Spring-Ford stays unbeaten, staves off Cumberland Valley, 20-14

ROYERSFORD >> Josh Hellauer does a little bit of everything for the unbeaten Spring-Ford Rams football team.

He is a defensive end, tight end and also handles the kickoff and punting chores for the back-to-back Pioneer Athletic Conference champion Rams.

Hellauer, a 5-10, 195-pound senior, showed his ability in all phases of the game Friday night as Spring-Ford defeated Cumberland Valley, a traditional District 3 powerhouse, 20-14, at Coach McNelly Stadium.

Spring-Ford improved its record to 6-0, sealing up its spot in the four team District 1-6A playoff field, while Cumberland Valley dropped to a misleading 1-5.

Cumberland Valley took a 7-0 lead at the end of the first period. They were the first points scored against the Rams in the first half this season and marked the first time all season Spring-Ford trailed in a game.

But then the Rams’ defense, which has been so solid all year, kept the visitors off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.

Along with Hellauer, Spring-Ford got some big defensive plays from senior linebacker Zach Marinello, senior linebacker Mason Brill, senior defensive back Nathan Capers, senior defensive lineman DJ Francis, junior defensive end Gavin Shafer and freshman linebacker Mike Bendowski.

“Our defense has been solid,” said Hellauer. “We take a lot of pride in our defense.

“We knew coming into the game, they would be tough. But we settled in after a couple snaps and knew we could play with them. We played them hard.”

Hellauer and the rest of the Rams applied pressure on Cumberland Valley sophomore quarterback Isaac Sines all evening. Even when he completed passes, the scrambling left-hander was under a heavy rush. Hellauer and the rest of his group batted down passes up front.

Junior linebacker Ryan Horvath and senior defensive back Nick Teets made key interceptions for the Rams as a result of that heavy pursuit up front.

Andrew Yoon scored on a 12-yard touchdown run on an end around to put the Rams on the scoreboard with 11:19 remaining in the second period to knot the score at 7-7.

Then junior quarterback Ryan Freed scored on a 1-yard keeper to put Spring-Ford on top 14-7 with 4:57 left in the first half. Alex Nadeau booted the extra points following both touchdowns.

Harry Adieyefeh added a 6-yard TD run with 2:38 left in the third quarter to give the hosts a 20-7 lead. Adieyefeh found the end zone on a run wide to the right side, advancing over the goal line just inside the pylon.

The Eagles made it close when sophomore running back/linebacker J.D. Hunter caught a 15-yard scoring toss from Sines in the fourth quarter.

“They (Eagles) play in a tremendous league,” said Spring-Ford head coach Chad Brubaker.

“Cumberland Valley has won 13 titles in District 3 and one state title.”

With that type of tradition, Spring-Ford knew it was going to have its hands full with the Eagles.

Cumberland Valley is from Mechanicsburg and plays in the Mid-Penn Conference-Commonwealth. The head coach is Josh Oswalt.

The Eagles’ losses have been to the likes of Altoona, State College and Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg.

The Eagles were hurt by some costly penalties at key stages of the game. But they still hung tough. Some of their main players are also on the young side. Sophomore lineman Ridge Crispino had a sack. Junior linebacker Max Wilken made an interception. Freshman linebacker Alex Sauve made some big contributions.

And along with those youngsters was some solid play by senior wide receiver/defensive back Gavin Conklin and senior running back/defensive back Kellan Walker, and senior linebacker Derik Sauve.

“They are different from teams we play in the PAC,” said Brubaker. “They play a different game. We knew what we needed to try to prepare for. That will help prepare us for teams we are going to see in the playoffs.”

Brubaker noted Hellauer’s importance in Friday’s win and the Rams’ special season thus far.

“Josh does a great job for us,” said Brubaker. “He is the type of player you want. He does everything we ask him to do, and he’s smart. You tell him once, and everything is good. He knows what to do. He is a special player.”

The Rams had a 51-yard TD pass from Freed to Teets nullified due to a penalty during the third quarter.

Hellauer and senior linebacker Nasir Cooke combined on a tackle for loss after a Sines scramble in the second period that forced the Eagles to punt.

Spring-Ford also blocked a field goal try in the first quarter.

NOTES >> Kolten Kqira, Joe Brogan, Yoon, Hellauer, Teets and Zach Zollers were on the receiving end of Freed passes.

Spring-Ford 20, Cumberland Valley 14