Published: September 13, 2008 12:28 am         

Laurel Valley puts 2-0 mark on the line

Familiarity surrounds the Heritage Conference’s lone game today as Purchase Line travels to Laurel Valley in a battle of 2-0 teams.

The Red Dragons defeated the Rams twice last season, 35-6 in the regular season and 21-0 in the District 6 Class A quarterfinals – both times at Commodore. With the Dragons returning 17 starters from last year, Laurel Valley coach Jerry Page knows what his opponents are capable of.

“We expect an aggressive football team that can run the football,” Page said. “Our goal is to stop the run. (Purchase Line) has a fine group of running backs and some size up front.

“We’re going to have to be prepared for a strong running team.”

Both teams subscribe to a run-first philosophy which, according to Purchase Line coach Dave Small, was inspired by Page.

“I learned from one of the best in Coach Page in that you do what you do well and perfect what you’re doing,” Small said.

Marcus Welshons leads the Rams on the ground with 205 yards and three scores. Speedy sophomore Bryan Saxton has also given the Rams a touch of explosiveness despite his 5-foot-5 frame.

Laurel Valley, which has not lost to Purchase Line in New Florence since 1996, downed Penns Manor 29-22 last week while Purchase Line was taken to overtime by Blairsville before pulling out a 33-27 win.

In other action today:

n Ferndale at Blacklick Valley: The Vikings (0-2) return home to welcome the 0-2 Yellow Jackets in an afternoon tilt at Nanty Glo.

Blacklick Valley fell on the road at Portage 54-7 with Taylor Holby’s 11-yard run providing the Vikings’ lone score.

Ferndale scored 19 seconds into its game last week as Hayden Stumpo found Ryan Gaunt for a 70-yard strike, but eventually fell to Rockwood 34-12.

n Conemaugh Valley at Rockwood: The seemingly undermanned, yet unbeaten, Blue Jays take to the road to battle Rockwood in a 1 p.m. clash.

Despite having only about 20 players, Conemaugh Valley boasts the area’s second-best statistical rusher in Steve Ling, who has 388 yards on 43 rushes.

Ling has also scored five touchdowns for the Blue Jays, who thrashed Meyersdale 48-7 last week.

The Rockets, who are playing in their third straight Saturday game, topped Ferndale 34-12 last week. Joe Miller ran for 227 yards in the victory.

n Richland at Bishop Carroll: The Huskies (2-0) open section play in the LHAC tonight as the Rams (1-1) hope to change their luck after a 21-14 loss at Central Cambria.

Bishop Carroll topped Bedford on the road last week and is supported on the ground by Brendan Julock’s 335 yards.

The Rams’ Giovanni Ramires leads the area in passing yardage with 464.

n Cambria Heights at Bishop Guilfoyle: The Highlanders take to the road tonight in an effort to extend their recent success in a battle of 1-1 teams at Altoona’s Mansion Park.

The Highlanders snapped a 35-game losing streak in the LHAC last week with a 26-20 double-overtime win over Somerset.

Bishop Guilfoyle fell to Bishop McCort 39-35 at Mansion Park.

     

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