Sam Strause

Just when his team needed him the most, Steel-High junior quarterback Malachi Young came through in the clutch. After missing the majority of his team’s games earlier this fall, Young has returned just in the nick of time to lead the Rollers pursuit of a state title. Young hit junior classmate Lathaniel Spencer with a 50 yard scoring strike with only 1:22 remaining in regulation to lead the Rollers to a 24-20 come from behind win over Williams Valley (12-2) in the second round of PIAA Class A state playoffs.

Although the 17-14 advantage Steel-High held at the half may not indicate so, the Rollers arguably dominated the first half of play. Much to their dismay, the Rollers held themselves back from opening up a larger margin by amassing over 60 yards of penalties, including 30 yards worth on back to back plays of a Williams Valley scoring drive, and, also, turned the ball over once in their own territory. Fortunately for the Rollers, no major damage was done. They were also able to keep Viking’s star running back Dylan Rabuck under control, limiting him to less than 40 yards on the ground before the half. Rabuck had rushed for over 2,000 yards in his team’s previous 13 games.

“I thought that throughout our year in our division we played some pretty good backs. We played some great running backs, and he’s a great running back, so we had preparation going into it. He’s a great hard-nosed, physical running back and I think he compares with those guys down in the Mid-Penn also,” said Rollers head coach Andrew Erby.

After two unsuccessful possessions to open the second half, Williams Valley needed a spark to get their offense going, and, with 2:20 left in the third quarter they found just that. Devon Rabuck, whose nonstop motor has powered the Viking’s defense all season, picked off Young’s short throw near the line of scrimmage. The Rollers brought Rabuck down at their own 19 yard line. The Vikings were in prime position to take the lead…

On first down Williams Valley quarterback Levi Engle took the snap and ran 10 yards around the right side to set his team up with first and goal. Dylan Rabuck found pay dirt the very next play, rumbling into the end zone from nine yards out to give the Vikings a 20-17 lead after the conversion failed.

After both sides traded punts for a few possessions, the Vikings had an opportunity to ice the game mid-way through the fourth quarter. Beginning the drive at its own 32 yard line, Williams Valley embarked on a 10 play sequence that would eat four and a half minutes off the clock. . The Vikings drive steadily pounded its way up the field led by Dylan Rabuck, who had come to life in the second half.

Rabuck would finish with 133 yards rushing on the evening.

However, the promising series began to falter after three quick penalties were assessed to the Vikings, including two on back to back plays. Williams Valley, faced with a fourth and five beyond field goal range, elected to punt. Jake Wolfgang’s high soaring punt landed out of bound giving Steel-High possession on its own 23 and breathing life back into its state title hopes

Three plays and just 22 seconds was all Steel-High needed. All three plays of the 77 yard drive went from Young to Spencer and the Rollers were back on top again. This time it was for good.

“We knew we could take what they were giving us and try to get the ball out of bounds. We wanted to isolate one of our better receivers and isolate him on that side to try to move it down. He turned a five yard hitch into a big play and actually a huge play,” said Rollers head coach Andrew Erby of his team’s game winning drive.

Williams Valley did have quite an exciting last effort though. Allen Hand took the ensuing kickoff from his own two yard line all the way across the mid-field stripe, two yards into Roller’s territory for a fifty yard return. After a short run and an incomplete pass, Engle completed a twelve yard pass to get his Vikings down to the 32 yard line of Steel-High. Two plays later the Vikings were flagged for a hold well behind the line of scrimmage, pushing them back to mid-field and effectively ending any realistic chances they had to reach the end zone.

Rollers quarterback Malachi Young was 15 of 23 passing for nearly 200 yards in the win. He also contributed the aforementioned go-ahead touchdown pass and threw a third quarter interception. Erby praised the play of his signal caller who is still rounding into form after missing most of the regular season.

“He played four, four and a half games this year. He gives us so much confidence. He’s just a competitor where when he’s in the game he’s always going to think he’s going to win the game. That’s just the type of kid he is,” Erby said. “He’s a hard-nosed kid.”

Tim Savage and Williams Valley conclude its season at 12-2. Steelton-Highspire will match-up Bishop Guilfoyle, 52-6 winners over Homer-Center, next weekend.

Williamsport’s high octane offense kept rolling Friday night, as the Millionaires scored 21 second quarter points and then hung on late to win its PIAA Class AAAAAA first round match-up against State College 35-28.

