Hankins, Walker lead Millionaires over State College

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.