Harrisburg vs. Cumberland Valley

Written by: Michael Martone on Saturday, October 27th, 2012. Follow Michael Martone on Twitter.

Cumberland Valley hosted the Harrisburg Cougars on their senior night. This was by far CV’s most emotional game of the season; one that you hate to see them lose. After the touching ceremony introducing the Cumberland Valley marching band, dance team, cheerleading, and of course football seniors, the teams finally took to the field.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, Harrisburg ran away with this game from their first offensive possession. Literally. As their first play from scrimmage, RB Robert Martin burst through a wide open hole and outran everyone on the field for an 87 yard touchdown. On Harrisburg’s next possession, Martin again showed his ridiculous speed and took off for a 50 yard run. Martin took the Cougars first three offensive plays for 147 yards before the first quarter even ended.

To cap off this drive, QB Kyle Cook snuck it in for a 2 yard touchdown run. Tyler Updegraff blocked the extra point. Cumberland Valley’s answering drive was the highlight drive of the game. The Eagles drive started out like any other – a handoff to FB Jeremy Salmon. But as Salmon headed down field in a movie like moment, he fully hurdled a Harrisburg pursuer for a twenty yard run. As the stadium erupted, it only seemed right for Jeremy Salmon, someone that has been so important to this Cumberland Valley football organization, to score the 1 yard touchdown. It truly was a magical moment for CV, but it was short lived. The Eagles kicked off, looking to build on some momentum, but return man Jalen Kent took it 74 yards for the touchdown to silence the crowd. Tim Spinelli blocked the extra point.

CV went into the locker room down 19-7 at the half.

After multiple punts, Harrisburg picked back up halfway through the quarter. Cook took the Cougars down to the goal line, and finished it off himself with a one yard QB sneak. Harrisburg faked the extra point – #64 Brian Finley ran it in for the two point conversion, making the score 27-7.

The Eagles took their next drive down to the goal line thanks to a 30 yard screen to RB Tyler Hartzel, who then ran a sweep to the right from 5 yards out for the touchdown. After an electrifying 55 yard kickoff, and a 30 yard run from RB Jalen Williams that would have been a touchdown without a ridiculous open field tackle by Tyler Updegraff, Kyle Cook snuck it in from the 2 for his third rushing touchdown of the night. That would be the last time either of the teams would score.

The final score – Cumberland Valley(6-3) 14, Harrisburg(7-2) 34.

Both of these teams showed very run-oriented offenses. There was a total of 9 completed passes, and 0 touchdown passes; but 6 rushing touchdowns between the two. Robert Martin led Harrisburg in rushing with 166 yards on 11 carries (15.1 ypc) and a TD, while Jeremy Salmon rightfully led Cumberland Valley in rushing with 73 yards on 10 carries and a TD.

But the real story of the night was this group of Cumberland Valley seniors. They may have lost, but CV played hard. There wasn’t much room to run on offense, but Salmon and Hartzel grinded it out as they always do. It was great to see each of them score a touchdown. It was a bitter-sweet night filled with emotion and passion. These players left their hearts out on the field, none more than team captain, and leader Jeremy Salmon who said after the game “We’ve been playing with each other since we were five years old, we’ve been brothers. We’re going to be brothers until the end. We’re a family, and it’s going to be hard leaving it.” He has certainly left his mark on this Cumberland Valley football program. Thank you to the Cumberland Valley seniors Brady Miller, Devon Walker, Corey Johnson, Patrick Lauer, Jason Houy, Ian Clelan, Jason Fenicle, Tom D’Arcy, Bret Waggoner, McClain Fultz, Ben Fernback, Tyler Hartzel, Garret Long, Matt Marrazzo, Spencer Sheely, and Jeremy Salmon. Good luck to you all, go Eagles!

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