It’s not usually the Hollidaysburg athletic director and football coach is confused.
But Friday’s 52-7 win over state-ranked Jersey Shore did simply that.
“I told them after the game the other day that they are leaving me speechless with the way they are performing,” DeLattre stated. “They are coming together so well. They love each other and have been working extremely hard all summer long and all winter long. It’s really awesome to see them build off the leadership and legacy that last year’s senior class left behind. They are just taking it another notch.”
The Golden Tigers will attempt to proceed their undefeated season after they journey to Selinsgrove on Friday at 7 p.m.
DeLattre
“They have some injuries,” DeLattre stated. “When they are healthy, they are a pretty good football team. They are 1-6. The teams they have lost to have a 78 percent winning percentage, so their schedule has been really difficult. We have to make sure coming off three games against three state-ranked football teams that our energy level stays up. That’s a very important aspect.”
Despite seeming to have every part clicking proper now, DeLattre is hoping Hollidaysburg can proceed to enhance earlier than the postseason.
“Our passing game needs to be better,” DeLattre stated. “We have been running the ball extremely well, but in the postseason, we’re going to have to have a better mix. Our defense has continued to play outstanding. To do what we have done the last three weeks, it’s pretty impressive. That’s been the thing that has stood out the most.”
Back to the run?
Altoona has overwhelmed Chambersburg 5 years in a row, largely behind a powerful working recreation.
The Mountain Lions will welcome the Trojans to Mansion Park on Friday at 7 p.m. however have leaned extra on the go this 12 months than lately.
Whether it’s Mekhi Jackson, who began towards Harrisburg, or Parker White, who began the primary six video games at quarterback, Altoona could be going again to the bottom.
“They have a new coach, but looking at their film, they look to be doing some of the same things, especially on the defensive side of the football,” Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer Jr. stated. “You have a plan for each week and for each team. We have had some success in years past with the run game against them. We’re looking to hopefully continue to exploit that. They have kids that can run around. They have good athletes and some size up front. We’ll continue to watch film and see what we can do.”
Despite dropping to Harrisburg, 45-7, final week, Nedimyer noticed some positives from his 2-5 squad.
“We played well against the run again,” Nedimyer stated. “The score was what it was, but I felt defensively, they were not able to line up and do whatever they wanted. Our kids played hard. We had a lot of kids that got helmets to the football, and we have been doing that for the last month, month and a half. Our kids are more confident, and that’s a tribute to them.”
Critical recreation
Bellwood-Antis and Chestnut Ridge come into their recreation in New Paris each needing a win, which ought to improve the urgency from each side on Friday.
“We’re both fighting for our lives to get into the playoffs,” Bellwood-Antis coach Nick Lovrich stated. “I expect them to come out and play their best game, and I expect us to do the same thing.”
B-A is presently the No. 7 seed within the eight-team District 6 Class 2A discipline, and Ridge is fourth in District 5 Class 2A.
“We both have a lot riding on the game,” Chestnut Ridge coach Max Shoemaker stated. “Both of us want to get to .500 and try to end the season on a positive note and hopefully qualify for playoffs.”
The want for a win to really feel higher a few playoff spot isn’t the one factor the groups have in widespread.
“They are predominantly a run team,” Lovrich stated. “I have seen them throw the ball a little bit, but they run the ball very well. Their line does a good job, and their backs run hard. We have to make sure we stop the run.”
Which sounds very similar to Shoemaker’s scouting report of the Blue Devils.
“They are very run-oriented,” Shoemaker stated. “They have a nice offensive and defensive line with great size and mobility and of course (Alex) McCartney who gets the bulk of the carries. They remind me of Bellwood teams of past years. The last time I actually coached against them was when I coached Bedford in the late 90s I believe. We have to contain their ground game. If not, they are going to run the clock and keep the ball away from us.”
Bellwood is coming off a heartbreaking loss to defending PIAA Class 1A champion Bishop Guilfoyle Academy.
“BG is a very good football team, and we were right there with them,” Lovrich stated. “They scored with two minutes left after we had went blow for blow with them. We’re close. We have to fix up some little things that we need to take care of that could make differences in games. We have to control the controllables.”
Ridge misplaced to Penn Cambria after enjoying shut within the first half however demonstrated in that half the protection it is going to take to win on Friday.
“We have played very physical,” Shoemaker stated. “Our defense has been the core of the success that we have had.”