Behind a 24-point second quarter, 380 rushing yards and four interceptions — including two pick-6s, Hollidaysburg scored 52 unanswered points to close out a decisive, 52-7 rout.

The win was an additional bullet point in what’s been a strong, seven-game stretch for the program.

Play of the game: Coming off a field goal to go up 17-7 late in the first half, the Golden Tigers found themselves with one last opportunity to build on that lead following a Josh Banks interception. They’d take full advantage one play later, as quarterback Cole DeLattre broke multiple tackles on his way to a 26-yard touchdown run, giving Hollidaysburg a three-score lead just before the halftime horn sounded. The sequence as a whole played a key role in the team taking full control.

Player of the game: While Tigers running back Carter Muth and DeLattre each warranted honorable mentions, combining for 311 rushing yards and four touchdowns and playing key roles in the team’s 52 unanswered points, it was defensive back Banks that made the biggest impact. The senior posted a hat trick of interceptions, including two he took the distance himself from 40 and 33 yards out, respectively. On top of his three picks and two pick-6s, he also turned his lone reception into 29 yards.

Photo for the Mirror by Tim Weight Hollidaysburg's Wyatt Frazier runs in the open field.

Unsung heroes: Banks headlined the secondary, but the unit as a whole played a big role in the win. Alongside Banks, Tyler Rodgers added an interception that the Golden Tigers used to take a two-score lead late in the second. They halted a hot start from Shore quarterback Nolen Pauling, held standout receiver Carson Watkins to one reception and allowed just 25 passing yards through the final three quarters.

Most vital statistic: Prior to its four interceptions, the Bulldogs saw other mistakes damper their momentum early. Two drops on throws that would’ve been first downs eventually forced them to punt, and five early penalties for 30 yards didn’t help matters. Hollidaysburg also showed an affinity for converting third-and-long, converting three of 7 yards or more. All those aspects helped Hollidaysburg shift the momentum its way.

Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre: “These three games we just had to play on the road against three state-ranked teams were very difficult. The kids had great focus and energy every day. They came to practice. To be able to come out 3-0 after that stretch is pretty impressive.”

Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish: “Give Hollidaysburg all the credit. They played with a lot of energy, lot of physicality. By far the most physical team we’ve played in quite a while. We’re not gonna quit on our kids, we love our kids. We’re gonna get right back after it for Penn Wood next week.”

Cole DeLattre: “We knew they were a very fast, aggressive team and they showed that early. But I think we saw some things they were doing and counteracted those with the ability that we have. We just played well fundamentally; we did the fundamentals better than they did and that’s what brought us where we are”

Notable: Runs of 74, 55, 36 and 26 yards were at the forefront of what was a dominant performance on the ground for the Golden Tigers. On the night, they averaged a first down per carry, with Muth and Delattre making it nine combined 100-yard rushing outings on the season. Apart from that, Hollidaysburg also became the first team since 2019 to defeat Jersey Shore by six scores or more.

Records: Hollidaysburg (7-0); Jersey Shore (6-1).

Next week: Hollidaysburg visits Selinsgrove. Jersey Shore plays host to Penn Wood.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Hollidaysburg 0 24 21 7 — 52

Jersey Shore 0 7 0 0 — 7

Second Quarter

JS–Sechrist 5 run (Passetti kick), 11:40.

H–Muth 74 run (Snyder kick), 11:21.

H–DeLattre 55 run (Snyder kick), 11:21.

H–Snyder 27 field goal, :45.

H–DeLattre 26 run (Snyder kick), :12.

Third Quarter

H–Banks 40 interception return (Snyder kick), 8:06.

H–Muth 67 run (Snyder kick), 4:04.

H–Banks 30 interception return (Snyder kick), 2:12.

Fourth Quarter

H–Snyder 10 run (Peters kick), 5:40.

TEAM STATISTICS H JS

First downs 10 11

Total yards 440 171

Rushes-yards 38-380 30-102

Yards passing 60 69

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 4-8-0 11-24-4

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0

Penalties-yards 3-25 5-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Hollidaysburg, Muth 11-167; DeLattre 17-144; Garlick 1-36; Snyder 3-15; Wallace 2-7; Consiglio 2-5; Rhodes 1-4; Vent 1-1. Jersey Shore, Sechrist 15-68; Pauling 14-36; Winters 1-(-2).

PASSING–Hollidaysburg, DeLattre 4-8-0-60. Jersey Shore, Pauling 11-22-3-69; Watkins 0-2-1-0.

RECEIVING–Hollidaysburg, Banks 1-29; Coke 1-12; Frazier 1-8; Metzger 1-6. Jersey Shore, Ryan 7-49; Rhinehart 1-8; Watkins 1-6; Thompson 1-6; Yingling 1-0.