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CHAMBERSBURG -- Altoona held off Chambersburg in the final seconds to secure the first win of the year for the Mountain Lions with a 21-14 victory at Trojan Field.
"I'm just so happy for these kids," an emotional Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer said following the game. "Just proud of our kids, man, we made plays second half."
Made plays they did as the Mountain Lions fell behind 14-7 after the half with a 41-yard touchdown run by Chambersburg's Antonio Harrison with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
Altoona responded as it marched down the field and scored with a 21-yard pass from M.J. Harrington to Amar Emeigh-Ballos, who fought off a Trojan defender while juggling the ball for the score.
The Mountain Lions methodically drove the ball down the field with the score tied at 14 after forcing a three-and-out, making it to the 2-yard-line before losing a fumble to Chambersburg at the 3-yard line.
In what was the general theme of the evening, the Altoona defense responded with authority, forcing a three-and-out by the Trojans yet again.
Harrington willed the team down the field and rattled off a 26-yard run to set up the game-winning play.
The senior signal caller dropped back as his receivers ran verticals down the field and found Michael Chisolm in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown as Chisolm fended off multiple Trojan defenders for the first touchdown of his career.
Chambersburg was called for a hold on the play and took over at its own 13-yard-line after the penalty was assessed on the kick.
The Trojans didn't go down without a fight as they marched down the field as the seconds continued to tick off the clock. Quarterback Ceagan Pruett helped get them get to the 8-yard-line with his arm finding multiple receivers along the way, including a 23-yard strike to Trever Luther to set up first-and-goal from the 8.
After taking its final timeout of the game, Chambersburg ran a slip screen to Harrison, which was stopped by Altoona's Logan Wuckovich for a loss of 2 yards. The Trojans then spiked the ball, setting up third-and-goal from the 8 with 6 seconds left.
Pruett threw an errant pass on the next play, resulting in one final play with three seconds on the clock. His intended receiver was Luther, but the ball ultimately hit the turf for an incompletion in the end zone.
When the ball hit the turf and the clock had struck zero, the eruption of cheers from the Mountain Lions echoed through the Susquehanna Valley as the team took home the victory.
"They fought as hard as we did, and it just comes down to the same thing we've said all year, making plays," Nedimyer said.
Play of the game: Chisolm hauled in an 18-yard reception despite being held on to by Chambersburg defenders for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:56 left in the game.
Player of the game: Chisolm
Most vital statistics: After allowing a 23-yard completion to give Chambersburg the ball at the 8-yard line, Altoona forced a negative play and two incompletions to finish the game.
Chisolm: "I just had to catch the ball and make sure I secure the ball like I practice everyday. I just wanted to hold on to the ball and make a play."
Chambersburg coach Mark Luther: "I told the kids coming in that Altoona was going to look at this game and know that this is a game we can win, and they're going to play their 'A' game. and they did tonight. They made plays when they needed to and that's a difference in the football game."
Nedimyer: "These kids stepped up and did what we know they're capable of doing. We knew all year long that we're capable of making plays, and that was just the difference tonight. We made the plays when we needed to make them, and that's a credit to our kids."
Notable: Harrington finished the game with three touchdowns -- one rushing and two passing … Wuckovich and Cody Chathams each had an interception in the first half … Next Friday's game against Cedar Cliff is senior night for the Mountain Lions.
Records: Altoona (1-7); Chambersburg (3-5).
Next week: Altoona hosts Cedar Cliff,; Chambersburg is at Cumberland Valley.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Altoona 7 0 7 7 -- 21
Chambersburg 0 7 7 0 -- 14
First Quarter
A--Harrington 1 run (Chathams kick), 2:42.
Second Quarter
C--Tasker 1 pass from Pruett (Luther kick), :39
Third Quarter
C--Harrison 41 run (Luther kick), 7:12.
A--Emeigh-Ballos 21 pass from Harrington (Chathams kick), 2:40
Fourth Quarter
A--Chisolm 18 pass from Harrington (Chathams kick), 1:56.
TEAM STATISTICS A C
First downs 13 15
Total yards 316 271
Rushes-yards 41-185 23-123
Yards passing 131 148
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 6-10-0 16-27-2
Fumbles-lost 4-2 0-0
Penalties-yards 4-40 9-60
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Altoona, Harrington 17-68, Staines 12-48, Hazlewood 1-4, Adams 4-(-9), Emeigh-Ballos 3-(-9). Chambersburg, Pruett 1-0, Harrison 18-120, Watson 3-5, Brown 1-(-2).
PASSING--Altoona, Harrington 5-9-98, White 1-1-33. Chambersburg, Pruett 16-27-148 .
RECEIVING--Altoona, Emeigh-Ballos 2-38, Baker 2-45, Chisolm 2-38. Chambersburg, Luther 6-67, Harrison 2-8, Chambers 2-22, Brown 4-59, Tasker 1-1, Benedict 1-6.