ALTOONA _ Mansion Park in Altoona is synonymous with big-time PIAA football. Saturday afternoon this classic site was again hosting the West bracket PIAA 6A semifinal between Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Harrisburg. In their only previous meeting in 2007, Harrisburg came out on top. On Saturday, taking advantage of numerous short fields and Harrisburg miscues, The Vikings advanced to the PIAA 6A final by beating Harrisburg 38-33. PCC will play St Joe Prep in the 6A Championship.
Special teams played a huge part in this game. Harrisburg’s inability to punt effectively set up the Pittsburgh Central Catholic offense with short fields all game. A lost fumble by Harrisburg on a kickoff return led to another PCC TD. The Vikings K/P Billy Lech made Harrisburg’s stellar return game a non-factor. Lech also booted a 36-yard field goal.
Each team started slowly. After starting a drive in the Harrisburg end of the field Elijah Faulkner got PCC on the board
Touchdown @PCC_FOOTBALL ! Elijah Faulkner breaks out for a 32 yard touchdown! 2 pointer is no good 6-0 over @HBGCougar_FBall 5:10 quarter 1 @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica @WPIAL_Blitz @BadgleyBruce @CaryMoyer @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/BEhQW3cNyj
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
PCC inserted Jy’ire Walls for some offensive spark. Walls immediately got the offense rolling and his nice scramble made it 13-0 early on in quarter two.
On the scramble it’s @PCC_FOOTBALL Jy’Aire Walls from the12. 13-0 now over @HBGCougar_FBall 10:28 quarter 2 @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica @BadgleyBruce @WPIAL_Blitz @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/UOwqsvnKZ3
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
The remainder of the second quarter turned into a track meet. First Harrisburg got on the board with a nice drive culminating with a Messiah Mickens TD run. Just that quick, PCC answers with a Wall to Max Roman pitch and catch score. Mickens then ran his 2nd of the quarter to make it 21-14 at the halfway point of quarter two.
Up and down the field we go in quarter two! Look at this Messiah Mickens 15 yard Touchdown run for @HBGCougar_FBall ! @PCC_FOOTBALL still up 21-14 4:57 until halftime of the @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/DnBKSukuh2
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
A wild and wacky final 90 seconds got us to halftime 28-21 in favor of Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
HUGE turn of events as we go to half. @PCC_FOOTBALL takes advantage of good field position with a TD toss from Mills to Thomas. 28-14 Vikings Then @HBGCougar_FBall marches right down as QB Jayion Lewis gets around the end for a score. 28-21 at halftime of the @PIAASports 6A… pic.twitter.com/CcYLLysAPr
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
Harrisburg again gave PCC a short field to start the 2nd half. And again, the Vikings took full advantage with QB Walls 35-21 at the 7-minute mark of quarter three.
@PCC_FOOTBALL TD! Taking advantage again of a short field, QB Walls gets in from the 1 35-21 over @HBGCougar_FBall 7:01 quarter 3 @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica @WPIAL_Blitz @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/ReUlQVety9
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
Billy Lech added a 36-yard field goal to make it 38-21 PCC at the 4:20 mark of quarter three.
@PCC_FOOTBALL recovers a @HBGCougar_FBall fumble and takes advantage Billy Lech a 36 yard Field goal makes it 38-21 over @HBGCougar_FBall 4:20 quarter 3 @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica @WPIAL_Blitz @BadgleyBruce @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/cQ1sbHgkgq
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
Harrisburg began to air it out to get back in the game. A 62-yarder to Quincey Brannon in quarter three, then a sparkling TD reception got the Cougars within 5 with 6:30 remaining
There is no quit in @HBGCougar_FBall 62 yards from Jayion Lewis to Quincy Brannon 2:42 quarter 3 @PCC_FOOTBALL still up 38-27 @PIAASports 6A semifinal @HSFBamerica @WPIAL_Blitz @BadgleyBruce @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/ZwFbtta3mG
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
Oh my! Elias Coke lays out for this 30 yard TD for @HBGCougar_FBall ! @PCC_FOOTBALL hanging on to a 38-33 lead @PIAASports 6A semifinal 6:30 remaining @HSFBamerica @WPIAL_Blitz @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce @SportscenterTop pic.twitter.com/SDLqR3QCaV
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 30, 2024
A desperate final drive by Harrisburg was thwarted by a PCC interception in the end zone.
The Vikings move on to face St Joe Prep in the 6A Cham[pionship next Saturday at 7PM.