After an uneventful first quarter of play that yielded only a Treyson Potts one yard touchdown run, Williamsport began to crack the Lion’s defense—thanks to Elliott Walker. Mid-way through the second period Millionaire’s elusive quarterback Isaiah Hankins hit a streaking Walker for a 31 yard scoring strike. Then, less than three minutes later it was Hankins to Walker again, this time from 18 yards out to put Williamsport up by three scores.

State College then responded with a quick, two play scoring drive. Wide Receiver Noah Woods hauled in a 65 yard heave from quarterback Tyler Snyder, and was finally dragged down at the Williamsport five yard line. On the very next play Snyder hit Brandon Clark for the score to get State on the board.

State College was then able to recover a surprise onside kick on the Williamsport 43 yard line. Unfortunately for the Lions, the special teams’ momentum was all for not, as its seven play drive stalled and finally ended with a missed 42 yard field goal attempt.

Hankins and Williamsport’s offense then took to the field with just 2:04 remaining in the half. However, only 11 seconds would be needed for the duo of Hankins and Walker to strike again. Walker reached the end zone once again, his third score of the evening, by virtue of an 80 yard bomb tossed by his senior classmate Hankins. The score grew Williamsport’s margin to three scores for a second time.

Walker would contribute 136 yards and three touchdowns on just four catches. He would also chip in 23 rushing yards.

The Lions, whose offense had been for the most part unproductive during the first half, then embarked on an eight play scoring drive capped off when Pete Haffner surged across the goal line with two seconds left in half. As both teams went to the locker room, the Millionaires held a 14 point edge.

The second half opened with a bit of trickery, as State College was once again able to recover a surprise onside kick and steal another possession from their opponents. However, this time it turned out to be a fruitful one as the Lions took a page out of Williamsport’s book, putting together a quick, three play drive culminating with Noah Woods snagging a Snyder pass from 19 yards out for the score. The tally came just 53 seconds into the third quarter and shaved the Lion’s deficit to just seven.

After both sides traded punts for most the third quarter, Williamport was finally able to put a substantial drive together as the game rolled toward the final period of play. After a holding call negated a bruising Martezes Clark Jr. run which would have given the Millionaires the ball inside the State College five yard line, quarterback Isaiah Hankins took the next snap and sliced and diced his way, 23 yards, to pay dirt on the final play of the third quarter.

Hankins had a hand in four of his team’s five scores, throwing for three and rushing for the other. The dynamic senior signal caller had quite a day, throwing for 216 yards and also gaining 82 on the ground.

Sophomore Treyson Potts also added 45 yards on the ground for the Millionaires.

State College would pull within a touchdown once again after Woods reached the end zone for a second time with 8:03 left in regulation, scoring on a 26 yard pass from Snyder. The Lion’s drive was prolonged by 26 yard gain on a fake punt near mid field. The score brought the Lions to within seven, but they would never threaten again, as their final two drives faltered after barely penetrating Williamsport territory.

Lions quarterback Tyler Snyder threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Senior receiver Noah Woods was the recipient of five of Snyder’s completions, totaling 156 yards and two scores. Brandon Clark also added 47 yards on six catches.

Chuck Crews and his Millionaires improve to 12-1 on the season. They advance to play Central Catholic, a 42-7 winner over Seneca Valley.

State College closes out its 2016 campaign with a solid 10-2 mark.

Williams Valley (11-1) scored 20 unanswered fourth quarter points as the Vikings rallied to win the District XI Class A championship game 34-31 over Marian Catholic on Friday night.

As the final quarter of play began in Pine Grove, the site of tonight’s title clash, Marian Catholic found itself on the good side of a 21-14 score. The Colts had been able to take advantage of two Williams Valley punt game miscues to build a lead.

Marian Catholic was then able to tack on an additional ten points early in the fourth via a twenty-five yard field goal and a 66 yard run by quarterback Ethan Kuczynski to grow their lead to 17. The Vikings led by junior running back Dylan Rabuck then began a furious comeback, scoring 20 points in the final four and a half minutes of the game to seize a district title.

With just 4:44 left in the final quarter and the ball deep in its own territory some unfortunate luck struck the Colts, as quarterback Kuczynski mishandled the snap from center and the ball was recovered by Williams Valley. Two plays later Vikings quarterback Levi Engle hit junior receiver Allen Hand with a 27 yard pass, setting up a first and goal from the Marian one yard line. Rabuck would punch it in to cut his team’s deficit to 11.

