Bald Eagle football stuns Class AAA power Penn Cambria in thrilling home opener
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WINGATE – After blowing past Bald Eagle Area in 2025, the Penn Cambria football team had a completely different experience in 2026's rematch on the road. The rejuvenated Eagles came to play in front their home crowd at Alumni Stadium on Friday, handing the Panthers their fourth regular-season loss in three seasons when it was all said and done.
Though Penn Cambria (1-1) fought back from multiple two-score deficits and took a late lead, scoring 19 unanswered points in the third, Bald Eagle mustered up the response it needed to turn back the tide. A 13-play, 87-yard drive that drained eight minutes off the clock helped it recapture the lead, and its defense held firm from there to clinch the 35-32 victory.
The loss came despite strong performances from multiple Panthers. Senior quarterback Evan Latterner totaled 372 yards and four touchdowns, making an impact with his arm and legs, and Corbin Vinglish (15 touches, 136 yards) and Cameron Coudriet each posted long touchdown receptions that helped the team take its first and only lead deep in the third.
From head coach Jason Grassi's standpoint, it was a matter of that success coming a tad late that kept Penn Cambria out of the win column. Their response was strong, but it came with Bald Eagle having established a 28-13 cushion, a cushion which kept it in striking distance when the Panthers briefly captured the momentum.
"The first half, we just weren't ready to go," said Grassi. "I take responsibility for that. We regrouped at halftime, came out. Our kids played with passion and in the way that we play football, we just came up a little bit short there. I'm proud of our guys."
For Bald Eagle (2-0), the key was composure in tough spots. On two occasions, Bald Eagle saw two-score leads – 14-0 and 28-13 – evaporate behind big plays from the Panthers. And in both scenarios, it managed a response that diminished Penn Cambria's perceived control.
In the second, Bald Eagle closed the first half with 14 unanswered points to go into the break with its largest lead of the night. Drew Nagle and Luke Hosband connected for a 56-yard touchdown on a trick play to make it an eight-point game. Then, Eagles needed 50 seconds to drive 43 yards for a score less than half a minute before halftime, with Sam Clark closing it out with a two-yard touchdown run.
That lead would vanish sporadically through the third. But when most necessary, the Eagles locked in, working their way down field, converting multiple third downs – and one fourth – before Luke Hosband capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown. From there, Penn Cambria drove to the BEA 30 before Bald Eagle stifled it, with James Cowan's second sack of the night sealing the deal.
"I'm so proud of the kids," said Bald Eagle head coach Jesse Nagle on the win. "We jumped on them, then they came back. The kids took the punches, and we punched back."
"I don't even know which kid, there's no one kid that stood out. And that's what's so great about this team. Every kid steps up in different moments. It takes a total team effort to beat a team like that," he continued.
Player of the game: Bald Eagle senior wide receiver Luke Hosband stepped up in a lot of ways on Friday night, totaling 108 yards and two touchdowns on seven touches while logging multiple pass deflections defensively. His 56-yard touchdown reception in the second, helped BEA take back control late in the first half, and his three-yard touchdown run ended up being the game winner.
Unsung heroes: While both teams scored five touchdowns on the night, the scores were different due to special teams success. Andrew Penland went 5-for-5 on PATs for the Eagles and on the other end, Bald Eagle blocked Penn Cambria's first point-after. That blocked PAT forced the Panthers to go for two later in the game, and they were never able to make up that difference, allowing the Eagles to take a late lead. Penland also pinned Penn Cambria deep on his second punt, which helped set up his team's second score.
Most vital statistic: Though the game was defined by its offense, defensive successes stood out for the Eagles. Bald Eagle took two first-half fumbles and turned them into 14 points to go into the half with a two-score lead. It held Penn Cambria to two third-down conversions and logged four second-half sacks as well, both which forced the Panthers to convert from tougher spots.
Penn Cambria coach Jason Grassi: "Every time you're on the field, you learn from it, whether you win or lose. We're going to learn from this, get better next week and look to go out and perform against our next opponent"
Bald Eagle coach Jesse Nagle: "The message is simple; we go one game at a time. We battle one game at a time, and we do it for each other. So, I think if we keep that mindset, keep grinding, hopefully, good things keep coming."
Notable: In his second start under center, Bald Eagle senior Chase Cane surpassed 100 yards through the air and on the ground. His ability to handle pressure despite his lack of starting experience proved crucial on multiple occasions throughout Friday's game, most notably on the team's game-winning 87-yard drive in the second half.
Records: Bald Eagle 2-0. Penn Cambria 1-1.
Next week: Penn Cambria returns home to host Forest Hills, and Bald Eagle hosts its second straight home against Penns Valley.
Bald Eagle 35, Penn Cambria 32
Penn Cambria 0 13 19 0
Bald Eagle Area 14 14 7
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1st Quarter
BEA – Chase Cane 36 run (Andrew Penland kick), 3:46.
BEA – Cane to Jack Kleisath 16 pass (Penland kick), 1:44.
2nd Quarter
PC – Evan Latterner to Nate Mack 20 pass (Charlie Golden kick), 10:54.
PC – Ian Beck 4 run (Golden kick), 8:32.
BEA – Drew Nagle to Luke Hosband 56 pass (Penland kick), 8:16.
BEA – Sam Clark 2 run (Penland kick), :25.
3rd Quarter
PC – Latterner to Corbin Vinglish 72 pass (Golden kick), 9:40.
PC – Latterner 76 run (2-PT no good), 7:41.
PC – Latterner to Cameron Coudriet 84 pass (PAT no good), 3:57.
4th Quarter
BEA – Luke Hosband 3 run (Penland kick), 5:47.
TEAM STATISTICS PC BEA
First Downs 8 11
Rushes-yards 34-174 28-157
Passing yards 277 179
Comp-Att-Int 10-17-0
Total yards 451 336
Punts-avg. 4-30 3-49
Fumbles-lost 2-2 4-2
Penalties-yards 4-35 3-20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Penn Cambria, Evan Latterner 15-95, TD; Corbin Vinglish 13-51; Ian Beck 5-22, TD; Nate Mack 1-6. Bald Eagle, Chase Cane 10-105, TD; Sam Clark 13-27, TD; Luke Hosband 3-15, TD; Drew Nagle 2-2; Avery Frank 1-1.
PASSING: Penn Cambria, Latterner 10-17-0 277 yards, 3 TDs. Bald Eagle, Cane 10-16-1 123 yards, TD; Drew Nagle 1-1-0 56 yards, TD.
RECEIVING: Penn Cambria, Cameron Coudriet 3-95, TD; Vinglish 2-85, TD; Noah Jones 1-43; Ian Beck 1-30; Nate Mack 1-20, TD; Jamie Maybush 1-2; Latterner 1-0. Bald Eagle, Luke Hosband 4-93, TD; Jack Kleisath 3-33, TD; Justin Johnson 1-26; Drew Nagle 2-18; James Cowan 1-9.
INTERCEPTIONS: Penn Cambria, Noah Jones. Bald Eagle, none.
RECORDS: Penn Cambria 1-0. Bald Eagle 1-0.