Mirror photo by Michael Voitim Hollidaysburg’s Maddox Baney (right) hugs Brayden Berkheimer after blocking the game-clinching extra point try.
MILTON — Hollidaysburg has focused on every aspect of its team during its history-making season, but one unit coach Homer Delattre praised repeatedly throughout the season was special teams.
In Friday night’s first-round game against PIAA District 2 champion Abington Heights at Alumni Stadium, the offense stalled in the fourth quarter and the defense just allowed a second goal in the final period.
Once again, the special teams lived up to their name.
Senior Brayden Berkheimer blocked Jack Farrell’s extra point that could have tied the game with 3:42 left, and Hollidaysburg ran out the clock on its final possession to survive with a 24-23 victory.
“I could see the kicker kicking low on the first couple of kicks,” Berkheimer said. “I thought, let’s line this up and put our hands together to stop it. It felt like an elementary school fairy tale.”
That win, along with a forfeit forfeited against Fort Hill this week after it was revealed that Maryland State used an ineligible player in a game against the Golden Tigers earlier this year, meant that the Holidays Berg improved to 13-0. For the first time in school history.
“This group has been through a lot over the last few years,” Delatorre said. “This week, we felt like we had a chance to win against Fort Hill and reach 13 wins for the first time in school history. Our players were really focused. We had a great football team, but we really wanted to give back to the community. I’m happy and proud of the coaches for the good results on the field.”
How the game played: A blocked extra point made the difference in the game, but the winner wasn’t decided until Hollidaysburg made it 4-2 from the Abington Heights 30 with just over a minute left. Delatorre called a quarterback draw for Maddox Vaney, and Mitchell Baroner led off with an 8-yard game-sealing run.
“It felt amazing. A lot of these games, we always seem to just pull it out at the end,” Baney said. “I really liked that (Coach Delatorre) showed me that he believed in me. It made me more confident on the field.”
De La Torre felt confident enough to run the play rather than try to pin Abington Heights deep with a punt.
“I thought we made some plays there that we could run with,” Delatorre said. “Maddox is pretty good at running those things. Mitchell Baroner is a great running back, but he has to be one of the best blocking running backs in the state. They laid them out and on fourth down they made a huge block on that linebacker. Great effort from Maddox and Mitchell.”
Most Valuable Player: In addition to his game-winning run, Baney carried 12 more times for a game-high 93 yards and a touchdown. He also went 10-of-16 for 175 yards through the air and threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Brady Steiner.
The unsung hero: Baroner’s block got most of Bayney’s yards, gaining 89 yards and scoring a touchdown on 20 carries.
Moss wins. With 4:04 left in the third quarter, Steiner made a 23-yard catch past two Abington Heights defenders, completing a touchdown run by Baney.
Most important statistic: The Golden Tigers won their 13th game for the first time in program history.
“It feels amazing. This is something we’ve never done before and it’s really amazing,” Berkheimer said. “I think everyone here is proud, and I think everyone at home is proud too.”
Loads of laundry: Hollidaysburg was flagged eight times en route to gaining 90 yards, including setting up Shane Brower’s 5-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter following a personal foul. It also included a ruling for unsportsmanlike conduct on the Golden Tigers’ sideline.
Delatorre: “It was close on the first two extra points and the field goal. We talked about how close we were and made the big play at the end when we needed it.”
“Sometimes the kids are calmer than the coaches,” Delatorre said. “We teach them a lot about character and life and they are living proof of that. They’re really good football players and they’re also really good people and that’s what makes the difference. is.”
Abington Heights coach Joe Lepsis said this about Sean Theodore Jr., who replaced injured starting quarterback Nick Bradley and threw for 207 yards and one touchdown and ran for two. told. He is a player and leader in our program. He is a selfless player who does whatever is asked of him for the team. He comes in as an experienced guy at the quarterback position and did a great job leading us tonight. ”
Bayney: “We made some mistakes, but we stuck together as a team. We stuck together as a team and were able to get through it.”
After Theodore scored on a 1-yard sneak with 3:42 left to bring the Comets within one point, Lepsis on whether he considered going for a two-point lead: “I always think about the situation, but… , at that point there were still three points ‘timeout. We had momentum and I thought we could go out there and get a stop and win the game. ”
What to note: Bradley, who was injured last week, has thrown for 2,076 yards, 26 touchdowns and just two interceptions this year. Theodore was one of his biggest targets. …Hollidaysburg had several players who were less than 100% due to health issues. … Hollidaysburg senior Paul Wedell made all three extra points and a 35-yard field goal. …The Golden Tigers did not punt.
Record: Abington Heights (8-5) at Hollidaysburg (13-0).
Next week: Hollidaysburg will play District 12 champion Roman Catholic, which defeated District 11 champion East Stroudsburg South 41-13, in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals next weekend.
Score per quarter
Abington Heights 0 10 0 13 — 23
Hollidaysburg 7 10 7 0 — 24
1st quarter
H-Baroner 6 runs (Wedel kick), 2:24.
2nd quarter
H-Steiner, 60 pass from Bayney (Wedel kick), 10:49.
AH-Farrell 29 FG, 5:17.
H-Wedel 35 FG, 3:22.
AH – Theodore 14 runs (Farrell kick), :08.
3rd quarter
H-Baney 7 runs (Wedel kick), 2 minutes 47 seconds.
4th quarter
AH – Theodore to Brower 5 pass (Farrell kick), 11:51.
AH – Theodore 1 run (kick block), 3:42.
Team statistics Oh, H
First down 19 18
Total yards 305 346
Rush Yards 29-88 41-171
Passing Yards 217 175
Pass (comp.-att.-int.) 20-31-0 10-16-0
Punt average 3-27.7 0-0
Lost fumble 3-1 3-1
Penalty Yards 5-35 8-90
personal statistics
Rushing – Abington Heights, Theodore 7-23, Anglin 8-21, Bernetti 6-20, Kayal 5-13, Anders 1-6, Lost 2-5. Hollidaysburg, Baney 13-93, Baroner 20-89, Muto 3-24, Albarano 1-0, Team 4-(-35).
Passage – Abington Heights, Theodore 19-30-0-207, Kayal 1-1-0-10. Hollidaysburg, Baney 10-16-0-175.
Reception – Abington Heights, Brower 8-85, Sespico 5-42, Anders 4-75, Kuiper 2-15, Anglin 1-0. Hollidaysburg, Steiner 4-118, Albarano 3-17, Delatore 2-22, Bell 1-18.
