After an anxious hour of waiting for the lightning to end, it finally came. Friday Night football arrived and this one did not disappoint. Don’t let the final score of Cumberland Valley 35 – Central York 17 fool you, this game was as action packed as any.
The game started out with a bang. CV’s return man Tyler Updegraff fumbled the opening kickoff and the Panthers quickly pounced on it at the eight yard line. They took advantage of their opportunity, and kicked a field goal for the first score of the game. Once CV got the ball back, QB Ben Ferback dropped back and Panthers CB Keith Staggers picked off his FIRST pass of the game and returned it 32 yards however the Central York drive ended in a punt. Soon after, CV’s Jeremy Salmon took control of the game with his legs. A 30 yard catch by Tommy D’Arcy, and a couple of very impressive runs by Tyler Hartzel and Salmon put the Eagles at the two yard line. From there, Salmon easily punched it in to make the score 7-3 CV.
On Cumberland Valley’s very next possession, Salmon again scored from the 2 yard line to put the Eagles up 14-3. Salmon wasn’t done there. The Panthers fumbled the ensuing kickoff and CV recovered at the 31. Hartzel picked and spun his way down to the one yard line, and then guess who? Jeremy Salmon ran for his third touchdown of the night (on three consecutive possessions) extending the Eagles lead to 21-3.
Central York’s offense was almost non-existent until the clock wound down to 1:30 in the first half. They finally came alive, more specifically the combination of QB Corey Hart and WR Darian Hampton. After a few perfectly thrown passes by Hartz, the duo connected for a beautiful one handed catch followed by a ten yard touchdown catch by Hampton. The teams went into the locker room at half time with the score Cumberland Valley 21-Central York 10.
To start the second half, Hartz and Hampton picked up right where they left off with a 31 yard catch and run. The Panthers were driving again but CV’s Garret Long, wasn’t about to let that happen. He stepped in front of a pass, and was off to the races for a 70 yard pick making seven since he added his own extra point. On Central York’s very next drive, Long jumped another route for his second interception of the game.
The rest of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth were relatively quiet until CV’s Garret Long went down to the ground without being touched while running after a pass thrown over his head. The whistle had blown, and no one was within 10 yards of him when he went down. Long sat out the rest of the game but he gave CV fans a good sign by walking off on his own. Later head coach Tim Rimpfel told us “he was just cramping up”.
Eventually CV got the ball back at the Panther’s 18 looking for another score. The drive started out going the opposite direction when Ferback was sacked for a loss of 11 but Tyler Hartzel soon made up for it by scoring from 29 yards out to make the score 35-10. Kicking must run in the family, because when Garret Long went down, he was replaced by his younger brother Connor Long to kick the extra point. The Panthers answered back with a touchdown of their own. Hartz connected with #10, Marquis Fells, for a seven yard catch for the last score of the game. CV ran the clock out, happy with their 35-17 victory.
After the game, when asked about the Hartz-Hampton relationship that seemed to blossom tonight, Central York head coach Brad Livingston said “It’s been there all along. It’s just been a matter of doing it under the lights.” Hartz completed 19 of his 37 passing attempts for 264 yards, and he really impressed the fans in doing so. Hartz was making accurate throws on the run, while still putting zip on the ball. He showed great arm strength and accuracy. His “other half”, Darian Hampton was outstanding as well catching ten passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Hartz and Darian Hampton showed chemistry and created hope for Central York.
When asked about Garret Long, Cumberland Valley head coach Tim Rimpfel said that Long is “strong, fast, quick and very competitive.”
Cumberland Valley plays arch rival Bishop McDevitt next week at home. It’s going to be a challenge, but with a roster this loaded with talent, look for Cumberland Valley to continue their win streak this season.
