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By Ron Musselman
For the Mirror
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Hollidaysburg has constructed its own version of the Steel Curtain defense.
The unbeaten Golden Tigers pitched their third consecutive shutout Friday night, intercepting five passes in a 24-0 victory over Butler at Tiger Stadium.
Hollidaysburg's defense has not been scored on since the second quarter of the opener, a span covering 14 quarters.
"We haven't allowed a score since the second quarter of the Altoona game," said Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre, whose team matched its best start in 17 years at 4-0. "We've really been playing some great defense."
Hollidaysburg's Gavin Bell intercepted Butler quarterback Alec Teff three times, helping set up one touchdown in the first half, and Josh Banks returned another pick 22 yards for a score. Kayden McCrystal added an interception in the second half.
Hollidaysburg snuffed out two serious scoring threats by Butler (2-2), holding the Golden Tornado on four downs from the 2 late in the second quarter and again on four plays from the 17 in the third quarter.
"We couldn't get anything going," said Butler coach Eric Christy, whose team had its two-game winning streak snapped. "We knew they were big up front and they did a nice job with their defensive line.
"We just didn't have an answer for their defense."
Butler surrendered three touchdowns and a field goal in the first 12:04, then shut Hollidaysburg out the rest of the way.
Mitchell Baronner scored the game's first touchdown for the Tigers on a 14-yard run less than three minutes into the first quarter.
Banks then scored a pick-6 against Butler quarterback Alec Teff, making it 14-0.
"I am glad we finally scored on defense," DeLattre said. "Those guys definitely deserved one. That was one of the things that's been missing from our impressive defense this year."
Hollidaysburg quickly recovered an onside kick by Paul Wedel that he eventually converted into a 27-yard field goal.
Bell's first interception came on the last play of the first quarter and Baronner capped it off with a 4-yard scoring run on the first play of the second period.
"We have nine or 10 guys who are three-year starters on defense and that's really helped us round into shape and play well," Banks said.
Play of the game: Baronner's first touchdown run came one play after Butler was flagged 15 yards for running into Wedel on a successful 43-yard field goal try.
Player of the game: Bell. He picked off three passes, and has five interceptions in four games. "It feels good to be playing well and to be undefeated," he said. "We want to keep rolling into next week and possibly the rest of the year."
Unsung hero: Banks. His interception return came just three plays after Baronner's first TD run.
Most vital statistic: Hollidaysburg has outscored its four opponents 107-0 in the last 14 quarters.
More Christy: "I thought our defense played well -- we shut them out in the second half. Our offense put us in bad spots all night and we just couldn't get out of them."
Notable: Hollidaysburg quarterback Maddox Bainey did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season. He completed 8 of 17 attempts for 95 yards. ... The Tigers improved 2-0 at home. ... In addition to throwing five interceptions, Teff attempted 42 passes for Butler, completing 18 for 149 yards. ... Tailback Mark Klemz, who rushed for 174 yards last week against Meadville, was held to just 19 yards on 11 carries by the Tigers. ... Butler outgained Hollidaysburg 214-144. ... Preston Simko led all receivers with 11 catches for 87 yards.
Records: Butler (2-2); Hollidaysburg (4-0).
Next week: Butler hosts Westinghouse; Hollidaysburg at Mifflinburg.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Butler 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Hollidaysburg 17 7 0 0 -- 24
First Quarter
H--Baronner 14 run (Wedel kick), 9:06.
H--Banks 22 interception return (Wedel kick), 7:40.
H--Wedel 27 FG, 5:05.
Second Quarter
H--Baronner 4 run (Wedel kick), 11:56.
TEAM STATISTICS B H
First downs 13 9
Total yards 214 144
Rushes-yards 27-65 29-49
Yards passing 149 95
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 18-42-5 8-17-0
Punts-avg. 3-31.7 4-34.0
Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-1
Penalties-yards 7-65 4-20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Butler, Kollinger 13-37, Klemz 11-19, Hanley 2-9, Jennings 1-0. Hollidaysburg, Baronner 13-37, Muth 3-9, DeLattre 2-8, Bainey 9-6, Bell 2-(-11).
PASSING-Butler, Teff 18-42-5-149. Hollidaysburg, Bainey 8-17-0-95.
RECEIVING--Butler, Simko 11-87, Klemz 3-26, Hanley 1-16, Vicari 2-12, Baggetta 1-8. Hollidaysburg, Steiner 3-42, Bell 2-22, Albarano 1-21, DeLattre 2-10.