Williams Valley’s prowling defense then took advantage of yet another golden opportunity, creating what must have seemed like déjà vu for the Marian side…

Just three plays into the next Colts drive, Rabuck scooped up yet another fumbled snap and rumbled 51 yards to the end zone to put Williams Valley to within three after a successful two-point conversion. The two scores came less than one minute apart.

After a quick Marian three and out which consumed barely more than one minute off the clock, Williams Valley had an opportunity to snatch the lead.

The Vikings could not have asked for a better opportunity as they began their final possession, taking over at the Marian 31 yard line with 2:10 on the clock, trailing by a mere field goal. The Colts had been forced to punt from their own end zone after being hit with a 15 yard personal foul penalty on the previous series. However, after two Dylan Rabuck rushes for only a modest two yard gain and a sack of Engle, Williams Valley was faced with a fourth and 11 from the Marian 32. For Williams Valley, the game and the season all came down to one crucial.

Engle took the snap, rolled to his left, and was once again able to hit Hand for a big play, this time a 23 yard strike to give the Vikings a first down and keep their district title hopes alive. Hand was tackled just nine yards from pay dirt. Following two Rabuck rushing attempts it was Engle who was able to sneak the nose of the ball over the goal line with just 41 seconds remaining to give his team the lead for good.

A last gasp drive by the Colt’s would falter near midfield as time expired.

Rabuck provided much of the Vikings offensive output on the evening, rushing for 217 yards and three touchdowns. He also added the aforementioned fumble return for a touchdown, accounting for all but one of his teams five trips to the end zone.

“This team here (Marian Catholic) has the best defense in the region statistically. Me and Dylan are very close and we talked about a statement to go over 200. One guy got 138. I think that was the most this season. Dylan is lights out. He has a drive to get better and I really believe the ceiling is as high as it goes for Dylan Rabuck,” said Williams Valley head coach Tim Savage.

Rabuck reached two personal milestones in tonight’s win, as he surpassed the 2,000 yard rushing mark and also tallied his 21^st rushing touchdown of 2016.

Allen Hand added 51 receiving yards on two catches for Williams Valley.

Marian Catholic ends its season at 6-6.

The Vikings will return to the state playoffs for the second time under Savage, with its previous trip coming in 2012.

“It’s very important to me that no one comes through four years here without a district gold metal. If we had dropped this game tonight then this senior class would have left here without one. We would have had a couple silvers and that was unacceptable. The kids answered the call and rallied back and it’s just an amazing win,” he said.

As Brock Burleigh’s fourth down heave in overtime fell harmlessly to the ground Line Mountain’s entire sideline exploded with passionate enthusiasm. The Eagles had completed their comeback, rallying from 15 points down early in the fourth quarter to force overtime and eventually stun No. 4 seeded North Penn-Mansfield on the road Friday night.

Line Mountain entered the fourth quarter of Friday’s District IV AA playoff game trailing by a 28-13 margin – that would swiftly change in the Eagles favor. On its opening drive of the final quarter Line Mountain quarterback Kenny Boyer led his team on a five play scoring drive ending with Brenden Cregger hauling in a 21 yard pass to put six on the board. Boyer would convert for two points to trim the deficit to seven.

After forcing a North Penn punt, Line Mountain began what looked to be a promising offensive possession, moving the chains on back to back plays, only to be ruined by an interception on a deep and underthrown Boyer pass.

The Panthers were unable to translate what could have been a back breaking turnover into points.

With less than six minutes and a seven point lead it seemed likely the North Penn would play keep away and run clock. But, after gaining only three yards on its first two downs, the home team took to the air and Kenny Boyer capitalized on an opportunity. Boyer stepped in front of quarterback Brock Burleigh’s intended receiver on a third and seven screen pass and returned the ball to the North Penn 16 giving the Eagles prime field position and restoring their hopes of tying the game.

Just two plays later Boyer crossed the goal line from ten yards out and Kai Smith added the extra point to tie the game with just 3:37 remaining.

The Eagles took their turn on offense first to open the overtime period. Unlike in regulation, Boyer and Line Mountain didn’t waste any time before scoring, as Boyer took off straight up the middle on a quarterback keeper and scooted ten yards into the end zone on the Eagle’s first play from scrimmage in the extra period. Unfortunately for the visitors, the rushing attempt on the conversion was stuffed short of the goal line letting the door open for a possible North Penn victory.

