Banks
The 2024 highschool football season was a really particular one for the Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers, who set a single-season faculty report for victories (13) and superior all the means to the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals.
Hollidaysburg’s 2025 season has earmarks of being equally particular, however a really difficult midseason stretch will go a good distance in figuring out the Golden Tigers’ final destiny.
Hollidaysburg improved to 6-0 final Friday night time with an exhilarating come-from-behind 35-30 victory over perennial Maryland powerhouse Fort Hill, and can begin a collection of three straight street video games this Friday night time, visiting a 5-1 Jersey Shore crew.
A week earlier than the victory over Fort Hill, Hollidaysburg had overwhelmed beforehand undefeated Mifflinburg, 49-14.
Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre mentioned that the focus and enthusiasm amongst his gamers is at the moment sky-high. A fumble restoration by Josh Banks with Jersey Shore driving at the Tigers’ 2-yard line sealed Hollidaysburg’s thrilling 27-25 victory over Jersey Shore in final yr’s assembly between the two groups at Tiger Stadium.
“The kids have great focus, there’s a lot of excitement in our community for this week’s game coming off last year’s game,” DeLattre mentioned. “This is the third straight state-ranked team we’re facing on our schedule. This has been a pretty tough three weeks, but to get the first two games in this three-game stretch gives us even more confidence going into this week’s game.”
Jersey Shore boasts a proficient and balanced offense that has averaged over 46 factors per recreation, together with 67 in final week’s 67-40 shootout win over Williamsport. Sophomore quarterback Nolen Pauling has accomplished 78 of 123 passes for 1,122 yards and 9 touchdowns, whereas dashing for 355 yards and 7 scores for Jersey Shore.
“Their quarterback is very talented,” added DeLattre, whose Tigers will journey to Selinsgrove and Williamsport in the two weeks following this Friday’s recreation. “He’s also a very good runner who possesses great speed.”
Senior operating again Bo Sechrist has rushed for 821 yards and 12 touchdowns for Jersey Shore, whereas sophomore operating again Kash Herritt has rushed for 528 yards and eight scores. Senior wideout Carson Watkins leads the crew in receptions (29) for 463 yards and 5 TDs, and has additionally intercepted 5 passes from his cornerback place on protection. Another senior wideout, Luke Ryan, has 23 catches for 244 yards.
“All five of their skill guys have great speed, and all five of their skill guys are capable of scoring every time they get the ball,” DeLattre mentioned. “This is going to be a tough challenge for our defense.”
Hollidaysburg additionally has loads of offensive firepower. Senior quarterback Cole DeLattre has rushed for 597 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Golden Tigers, whereas finishing 90 passes for 581 yards and 9 TDs. Junior scatback Carter Muth has rushed for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns for Hollidaysburg.
On the different facet of the ball, junior defensive finish Joey Richardson has registered seven sacks and 37 tackles, whereas defensive again Banks has recorded a team-leading 47 tackles.
“I’ve been very pleased with our play on both the offensive and defensive lines,” Homer DeLattre mentioned.
Another problem for Altoona
After dropping a 38-0 resolution to defending PIAA Class 5A state champion Bishop McDevitt at Mansion Park final Friday night time, Altoona (2-4 general and 2-3 in the Mid-Penn Conference) will hit the street for a recreation with Harrisburg (6-0) Saturday afternoon.
While Harrisburg – which is certainly one of the prime Class 6A groups in the state — presents a monumental problem for the Mountain Lions, Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer, Jr. is having his crew focus inward relatively than outward.
Altoona turned the ball over twice and had two gamers referred to as for private fouls and escorted off the discipline by Nedimyer in the McDevitt recreation. Neither of these gamers returned to the recreation.
“We’re going to continue to worry about ourselves and correct the mistakes we made to prepare for a very good Harrisburg team,” Nedimyer mentioned.
Tyrone hosts improved Huntingdon
Tyrone (3-3 in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and general) has had a tough previous two weeks, getting shut out by Bishop Guilfoyle Academy 26-0 final Saturday night time after dropping 26-7 to archrival Bellwood-Antis the week earlier than.
According to Tyrone coach John Franco, offensive enchancment will probably be the focus for the Golden Eagles this week after they host a really improved Huntingdon crew Friday night time.
“Our defense has been carrying us and has played well enough the past two games for us to win, but our offense simply hasn’t done the job,” Franco mentioned. “We just have to work on continuing to improve our offense and continuing to play very good defense.”
The Eagles may have their work reduce out for them towards Huntingdon (5-1, 5-1), which had gained solely two video games in two seasons earlier to this one.
“Huntingdon is not just improved – they’ve developed into one of the best teams in the Laurel Highlands,” Franco mentioned.
Huntingdon broke away in the second half for a 49-14 home-field victory over Central final week as senior operating again Evan Edmiston rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns, whereas senior again Landon Erdman ran for 100 yards, together with a 62-yard landing run.
“We have a great group of seniors, and we’ve developed a maturity and a belief in our ability as a team,” Huntingdon coach Tim Lucko mentioned. “Tyrone is always a very physical football team. We’ve got to be ready to play against them.”
Heights, Portage meet
Portage and Cambria Heights each left different conferences to be a part of the Heritage Conference just a few years again, establishing an annual rivalry recreation between the two Cambria County faculties.
That rivalry will unfold one other chapter Friday night time, when the Highlanders (5-1 general and in the convention) host the Mustangs (2-4, 2-4).
Portage has a seasoned quarterback in senior Easton Slanoc, who has accounted for 12 touchdowns this season dashing and passing mixed.
“Their quarterback is a three-year starter who is a dynamic playmaker,” veteran Cambria Heights coach Jarrod Lewis mentioned of the Mustangs. “They’re always a well-coached team that plays a physical brand of football. Defensively, they like to get after the ball.”
Heights’ senior quarterback Kaiden Ivory has handed for 554 yards and 4 touchdowns this yr, whereas sophomore again Nolan Clawson leads the Highlanders’ dashing assault with 625 yards and 4 TDs.
Heights gained the District 6 Class 1A football championship two seasons in the past – the first at school historical past – and the District 6 Class 2A title final yr. The Highlanders seem to be on observe for extra playoff glory this November.
“We’re happy,” Lewis mentioned. “It seems like we’re getting a little bit better each week, and that has been our goal.”