The Golden Tigers had to fight for everything they got in the District 6-8-9-10 Class 5A subregional championship as well as overcome three lost fumbles in the process.

The Tigers’ Carter Muth was on the unfortunate end of all three of those as two were ripped from his hands and the third was a mix-up that ended up in the hands of DuBois.

However, with the game on the line, and Hollidaysburg needing a touchdown, coach Homer DeLattre still had the utmost faith his running back would find the end zone, and the junior didn’t disappoint.

Muth powered his way across the goal line to give Hollidaysburg the lead for good with 1:24 left in the contest that ended with the Tigers squeezing out a 25-24 victory over the Beavers at Tiger Stadium.

Photo for the Mirror by Chuck Meyers Vince Albarano knocks down the Hail Mary pass intended for Samson Deeb as time expires.

“We talked about championship characteristics before we went out tonight. One of the things we talked about was perseverance,” DeLattre said. “Our guys did a great job of the things we talked about. (We also talked about) self-control, perseverance, being disciplined, knowing bad things are going to happen and playing the next play. We fed off each other with our enthusiasm — which is another character trait of a champion. … We knew there were going to be trials, and ups and downs.”

Game-winning drive: Hollidaysburg, which beat DuBois by a 49-0 final two weeks ago, took over with 3:17 to play at their own 48 following a DuBois punt. The Golden Tigers put together an eight-play drive that saw Muth carry the ball six times for 24 yards, while quarterback Cole DeLattre ran twice for the other 24. On a second-and-goal, Muth followed his blockers up the middle into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

Muth: “I had some mistakes but it always means a lot to get another chance to do it right and finish.”

Game-sealing defensive stand: DuBois began its final drive of the night with 1:15 at its own 8-yard line. Three passes from Trey Wigard to Jaxson Hanzely totaling 56 yards, and a 10-yard keeper by Wingard, had the Beavers down to the Tigers 26. However, a 5-yard penalty moved the ball back to the 31 where the ball was spiked to stop the clock. After lining up for what would have been a 50-yard field goal attempt with 4 seconds left, Hollidaysburg called a timeout, and then another after DuBois came out from the first with the offense back on the field. Wingard’s pass into the end zone was knocked out of the air by Vince Albarano, who also had an interception in the final two minutes of the third stanza, to end the game.

Coach DeLattre: “The defense stepped up and made some big plays, including knocking the ball down at the end. … It’s a shame someone had to lose this game, but I am glad it was us that won.”

Photo for the Mirror by Chuck Meyers Cole DeLattre looks for running room against DuBois.

Player of the game: Muth who ran 32 times for 278 yards and caught one pass for 6. The junior got Hollidaysburg off to a great start when he took the first play for scrimmage 65 yards to the house just 11 seconds into the contest. He tacked on another 65-yard run on the Tigers’ third possession that put his team ahead 13-7 with 11:12 showing on the second quarter clock.

Muth: “It was huge having those two big runs, because we started off the game hot. We really tried to deter them (DuBois) from staying in the game.”

Unsung heroes: Wingard and Jaxson Hanzely, Wingard, who entered the game needing one touchdown pass to set the school’s single season TD record, wasted no time as he found Thacher Hanzely, who had six catches for 87 yards in the opening half, on the Beavers’ first drive on a 28-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 7:53 of the first frame. The signal caller, who threw for 234 yards and ran for 41 more, found his favorite wideout, Jaxson Hanzely seven times for 119 yards, but it was Samson Deeb who connected with Jaxson Hanzely on a halfback pass where Jaxson went up over Albarano and made the catch before racing 72-yards for the go-ahead score just two seconds into the final quarter. The catch not only put DuBois up 24-19, but it also helped the senior receiver set the single season school record for receiving yards in the process.

DuBois coach TJ Wingard: “I’m just sad to lose in a game knowing how hard they played, how close they were. I’m hoping for these younger kids that leaves a taste in their mouth that shows them what can be done when a team bands together.”

Most vital statistic: Hollidaysburg ran the ball 51 times on the night for 362 yards, while only attempting seven passes totaling 20 yards.

Coach Wingard: “You wouldn’t recognize us today (from the game two weeks ago) — no one would have. We were embarrassed that night in this locker room and in this school. I’m pretty sure the kids just banded together and said that is never going to happen again as this season goes.”

Notable: DuBois’ Maddox Barnes made a 28-yard field goal before Wingard, on a fourth-and-4, scrambled around before finding running room up the middle on a 39-yard TD run to give the Beavers a 17-13 edge they took into the half. … Cole DeLattre put Hollidaysburg up 19-17 on a 24-yard TD run at 3:41 of the third quarter. … Joey Ruscitti came up with two fumble recoveries for DuBois, including the second which had Hollidaysburg set up at the DuBois 5 midway through the fourth quarter.

Records: DuBois (7-5); Hollidaysburg (12-0).

Coach DeLattre: “I’m super proud to be their coach with the way they came out with the win tonight.”

Next week: DuBois’ season is complete; Hollidaysburg advances to play Delaware Valley in the first round of the PIAA playoffs next Friday or Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

DuBois 7 10 0 7 — 24

Hollidaysburg 7 6 6 6 — 25

First Quarter

H–Muth 65 run (Walters kick), 11:49.

D–T. Hanzely 28 pass from Wingard (Barnes kick), 7:53

Second Quarter

H–Muth 65 run (kick failed), 11:12.

D–Barnes 28 field goal, 4:35.

D–Wingard 39 run (Barnes kick), 1:08.

Third Quarter

H–DeLattre 24 run (pass failed), 3:41.

Fourth Quarter

D–J. Hanzely 72 pass from Deeb (Barnes kick), 11:48.

H–Muth 3 run (run failed), 1:24.

TEAM STATISTICS D H

First downs 15 18

Total yards 380 382

Rushes-yards 28-74 51-362

Yards passing 306 20

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 19-35-1 3-7-0

Punts-avg. 5-28.4 2-33.5

Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-3

Penalties-yards 8-78 4-40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–DuBois, Duncan 13-19, Wingard 11-41, J. Hanzely 4-14. Hollidaysburg, Muth 32-278, DeLattre 16-87, Consiglio 2-0, Rhodes 1-(-3).

PASSING–DuBois, Wingard 18-33-1-234, Deeb 1-1-0-72, TEAM 0-1-0-0. Hollidaysburg, DeLattre 3-6-0-20, Muth 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING–DuBois, T. Hanzely 6-87, Duncan 2-18, J. Hanzely 8-191, Deeb 3-10. Hollidaysburg, Banks 2-14, Muth 1-6.