Year in review -- Top stories of 2023: Cambridge wins D-10 football title, Tool City volleyball takes home national title

Dec. 27—Editors note: The Meadville Tribune is re-visiting the top eight Crawford County-area sports stories from 2023 today, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Two stories will run per day in no particular order.

The Cambridge Springs football team, for the first time since 1996, were District 10 champions this past season.

The Blue Devils beat Lakeview 32-29 for the Class 1A crown at Meadville Area Senior High School's Bender Field on Nov. 18. They avenged the team's only regular season loss, a 28-22 setback in October.

In the D-10 final, sophomore Brandon Hoover caught two touchdown passes, an interception and completed a 51-yard pass on a trick play. Preston Gorton and Brett Kania each scored rushing touchdowns in the game as well.

"We used everybody. We've been doing it all season, using everybody," head coach Nate Liberty said. "We're not a one-man band and that's what I love about this team. Everyone had to step up and at the right time they did. If that's not Blue Devil pride I don't know what is."

The district title was the third in program history and broke Mercer County's streak of 15 straight titles in Class 1A. Lakeview's Mitchell Tingley ran for 168 yards and four TDs.

Senior tight end and defensive end Tristen Mazzadra credited the support of the community in helping the Blue Devils secure the title.

"It's amazing because we have our community behind us. Without them this wouldn't have happened," Mazzadra said. "One thing we said at the beginning of the season, our coach wants to die with that ring on his finger. We're glad we could do that for him and we're never selfish. We do it for each other and everyone next to us."

Tool City Volleyball Club secures 18U national title

The Tool City Volleyball Club secured a title at the 50th AAU National Volleyball Championship this summer in Orlando, Fla.

Tool City's 18 and under club team won the national title at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center on July 4. The team left the four-day tournament with a 12-1 record.

The team has a history of success. The group lost in the quarterfinals in 2021 and in the finals in 2022.

Tool City 18U beat Spike and Serve Volleyball Club from Hawaii in two sets (25-23, 25-15) to take home the title national championship. Across the four days of competition, Tool City 18U won 25 sets and lost five.

"In each of our first two matches of the day there were stages where the outcome was far from sure and the boys played real gutsy," head coach Ryan Patton said. "So when we got a good lead in the finals and took it home, there was an earned feeling of satisfaction. It wasn't a given, but winning felt right."

The team, made up of 10 players form District 10, didn't have much time to practice between the conclusion of the high school season and club season. The group only had three practices, but made the most of them.

Of the 10 players, several played for Crawford County schools. On the team were Andrew Custead (Cochranton), Chase Miller (Cochranton), Jack Brown (Meadville), Jackson Decker (Meadville), Nolan Rados (Conneaut), Octavian Sperry (Mercyhurst Prep), David Bahm (Mercyhurst Prep), Ike Patton (McDowell), Deke Patton (McDowell) and Jack Wilcox (McDowell). Hunter Graham (Meadville) served as team manager.

Decker, Miller and Sperry were each named to the all-tournament team. Sperry was also named MVP.

It was the second national championship Tool City has won. The club won the 18U bracket in 2009.

Alex Topor can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at atopor@meadvilletribune.com.