High School Football

Making it happen: Luke Geishauser’s return from injury gives Mountain Lions a boost

The Altoona Mountain Lions emerged victorious in a 19-14 thriller over the Chambersburg Trojans at Mansion Park Stadium Friday night.

After a scoreless first half, the Mountain Lions found themselves behind 7-0 after Isaiah Ferguson hauled in a 62-yard pass from quarterback Justin Deneen.

From then on, it was nearly all Altoona as quarterback Mekhi Jackson rushed for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 7-6.

Myzick Clemons found the end zone for the Mountain Lions after the second half began with an 18-yard run to put Altoona ahead for good.

Chambersburg scored on a 32-yard Deneen pass to Jashaun Palmer with 1:12 left in the game, but it was too little too late for the Trojans.

The Mountain Lions benefited from a stout defense that made life miserable for Deneen throughout the game as they racked up five sacks, including two from linebacker Luke Geishauser, who was returning from an injury.

"He's been a staple for you know three years now, and he's busted his butt to get himself healthy enough to play," Nedimyer said. "He wanted to play two weeks ago, and we tried. Tonight was just the right time, and he showed out with the opportunities that he was given."

Play of the game: Jackson bobbled the snap then proceeded to take the ball 45 yards to the end zone for the first touchdown of the game for the Mountain Lions.

Player of the game: Altoona linebacker/running back Geishauser had two sacks and ran the ball seven times for 55 yards, including a 13-yard run that sealed the game.

Unsung hero: Clemons had 14 rushes for 69 yards and a touchdown in the second half against Chambersburg

Most vital statistic: Altoona's defense racked up five sacks against the Trojans. Geishauser and Noah Staines each had two while Yasir Boyle had one.

Nedimyer: "We played a lot of man coverage, and we put some guys on islands out there. And when you're doing that, you've got to be able to get to the quarterback. And we did a nice job of that tonight."

Chambersburg coach Gary Carter: "We just left plays on the field. Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking anything away from them because they played with a lot of heart and a lot of effort in the second half, and they came out and they got after us. But in the first half, we should have had two more scores. In the second half, we dropped another ball, so there were plays there, but all credit to them."

Geishauser: "It felt really great, and I'm just thankful that I recovered fast enough to play this season."

Notable: At halftime, Eliott McCloskey was named homecoming king, representing boys basketball, while Skylar Irwin was named homecoming queen, representing girls tennis … Seven different players touched the ball offensively for Altoona.

Records: Chambersburg (1-5), Altoona (4-2).

Next week: Altoona at Bishop McDevitt, 7 p.m. Chambersburg hosts Harrisburg, 7 p.m.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Chambersburg 0 7 0 7 -- 14

Altoona 0 6 6 7 -- 19

Second Quarter

C--Ferguson 62 pass from Deneen (Carrillo kick), 3:37.

A--Jackson 45 run (kick failed), 1:38.

Third Quarter

A--Clemons 18 run (kick failed), 5:33.

Fourth Quarter

A--Jackson 5 run (DelBaggio kick), 2:33.

C--Palmer 32 pass from Deneen (Carrillo kick), 1:12.

TEAM STATISTICS C A

First downs 11 12

Total yards 314 298

Rushes-yards 29-110 41-249

Yards passing 204 49

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 15-27-0 8-10-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 3-20 2-6

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Chambersburg, Tasker 13-70, Ocker 1-3, Deneen 12-26, Dixon 3-11. Altoona, Clemons 18-75, Jackson 12-101, Chathams 2-10, Geishauser 7-55, Nedimyer 1-2, Pike 1-6.

PASSING--Chambersburg, Deneen 15-27-204. Altoona, Jackson 8-10-49.

RECEIVING--Chambersburg, Ferguson 4-90, Ocker 3-33, Tasker 2-3, Palmer 4-70, Chambers 1-7, Gilliam 1-1. Altoona, Chathams 1-(4), Clemons 2-6, Nedimyer 3-23, Pike 1-7, Stump 1-17.