Sportsbeat Game of the Week Coal Bowl Preview: Cambria Heights at Northern Cambria
NORTHERN CAMBRIA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two undefeated teams will clash Friday night when the Cambria Heights Highlanders (4-0) take on the Northern Cambria Colts (4-0) in the storied Coal Bowl rivalry at Northern Cambria.
This historic matchup, which dates back decades, reignites local passions and is one of the most anticipated games of the season. Both teams are undefeated, adding even more weight to the annual showdown.
"The Coal Bowl was really big back in the 80s and 90s," Northern Cambria head coach Sam Shutty said. "I remember coming up as a kid and feeling the intensity of the rivalry."
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The rivalry took a brief hiatus in the mid-2010s but returned two seasons ago with renewed fervor. In 2022, the Colts eliminated the Highlanders in the playoffs, only for Cambria Heights to exact revenge last year during a postseason rematch.
"We've played each other twice in the past couple of years," Cambria Heights head coach Jarrod Lewis said. "The stakes were high both times, and it's no different this year with both teams sitting at 4-0."
Cambria Heights recently moved up to Class 2A, which means Friday's game will be the only meeting between the two this season, raising the stakes even further.
"I think a lot of seniors define their success by whether they beat Cambria Heights or Northern Cambria," Shutty said. "This is going to be a game where players give a little extra on every play."
Both teams bring dominant defenses to the matchup, with all-state talents like Garrett Jasper for the Highlanders and Ty Dumm for the Colts leading the charge.
"The success isn't just about one player," Shutty said. "Our mottos is '11 as one,' and we live by that every day. Our guys are really supportive of each other, and that's something I'm proud of."
Northern Cambria's defense has been particularly fierce, allowing no team to score in the double digits this season. The Colts have recorded 55 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. Meanwhile, Cambria Heights has registered two shutouts and 48 tackles for a loss.
"We've got guys who been playing for three or four years now," Lewis said. "Not much surprises them at this point, and that's a big advantage on defense."
With so much history and both teams performing at the highest level, this year's Coal Bowl promises to be another classic in the rivalry's long tradition.
"I expect there to be a lot of people there, probably more than most of these players have ever played in front of," Lewis said. "It's going to be an exciting, special game."
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Tune in on WTAJ on Friday at 5:30 and 6 p.m. for live pregame coverage. Highlights and interviews from the action will air on Sportsbeat, starting at 11 p.m.
