Big plays, turnovers doom Highlanders in setback

Aug 30, 2023

Aug 26, 2023

By Rick Weaver

For the Mirror

COMMODORE — Cambria Heights committed a pair of turnovers and was victimized by a pair of big-yardage plays in its 19-7 loss to Purchase Line in the Heritage Conference football season opener on Friday night at Barry T. Madill Field.

The Highlanders’ only score came in the third quarter when Stephen Nelen scored from 4 yards to help create a 7-all tie. The touchdown followed a pass interception by junior Marshall Eckenrode.

“They dominated the line of scrimmage; both sides of the ball, That was the difference in the game,” Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis said.

Play of the game: Purchase Line senior Brock Small answered the Highlanders’ lone score with a 56-yard touchdown run.

Player of the game: Purchase Line senior Jaylin Robertson scored two touchdowns, including a 37-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter that clinched the verdict. He also caught a 4-yard scoring pass from John Elick just before halftime for the game’s initial score.

Unsung hero: Elick, the Purchase Line senior quarterback, rushed for 35 yards and completed 9 of 14 passes for 76 yards to keep Cambria Heights honest.

Most vital statistics: Cambria Heights totalled 128 yards. Highanders quarterback Isaac Weiland threw for 41 yards and was intecepted twice.

Purchase Line coach Matt Falisec, on Small’s scoring burst: “We needed that right there. That was huge for us because that gave our kids a ton of momentum. That was a great run by Brock. That was a little trap, he broke it up through. I don’t think he got touched. But that was a great job by our line.”

Lewis, on the Robertson’s second-quarter touchdown: “The score before the half was a big score, obviously. But you’ve got to be able to do something on the line of scrimmage. We have to sustain something.”

Notable: Nelen led the Highlanders with 55 rushing yards. Jaxxon Kline followed with 53 rushing yards. … Hunter Nelen (25 yards) and Stephen Nelen (nine) shared team-high receiving honors with three catches. … Isaac Weiland completed 8 of 19 passes for 41 yards. He was intercepted twice. … Austin Chambers led all players with five pass receptions (35 yards). … Purchase Line scored its first victory against the Highlanders in three years. … Small led all rushers with 99 yards on 17 attempts.

Records: Purchase Line (1-0), Cambria Heights (0-1).

Next week: Cambria Heights plays host to Marion Center, and Purchase Line welcomes River Valley on Friday night.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Cambria Heights 0 0 7 0 — 7

Purchase Line 0 7 6 6 — 19

Second quarter

PL–Robertson 12 pass from Elick (Mountain kick), :16.

Third quarter

CH–S. Nelen 4 run (Abrams kick), :54.

PL–Small 56 run (kick failed), :44.

Fourth quarter

PL–Robertson 37 interception return (kick failed). 3:07.

TEAM STATISTICS CH PL

First downs 9 14

Total yards 128 199

Rushes-yards 29-87 42-123

Yards passing 41 76

Passes-completetion-int. 8-19-2 8-14-1

Punts-avg. 5-42.7 3-31.6

Fumbles-lost 2-0 3-0

Penalties-yards 4-45 2-20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing–Cambria Heights, S.Nelen 10-55, Kline 14-50, Eckenrode 1-(-1), Weiland 4-(-19). Purchase Line, Small 17-99, Elick 15-35, Robertson 1-3, Chambers 9-(-14).

Passing–Cambria Heights, Weiland 8-18-2, Team 0-1-0. Purchase Line, Elick 9-14-1.

Receiving–Cambria Heights, H.Nelen 3-25, S.Nelen 3-9, Eckenrode 1-8, Jasper 1-(-1). Purchase Line, Chambers 5-35, Robertson 1-12, Bartlebaugh 1-9, Matko 1-8, Small 1-0.

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