the team was excited,” Silbaugh said. “You just gotta focus real hard in practice, try your best and execute during the games.”

After its initial touchdown, Cambridge went to its bread-and-butter under second-year coach Rauscher — onside kicks. The onside kick caught Saegertown off-guard and upon recovery, the Devils had the ball on the Panthers’ 47-yard line.

The Blue Devils slowly moved the ball down the field before they reached a third-and-3 at the 21-yard line. That’s when Stafford broke free for a 21-yard touchdown. Stafford’s point after the touchdown was no good, meaning Cambridge would take a 13-0 lead into halftime.

Much like the first quarter, defense was the theme of the third quarter. Cambridge drove all the way to the 1-yard line but had to turn the ball over on downs. Two possessions later, the Panthers had a third-and-9 at the Devils’ 34-yard line when a halfback pass by Kyle Wise was intercepted by Gavin Hohn at the 7-yard line.

Immediately after the interception, Noble broke free for a 67-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Stafford lost a fumble at the 21-yard line. Once Saegertown was held to a three-and-out, Cambridge scored the final touchdown of the day.

Walker used a quarterback keeper to score from 45 yards out. The two-point conversion failed, but it was 19-0 Cambridge midway through the final quarter.

Saegertown had one last chance to score as it crossed Cambridge’s 25-yard line. But an interception at the 7-yard line by freshman Zach Stafford — his second on the day — sealed the shutout for the Devils.

“We definitely have some athletes back there,” Rauscher said about his secondary. “That’s the big thing, when guys go after the football. I think we were actually out of position a little bit a couple of times but they made plays.”

For Saegertown head coach Mike Rhoades, Cambridge Springs simply wanted to win the game more.

“We’re young and No. 2 that team was a tougher team than my team,” Rhoades said. “My guys didn’t want it as bad as they did.”

Behind a defense that didn’t give up much, Quentin Stafford, Cambridge’s only senior, is now looking forward to the rest of the season.

“I think it is going to be a good season,” he said. “Today was a good day for us.”

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