The Panthers then had their opportunity to match or even win the game. Line Mountain and North Penn-Mansfield then traded short penalties, resulting in the ball returning to its original starting position at the ten yard line. After an incomplete pass sandwiched between two unproductive rushing attempts, North Penn was faced with a fourth and goal from ten yards out. Panther’s senior quarterback Brock Burleigh took the shotgun snap and rolled to his right, and under duress from the Line Mountain defense, lobbed the ball towards the corner of the end zone. Burleigh’s last gasp effort fell to the ground, out of bounds and incomplete, cueing a roar from the Eagle’s sideline.

“I just kept telling the kids to keep fighting. I knew if we kept fighting and kept fighting that we would be able to do what we did. We needed to get a couple stops and we needed to make some plays on offense and to the kids’ credit they did hang in there and kept fighting and I think that’s what we get out of this is that they kept believing in themselves,” said Line Mountain head coach Brandon Carson after his team’s dramatic win.

North Penn-Mansfield seemed to have the ball game under control through the first three quarters of play. The Panthers had for the most part dominated the time of possession, especially in the first half, due to the play of junior running back Brenden Hill.

Hill led North Penn’s rushing attack, totaling over 100 yards on the ground before the half and 199 for the game. 70 of Hill’s yards came on one single play as he rumbled into the end zone as the first quarter came to a close to giving his team a 14-6 lead.

Hill’s score came just 45 seconds after Kenny Boyer put Line Mountain on the board for the first time with a 30 yard touchdown scamper.

Boyer had a hand in all five of his team’s touchdowns on Friday evening, scoring four times on the ground and tossing the aforementioned 21 yard pass to Cregger. Boyer accrued 196 rushing yards and also threw for 113 in the win.

Line Mountain was able to survive four uncharacteristic turnovers, including two in the third quarter and one in the latter half of the last period. The Panthers were only able to capitalize on one of the four, as Brenden Hill took a handoff 36 yards for a score, his third touchdown of the day, with 10:11 remaining in the third quarter.

Carson’s bunch will have a stiff test next week as they advance to play an undefeated Southern Columbia team – winners in blowout fashion over Towanda – at Jim Roth Field next Friday night.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team. The kids, coaches, boosters, everybody, we all do it together. It’s just a nice win for the program,” said Carson.

North Penn-Mansfield ends their season at 8-3.

South Williamsport (9-1) jumped out to an early 14 point lead over Line Mountain (6-4) and then held off a late comeback attempt to win its regular season finale 41-33.

The Mountaineers received the opening kick and bolted from the gate scoring just four plays into the opening quarter on an 18 yard run by sophomore quarterback A.J. Flick. After the eagles went three and out on their first possession, South Williamsport was able to strike again. This time, in more methodical fashion, as seldom used running back Jacob Yoas punched it in for the Mounties from one yard out capping off a 10 play drive that consumed a large portion of the first quarter.

Line Mountain’s offense then began to show signs of life. The Eagles embarked on a 14 play scoring drive which covered 60 yards. The Eagles possession began late in the first quarter and ended with 8:37 left in the second when quarterback Kenny Boyer plunged into the end zone from three yards out.

Just as the visitors had seemingly seized the momentum, the Mounties were eager to take it right back. South Williamsport, fueled by a 47 yard rumble by Ashton Martin, would quickly answer the Eagles. Martin’s run was the second play of a six play drive ending with A.J. Flick once again using his legs to put six on the board. Flick’s score would be the last of the half for either side. South Williamsport led by 14 as both teams headed to the locker room.

Line Mountain emerged from the halftime break firing on all cylinders, scoring on their first two possessions of the second half, and, also picking off Flick deep in Eagles territory.

Brent Osman, running straight into the teeth of the Mounties defense, broke loose for a 65 yard touchdown on just the second play of the second half to pull the eagles to within eight.

Osman would score the first of his team’s 27 second half points, including 19 in the third quarter.

Brenden Cregger then made the Eagles first big defensive play of the game, intercepting a deep Flick pass at the Line Mountain 24 yard line just three plays later. Boyer, Cregger, and company capitalized on the turnover less than a minute later as Cregger streaked down the field to haul in a 72 yard touchdown pass from Boyer. Cregger’s explosive play would pull his team to within two points.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, a key play on special teams would quickly shift the momentum back to the home team. The Mounties blocked an Eagles punt and took over at the Line Mountain 15 yard line. Gideon Green rushed 16 yards into the end zone on the next play.

