By Jarrod Prugar

For the Mirror

HARRISBURG — Altoona’s fourth quarter touchdown proved to be too little too late as the Mountain Lions fell to the Central Dauphin Rams, 21-6, at Landis Field Friday night.

The Rams scored on their first possession of the game and never looked back en route to the victory.

The Mountain Lions were able to swing momentum in their favor with a Cody Chathams interception prior to the half to hold the deficit at 14.

Altoona went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half while Central Dauphin was able to punch it into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown by Mark Lebo, his second 1-yard rushing score of the game.

The Mountain Lions found the scoreboard with 6:28 left in the game on an Amar Emeigh-Ballos 6-yard touchdown run but wasn’t able to get the ball back.

Altoona’s play of the game: Branson Adams recorded the second interception of the game for Altoona in the end zone to set up the Mountain Lions’ first touchdown drive since the second quarter against Hollidaysburg in the first week of the season.

Altoona’s player of the game: Altoona’s MJ Harrington rushed for 93 yards.

Unsung heroes: The Altoona defense once again held an opponent to seven points or less in the second half.

Most vital statistic: All three of Central Dauphin’s touchdowns came inside the 10-yard line.

Central Dauphin coach Glen McNamee: “If (the Mountain Lions) keep doing what they’re doing, I think they’re going to present some problems for a lot of people. So hats off to Altoona and their defensive game plan, the way they played and MJ Harrington — he was a big factor tonight.”

Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer: “It was nice to see us finish and finish the drive in the fourth quarter there, but a little too little, too late. Our defense definitely did it again, keeping us in the football game.”

Harrington: “With our offense, you’ll always be able to trust the O-line. You don’t really have to think, you can just react and then they just keep doing a great job.”

Notable: Altoona’s fourth-quarter touchdown was the first score in 13 quarters of play for the Mountain Lions … The two Altoona interceptions were the first turnovers forced by the defense this season.

Records: Altoona (0-4), Central Dauphin (2-2)

Next week: Altoona hosts Central Dauphin East at 7 p.m. Central Dauphin hots Cumberland Valley.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Altoona 0 0 0 6 — 6

Central Dauphin 7 7 7 0 — 21

First Quarter

CD–Lebo 1 run (Jimenez kick), 7:36.

Second Quarter

CD–Kirkpatrick 7 run (Jimenez kick), 6:14.

Third Quarter

CD–Lebo 1 run (Jimenez kick), 5:51.

Fourth Quarter

A–Emeigh-Ballos 6 run (Kicked failed), 6:28.

TEAM STATISTICS A CD

First downs 8 17

Total yards 149 330

Rushes-yards 30-131 51-239

Yards passing 18 91

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 2-11-0 8-15-2

Punts-avg. 6-36.5 3-31

Fumbles-lost 3-1 0-0

Penalties-yards 7-45 6-60

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Altoona, Harrington 14-93, Pike 3-7, Patterson 6-6, Hazlewood 2-(-1), Adams 3-21, Emeigh-Ballos 2-5. Central Dauphin, Hodgson 9-41, Harris III 16-62, Kirkpatrick 5-22, Lebo 14-85, Garcia 6-28, Neuhard 1-1.

PASSING–Altoona, Pike 0-1-0, Harrington 2-10-18. Central Dauphin, Kirkpatrick 8-15-91.

RECEIVING–Altoona, Adams 2-18. Central Dauphin, Kurtz 3-33, Robinson-Bell 2-18, Johnson 2-31, Lebo 1-8.