Abington program offers new challenges for Golden Tigers
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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
Hollidaysburg is having one of its best high school football seasons in school history but rather than a raucous celebration after the Golden Tigers defeated DuBois to win the District 6-8-9-10 subregional last week, another feeling was obvious in the locker room.
"I think there was a little bit of relief," Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said. "It was awesome to be able to win that game after losing it a number of times over the years. Getting over that hump of winning the subregional and getting into the state playoffs, the kids are very deserving of that after playing a very challenging schedule the last few years. To be able to win that after a lot of adversity and a number of injuries late in the season was really relieving for the kids."
The next step for Hollidaysburg is District 2 champion Abington Heights in the PIAA Class 5A tournament on Friday at Milton High School.
"They pose a little different of a challenge than our last few opponents that have been spread-type offenses," DeLattre said. "These guys are very good at run-pass mix. They use tight end sets and a variety of sets in motion that present a challenge for us."
Heights quarterback Nick Bradley has thrown for 1,982 yards and 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions this year, but he was banged up in Abington's last game.
"Their quarterback is very good, but he did get hurt in the second half of their game the other day," DeLattre said. "I'm not sure how significant it is, but when he went down, they had their leading receiver come in and play quarterback, and he led them on a touchdown drive and had a number of nice passes, so they definitely have a lot of athletes. They are a long, athletic and fast football team. They are fundamentally sound and well coached. They are a tough set of kids, and it's a great challenge for us."
In addition to Bradley taking care of the ball, the rest of his team does as well, something the Tigers need to do a better job of according to their coach.
"Turning the football over is key," DeLattre said. "We had some key turnovers (against DuBois) with a chance to expand our lead. The team we're playing has only turned the ball over around five times all year. They protect the football really well, so winning the turnover battle is going to be critical as well as running the football on offense. We also have to tackle well and read our keys."
Despite having to travel over an hour and a half for Friday's game, DeLattre isn't concerned considering Hollidaysburg has a long history of traveling and winning.
"We play well when we're on the road for the most part the last couple years," DeLattre said. "I'm confident that we'll stay in routine. It's about that hour and 45 minute mark that Mifflinburg was, Allderdice was and Butler. The kids are prepared for that and have done a good job handling that the last couple years and have played well on the road. That's the expectation."
SUBHED: No letdown
Penn Cambria is fresh off its first District 6 football championship and is preparing to take on District 5-9 champion Somerset at Forest Hills on Friday.
The Golden Eagles come into the game with a 4-7 record, but they have lost four games by one score, including one in overtime.
"They play very hard," Penn Cambria coach Nick Felus said. "Their coach has done a very good job with that program. They are physical and big up front on both sides of the ball. Offensively they are pretty multiple. It's a similar style and similar scheme of football that we play. That will help us out defensively, but for them to go on the road and win a playoff game is very good for them. We expect to get their best, and we'll be ready."
Though Somerset has a losing record, Felus said his team will be focused.
"With our group, they set some very high goals and rightfully so with the kind of group we have," Felus said. "But they have attention to detail every week in practice. We're able to sit down Monday every week and restart and refocus. That's something our group is very good at."
The winner of Friday's game will play the winner of the District 10 championship between Hickory and Sharon.
"They understand that winning the district championship was one of our goals, but they understand we have to hit the reset button, because we have another set of goals we want to accomplish," Felus said. "One of those goals was definitely to be able to practice Thanksgiving morning. In order to do that, we have to take that first step toward that goal, which is beating Somerset."
Turnaround complete
Bedford's shutout victory in the District 5 Class 2A championship game over Berlin Brothersvalley last week put a rose on a 9-3 season a year after the Bisons went 3-7 and missed the playoffs.
"Every season is new and unique, but what I did know is that the kids who were returning from last year had a very sour taste in their mouths after last season," Bedford coach Kevin Steele said. "That was a very atypical season for Bedford football, and those kids were not happy about that. We thought we had a good summer, and the kids worked hard in camp and got some wins strung together in the first half of the season that helped them gain confidence. They continued to play and work well together as a team and the progress has happened throughout the season."
Now Bedford is back in the PIAA tournament and will travel to Claysburg-Kimmel on Friday to take on District 3 champion Steelton-Highspire.
"It's exciting for the kids, the district and the community," Steele said. "I'm really proud of our kids. They worked exceptionally hard to get to this point. To have the performance that we had on Friday night with a defensive shutout, only allowing three first downs, was pretty impressive for our kids."
The Rollers are the defending PIAA Class 1A champions and defeated Northern Bedford at Claysburg last season.
"Speed and athleticism is the biggest thing," Steele said. "They have several athletes that they can spread the ball around to. So, controlling them and not letting them get into space and letting them make big plays will be a big part of the game. Offensively for us, we need to control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball on offense to keep them from having a lot of plays on their side of the ball."