Richland, Bald Eagle Area bring potent offenses into District 6-2A title contest

Nov. 18—The Richland High School football team is back in the District 6 Class 2A title game after having its string of four consecutive crowns snapped in 2022.

The second-seeded Rams (11-1) will meet top-seeded Bald Eagle Area (11-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona.

"For most of our kids, they've not played in this type of environment," Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. "Some of these kids were on the team as freshmen and sophomores when we won our last district title (in 2021). They were not on the field (in a regular role).

"This is exciting for these kids and hopefully we can bring another title back to the school."

Richland has dealt with injuries throughout the season, but did welcome back freshman quarterback Grayson Mahla last week in a semifinal victory over visiting Mount Union.

"He was out for four games and came back and really didn't miss a beat," Bailey said of Mahla, who completed 12 of 17 passes for 271 yards, three TDs and no interceptions last week.

"He's such a poised young man and such a team player.

"He was able to distribute the ball on offense and he had big runs when we needed it. He was really in control on offense."

Bailey said the status of senior playmaker and leading rusher/scorer Evan McCracken remained uncertain earlier in the week. McCracken has missed the past three games with a foot injury.

A PIAA track star, McCracken has 941 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 136 carries, an average of 6.9 a run. He also is an effective receiver and among the area's top defensive backs.

"His pure speed allows us to have that threat to score from anyplace or anywhere on the field," Bailey said. "Without him in the offensive lineup, we'd still be potent on offense, but wouldn't be able to score quickly all the time.

"On defense, he allows us to put pressure on the quarterback with his speed (in coverage) in the secondary."

The Rams have won two straight games since their only loss of the season to Central in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference title game. Central won the District 6 Class 3A crown last week over Penn Cambria.

Similarly, Bald Eagle Area has shrugged off its only loss of the season, a 13-7 setback to visiting Clearfield in Week 7.

Coach Jesse Nagle's team has won five straight.

"The Clearfield game was a perfect storm. It was pouring that night," Nagle said. "I think our kids needed a loss to refocus.

"We were kind of just going through the motions. Since then, I think they really focused on the goals we set at the beginning of the season."

Junior quarterback Carson Nagle has completed 230 of 316 passes for 3,065 yards, 35 touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior Cameron Dubbs has 1,069 rushing yards and 19 TDs.

Senior Kahale Burns has 79 receptions for 1,045 yards and 14 scores, while seniors Camron Watkins (48 catches, 672 yards, six TDs) and Gavin Burns (43-576, six) also have put up big receiving numbers.

"They're certainly one of the more prolific offenses that we've seen," Bailey said. "Coach Nagle has done a great job. Carson Nagle is a great quarterback with 35 TDs and only four interceptions. He's very consistent."

The younger Nagle is a seasoned veteran at quarterback.

"Carson is a three-year starter as a junior. As a freshman, our offensive coordinator (Brett Umbenhouer) threw him into the fire and he made some nice plays," Coach Nagle said. "Last year, we saw a huge jump in his decision-making and not forcing things. This year, he has made another huge jump and runs the whole offense.

"Coach Umbenhouer gives him the keys and he drives it."

Richland's Mahla also plays with poise. He's completed 100 of 153 passes for 1,625 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.

"He reminds me a lot of Carson (Nagle) when he was a freshman," Coach Nagle said. "He's good at running what Coach Bailey has in the playbook."

In McCracken's recent absence, senior Easton Robertson has gained 366 yards and has eight touchdowns in an expanded role.

Junior receiver Austin Yarnick (51 catches, 639 yards, seven TDs), freshman Arnold Mugerwa (22-553, five), McCracken (17-290, three) and freshman Jamere Christian (14-205, two) all have 200 or more receiving yards.

"They're a very good football team," Coach Nagle said. "Coach Bailey does an outstanding job checking in and out of plays, getting the best situation for his kids. It's going to be a very tall task."

Both coaches see a lot of similarities when watching game tape and expect a significant challenge in the title game.

"They're difficult to defend because they have so many different weapons," Bailey said. "They run the ball well. The Dubbs kid has 22 touchdowns. They have multiple receivers over 500 yards. Their ability to spread the ball around all over the field and their pre-snap movements and motions make it difficult on a defense."

Richland has won five District 6 crowns in 2A (2012, 2018 through 2021) and finished runner-up three times (2013, 2011, 1986). Bald Eagle Area won three Class 3A titles (1988, 2018, 2019).

"It's a Saturday night game. There is an extra day of preparation," Bailey said. "With a team like Bald Eagle Area, it's very helpful for us to have an extra day to get acclimated to the things they're going to do in all three phases.

"Both teams are prepared. They've been battle-tested. It's probably 'coach speak,' but the team that comes in and has the least amount of mental errors, the least amount of turnovers, probably has the best chance to win a championship."

Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.