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By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
On paper, the Hollidaysburg Area High School football team has an undistinguished 4-5 record this season.
But looking inside the numbers reveals a more complete story, as the Golden Tigers have competed against an independent schedule that is one of the toughest in the state.
Four of Hollidaysburg's losses have come at the hands of unbeaten Fort Hill, Md. and Westinghouse (both 9-0), Selinsgrove (9-0-1), and Danville (9-1). The other was a hard-fought defeat to Allegany, another of Maryland's top teams.
The Golden Tigers lost by only seven points to PIAA Class 3A powerhouse Danville and by just eight points to defending PIAA Class 2A state champion Westinghouse.
Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre and his players are hoping that the tough competition will steel the Golden Tigers for tonight's 7 p.m. District 6 Class 5A championship game against Central Mountain (3-7) at Mansion Park.
"I think that our schedule has definitely prepared us heading into the playoffs,'' DeLattre said. "We've had a very fun season playing against some of the top teams, and we love the challenges that has provided.''
Golden Tigers senior lineman Colin Padamonsky is also grateful for the great competition that Hollidaysburg has faced this season.
"We were in a lot of close games with a lot of really good teams and we were just a few plays here and there from having a significantly better record than we do,'' said the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Padamonsky, who began starting at offensive tackle for the Tigers late in his sophomore season and has also seen some starting time at defensive end this year.
"I think that playing all that really good competition is going to serve us well in the playoffs,'' Padamonsky said.
Along with the difficult competition, Hollidaysburg has also faced plenty of adversity because of absences due to injuries and/or illnesses.
With of its three top players -- senior quarterback/running back Drew Wyland, junior quarterback/running back Maddox Bainey, and senior lineman Jeff McCoy -- all sidelined for either most or all of last week's game, Hollidaysburg still managed to defeat DuBois, 44-23.
DuBois rolled up 590 yards in total offense, including 434 through the air, but Hollidaysburg got game offensive performances from backup sophomore quarterback Cole DeLattre, his older brother, Cade, a senior wideout, and junior running back Mitchell Baronner.
Cole DeLattre completed seven of 13 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in three quarters after Wyland had left the game with an injury, while Baronner rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns.
Caden DeLattre -- the Tigers' leading receiver this season with 40 catches for 781 yards and nine touchdowns -- caught a scoring pass from Wyland and also returned an interception 55 yards for another touchdown.
"Our defense gave up over 500 yards last week, but offensively, I think that we played really well,'' Homer DeLattre said. "Our offense was able to move the ball and put points on the board, so it was a nice way to finish the regular season.
"Even though we've had our battles with injuries this year, we've had a lot of kids step up for us,'' Homer DeLattre added. "As a result, we've been able to be very competitive against a very difficult schedule.''
Bainey -- who has thrown for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns this year — is expected to return for tonight's game, but Wyland and McCoy will again be out.
First-year Central Mountain coach Travis Thompson anticipates a tough battle from Hollidaysburg.
"They're definitely a very talented team,'' Thompson said of the Golden Tigers. "They've played a tough schedule and they've faced some adversity with some injuries this year. They're a very dangerous team that is definitely on the uptick right now.''
Central Mountain is led by senior quarterback Thomas Sprague, who has completed 83 of 180 passes for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Senior back Rocco Serafini has rushed for 1,082 yards on 210 carries and 13 TDs for the Wildcats, while senior wideout Connor Foltz has a team-leading 40 receptions for 546 yards and five scores.
"They are a senior-heavy team with a lot of experience, so I'm sure that they feel like they are ready to challenge for a championship,'' Homer DeLattre said of Central Mountain. "They use a good mix of the run and pass to keep you off-balance.
"Their size is a big concern for us,'' Homer DeLattre added. "They have some really good athletes -- including a couple 300-pound linemen -- so we certainly have to be prepared for that. They will be a tough opponent.''
Hollidaysburg and Central Mountain are the only two scholastic football programs competing at the District 6 Class 5A level. Hollidaysburg defeated Central Mountain, 42-21, in the 2021 district championship game at Mansion Park.
Last year, neither team opted to enter the playoffs because of poor season records, but this year, both teams are chomping at the bit to win a district title.
"We're really excited about playing this game,'' Padamonsky said. "We didn't get a chance to do it last year, and we've worked really hard to get back to this game. We're looking forward to it.''
So is Homer DeLattre.
"I think it's been a really good season for us against a challenging schedule, and I definitely think that our players deserve the chance to play for the district championship,'' he said.