“We’ve struggled somewhat in the punt phase of the football game all year,” commented Line Mountain coach Brandon Carson.

Green totaled 156 rushing yards on 27 carries for South Williamsport.

To its credit, Line Mountain continued to battle, once again cutting the deficit to two by virtue of a 54 yard scoring strike from Boyer to sophomore receiver Breven Derk.

“We have not quit all year. I love this team and the way we fight,” said Carson.

South Williamsport then took control of the see-sawing contest for good as they scored on their next two possessions to set the margin at 41-25 late in the fourth quarter. Flick hit Martin with a ten yard pass and Green once again plowed over the goal line for his second score of the day, coming with 2:11 left to play.

Ashton Martin also summed 72 rushing yards for South Williamsport.

Boyer was able guide his team past the Mountaineers defense once again, finally reaching the end zone via a 28 yard pass to Brenden Cregger with just 36 seconds in regulation. Boyer was then able to pick up the two point conversion to make it a one score game. South Williamsport then recovered the following on-side kick and subsequently run out the remaining time on the clock.

Eagles coach Brandon Carson praised the quality of his opponent tonight saying “They have some really good players, and you have to give them that. They played extremely hard and they were physical and that’s exactly what we thought they were going to be. We just had some mental breakdowns again and obviously you cannot have mental breakdowns and a lack of focus when you’re playing this type of team.”

Line Mountain quarterback Kenny Boyer arguably had his best passing performance of the season tonight, throwing for nearly 250 yards and three touchdowns. Boyer also contributed 67 yards on the ground.

Brent Osman’s 78 rushing yards led the Eagles.

Despite tonight’s result, both Line Mountain and South Williamsport will turn their focus to the District IV playoffs next Friday night as both teams will look to build what have been very positive seasons for the two programs.

“I think it was a good learning experience,” Carson said of tonight’s game. “We told them now it’s time. Basically we’re going to be 0-0. Everybody is 0-0. Moving forward it’s a new season and we need to come out prepared next time.”

On a chilly senior night at Line Mountain, Kenny Boyer and a steady defense propelled the Eagles to a 28-17 TVL victory. Boyer scored three times and the Line Mountain defense created two second half turnovers as the hosts came away victorious in a see-saw game on Friday night.

After an uneventful first quarter of play which saw a short Juniata (6-3) field goal as the only scoring, Kenny Boyer took the reins of the Eagles offense. The senior quarterback plunged into the end zone from two yards out capping off an 11 play drive. Following a three and out on the Indians next possession, Boyer once again lead a Line Mountain (6-3) scoring drive, this time lasting only five plays, the last of which was an explosive 41 yard run for Boyer’s second score of the night.

Not to be outdone by their hosts, quarterback Tyler Clark and Juniata ran a quick six play drive on their last series of the first half ending with a 33 yard touchdown strike from Clark to running back Fletcher Hart to pull Juniata to within four.

The Indians offense picked up right where it left off on their opening drive of the second half. After a short Line Mountain punt, Juniata took over at its own 45 yard line. Clark proceeded to march his team 55 yards, hitting Zach Piper with a ten yard scoring strike and giving his team the lead.

Unfortunately for Juniata, Piper would be the last Indian to cross the goal line.

On the Eagles very next drive Boyer and the Line Mountain offense covered 80 yards, finishing with the Eagles quarterback once again calling his own number on a one yard dive into the end zone. The big play on the drive for Line Mountain was a 29 yard reception by sophomore receiver Breven Derk.

Boyer would total 179 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the night. He also threw for 75 yards and one score.

“I didn’t feel like there was any pressure on us because nobody expected us to win so that probably helped us a lot,” reflected Boyer.

It was at that point in the game Line Mountain’s opportunistic defense came to life.

Juniata began their next possession at their own 35 yard line. They were greeted by an Eagles defense eager close out a win. Indians running back Spencer Page was stuffed for no gain on first down. D.J. Quinn then sacked Tyler Clark for a seven yard loss on second down. Clark then made his first major mistake of the night, forcing a third and long pass into tight coverage and into the hands of defensive back Cole Hauck.

Juniata would eventually block Brent Osman’s field goal attempt to end the scoring threat.

Then, on what would prove to be Juniata’s last realistic chance to win the game, Hauck was once again able to pick off Clark and return the interception 48 yards deep into Juniata territory.

