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By John Enrietto
For the Mirror
BUTLER TOWNSHIP -- For the second time, Butler threatened to get within one score after allowing three early touchdowns to Hollidaysburg Friday night at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium.
But the Golden Tigers were up to the task.
With his team leading 27-13, Hollidaysburg linebacker Cooper Tewell intercepted a tipped pass at the Tigers' 15-yard line midway through the second quarter. Five plays later, Drew Wyland connected with Caden DeLattre for 57 yards on a deep pass down the left sideline.
That set up a 2-yard Jack Steiner touchdown run with 4:20 left in the third quarter -- accounting for the final points of Hollidaysburg's 33-13 road win over the Golden Tornado.
Play of the game: Tewell's interception.
"We preach to our kids to play under control, don't get too high or too down over what's happening on the field," Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said. "We just want to control what we can control, which are attitude and effort.
"That interception was a big play. We responded when we had to tonight."
Landon Lacey intercepted a Wyland pass -- one of a few mistakes the Tigers quarterback made all night -- to give Butler possession at the Hollidaysburg 43. But Tewell's interception foiled the Golden Tornado's comeback attempt.
Player of the game: Wyland ran for 162 yards and passed for 158.
Unsung heroes: Caden DeLattre had three receptions for 129 yards. Tewell had two interceptions, and Nate Grabill and Robbie Mullen had one each for the Tigers.
Most vital statistic: Hollidaysburg amassed 22 first downs and 427 yards of total offense.
Setting the tone: A 44-yard touchdown run by Wyland capped a four-play, 65-yard drive on the game's first possession. Wyland's 13-yard scoring run capped a 61-yard drive the next time the Tigers had the ball.
A trick play resulted in paydirt on Holliday's third possession. Brady Steiner took a handoff from Wyland and found Caden DeLattre in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown pass and a 20-0 lead with the game still in the first quarter.
"We were jumping up and down, shouting in the locker room before we came out to start this game," Wyland said. "We wanted to make a quick statement, take control right away."
Butler did it: Butler's Braylon Littlejohn connected with Ian Wilson for an 8-yard touchdown and Littlejohn capped a 30-yard drive with a 5-yard scoring run with 11:09 still left in the first half. That touchdown was set up by Ethan Deless recovering a Hollidaysburg fumble at the Tigers 30-yard line.
"We hurt ourselves with turnovers tonight," Coach DeLattre said. "That helped them get back in the game."
Butler coach Eric Christy: "Getting the kickoff to start the second half, I thought we had a chance to get within a score and make this a tight game. Instead, we went three-and-out. But our defense gave us another chance. (Hollidaysburg's) line play controlled much of the game and their quarterback was pretty elusive. We had trouble running the ball, but plays were there in the passing game."
Notable: Hollidaysburg did not punt until less than three minutes remained in the game. … Littlejohn threw for 191 yards and rushed for 59 for the Tornado. David Graef caught seven passes for 72 yards.
Records: Hollidaysburg (2-1); Butler (2-2).
Next week: Hollidaysburg hosts Fort Hill, Md., next Friday; Butler hosts Erie.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Hollidaysburg 20 7 6 0 -- 33
Butler 7 6 0 0 -- 13
First Quarter
H -- Wyland 44 run (pass failed), 10:19
H -- Wyland 13 run (Wedel kick), 5:49
H -- Ca. DeLattre 33 pass from B. Steiner (Wedel kick), 2:45
B -- Wilson 8 pass from Littlejohn (Mortimer kick), 2:15
Second Quarter
B -- Littlejohn 5 run (kick blocked), 11:09
H -- J. Steiner 3 run (Wedel kick), 2:01
Third Quarter
H -- J. Steiner 2 run (kick failed), 4:20
Individual Statistics
Rushing--Hollidaysburg, Wyland 20-162, J. Steiner 12-57, Baronner 6-23, TEAM 1-(-4), Ulery 2-16, Bainey 2-(12). Butler, Littlejohn 11-59, Graef 3-14, Lacey 1-(-8), TEAM 1-(-7), Catalfano 2-28, Rihn 2-1, Rensel 2-1.
Passing--Hollidaysburg, Wyland 8-16-2-158, Bainey 0-1-0-0, B. Steiner 1-1-0-33. Butler, Littlejohn 17-29-4-191.
Receiving--Hollidaysburg, Tewell 1-16, Ca. DeLattre 3-129, J. Steiner 1-11, B. Steiner 1-6, Albarano 1-9, Bell 2-20. Butler, Lacey 3-65, Wilson 4-37, Graef 7-72, Klemz 1-1, Catalfano 1-6, Hanley 1-6.