Minutes later it was Hauck again making a huge play, this time on offense, snagging a Kenny Boyer pass in the end zone. The late score, with 1:37 remaining to in the game, effectively salted the contest away for the home team.

Not only did Hauck and the Eagles defense create two second half turnovers, they limited a Juniata rushing attack averaging nearly 200 yards per game to just 37.

“This is huge for the team. Now we’re six and three. We’ve got a big game next week too. It’ll give us a good seed if we get our next win and we’ll end up going to districts at seven and three,” commented Hauck on what Friday’s win meant for his team.

For Line Mountain coach Brandon Carson, this has been the most meaningful win of the season. Carson praised the resiliency of his team after last week’s loss at Newport.

“I was a little worried about how we would respond after losing last week, so for us to respond and play the game we did is just a testament to these kids and how much they care and how far they’ve come personally. Just to keep fighting and believe in themselves is unbelievable,” said Carson.

Tyler Clark was Juniata’s most important offensive contributor completing 15 of 34 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Fletcher Hart and Spencer Page chipped in 27 yards each on the ground for the Indians.

Brent Osman added 68 rushing yards and Breven Derk hauled in 46 receiving yards for Line Mountain.

Line Mountain will travel to South Williamsport next Friday for its regular season finale. Juniata returns home to face Upper Dauphin.

Friday night’s Line Mountain-Newport game marked an important point in the season for both sides. Line Mountain entered the game looking to improve its position in a tight District IV playoff race while Newport continued its pursuit of a Tri-Valley League title and possibly an undefeated season, something the Perry County school hasn’t accomplished since the early 1950’s.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, it was Eli Goodling and Newport coming away with a 37-0 victory.

Goodling was a key contributor in the Buffaloes balanced offensive attack, amassing 186 rushing yards on the ground and another 95 receiving. Goodling reached the end zone four times on the night, three of which occurred in the second half to power Newport (8-0) to the win.

Although Newport did score on three of its four first half possessions, the Eagle defense was able to hold the Buffaloes mostly in check during the first half of play.

Newport settled for a 35 yard Justin Barlup field goal on its first possession and then followed with a two yard Eli Goodling run on its next drive to stretch the score to 10-0 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Newport drive, which started at mid field, was extended by a 20 yard run on a fake punt. Newport would convert multiple fourth downs on the night, all via the fake punt.

An 11 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Heimbaugh to Drew Paden would send Newport to the locker room with a 17-0 lead.

Newport went on to score three unanswered touchdowns in the second half, including two by Eli Goodling in the fourth quarter, to finish off the shutout win.

Despite the Newport back’s late surge Line Mountain coach Brandon Carson praised the job his defense did bottling up Goodling during the first three quarters of the ball game.

“I think anybody has to game plan for him, we did a good job of getting to him and keeping him penned up,” said Carson. “A lot of his yards were on fake punts. He’s a tank, he runs hard. We did a really good job on him up until that point.”

Line Mountain (5-3), which managed only 144 yards of total offense, was once again led by senior quarterback Kenny Boyer. Boyer rushed for 99 yards and also adding 15 passing yards for the visitors. The Eagles quarterback surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season in the loss.

Boyer and the Eagles did have some scoring opportunities but were ultimately unable to make the most of them. Quite possibly the biggest was a nearly six minute drive to end the first half ending inside the Newport five yard line.

“I think that took a little bit of wind out of our sails. Obviously it hurts not to be able to cash in there. We were hoping to at least be able to try a field goal, but it just didn’t work out,” Carson said of the half ending drive. “I thought we matched their intensity for the most part. I’m proud of our kids, I love our kids and I think we’ll respond moving forward.”

Two Line Mountain turnovers also added to the Eagles offensive struggles.

For Buffaloes head coach Todd Rothermel and Newport the win represents another step taken toward playing for a district title.

Rothermel’s team rolled up 368 yards of total offense and accumulated 16 first downs on the day.

“The important thing for us this week is we’re still undefeated. There’s only been one team, one coach, and one staff that have ever gone undefeated here. It’s something that we’d really like to do,” said Rothermel.

Noah Heimbaugh also played a major role in the Newport win. The Buffaloes quarterback completed 17 of 25 passing attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown. Six different receivers caught a pass from Heimbaugh.

Looking ahead, Newport will face non-league opponent DuBois at home next Friday evening.

Line Mountain will host Juniata (6-2).