Bryce Lewis

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The proverbial monkey has been lifted off of the Hollidaysburg football team’s shoulders against Fort Hill (Md.).

On Friday night inside Tiger Stadium, the Golden Tigers got stops from their defense late to rally for a 35-30 come-from-behind victory to remain unbeaten and win the ninth matchup between the schools.

Hollidaysburg (6-0) has played the Sentinels (2-2) since 2016, and lost every time, except a forfeit last year due to an ineligible player for Fort Hill. The teams didn’t play against one another in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Play of the game: Hollidaysburg quarterback Cole DeLattre floated a pass to a wide open receiver in Josh Banks for a 14-yard score with 4:02 left in the game, which was the eventual game-winning touchdown. There wasn’t a Fort Hill defender within 10 yards of Banks; The Sentinels’ punter Bobby Brauer had a 17-yard punt out his own end zone with nearly seven minutes left in the game, that gave Hollidaysburg the ball at its 26-yard line.

Player of the game: Golden Tigers running back Carter Muth had 168 yards rushing on 22 carries, and had two touchdowns.

Unsung heroes: Right before halftime, Hollidaysburg defensive back Bryce Lewis scooped up a blocked 51-yard field goal attempt at Fort Hill’s 30 for a touchdown, which had the Golden Tigers within 17-14 at the break; Hollidaysburg nose guard Joseph Keefer recovered a fumble at midfield, which led to a touchdown for his team’s next offensive possession, and a 24-21 deficit with 12 seconds left in the third quarter.

Most vital statistic: The Golden Tigers held Sentinels star running back Braelyn Younger to 121 yards rushing on 18 carries with only 51 yards in the second half.

Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre: “The defense played well. We gave up a couple big plays early in the game. The defense was undisciplined a little bit, but when it mattered, we were able to make plays. This the first time ever (we) put a team on the field that felt confident against Fort Hill, other teams, not so much. I told them (his team) in the locker room, I’m feeling good because they’re confident. It’s tough to be confident versus a team like that (Fort Hill).”

Fort Hill coach Zack Alkire: “It was a great game. It sucks to be on the opposite end of it, but lots of credit to coach DeLattre and his program. They played a phenomenal game tonight, and it was a great atmosphere. I wish those guys best luck moving forward. We love coming up here. I always say it’s a throwback to what Cumberland (Md.) used to be in the 90’s. We don’t get the crowds that we used to, like you guys do. It’s awesome to come up here and play in this kind of experience.”

Notable: Golden Tigers defensive lineman Joseph Richardson had 2.5 sacks as well as a tackle for loss. … DeLattre also had 100-plus rushing yards on the night for Hollidaysburg with 102 yards on 22 carries. … The teams combined for 18 penalties for a total of 160 yards. … Fort Hill had just one punt in the game.

Records: Fort Hill (2-2); Hollidaysburg (6-0).

Next week: Hollidaysburg plays at Jersey Shore on Friday. Fort Hill hosts Bridgeport the same night.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Fort Hill 7 10 7 6 — 30

Hollidaysburg 7 7 7 14 — 35

First Quarter

FH–Powell-Morris 43 pass from Noah House (Brauer kick), 4:53

H–DeLattre 8 run (Walters kick), 1:30

Second Quarter

FH–Brauer 38 FG, 6:09

FH–Powell-Morris 43 pass from House (Brauer kick), 2:12

H–Lewis 30 blocked kick return (Walters kick), :00

Third Quarter

FH–Younger 67 pass from House (Brauer kick), 3:19

H–Muth 2 run (Walters kick), :12

Fourth Quarter

FH–Younger 27 run (kick failed), 9:02

H–Muth 46 run (Walters kick), 8:21

H–Banks 14 pass from DeLattre (Walters kick), 4:02

TEAM STATISTICS FH H

First downs 10 15

Total yards 386 324

Rushes-yards 34-126 45-276

Yards passing 260 48

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 12-17-0 5-9-0

Punts-avg. 1-17 5-26

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0

Penalties-yards 9-65 9-95

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Fort Hill, Younger 18-121, C. Lamb 2-8, C. Bender 8-7, House 6-(-10). Hollidaysburg, Muth 22-168, DeLattre 22-102, Banks 1-6.

PASSING–Fort Hill, House 12-17-0-260. Hollidaysburg, DeLattre 5-9-0-48.

RECEIVING–Fort Hill, Powell-Morris 2-86, Bender 6-74, Younger 2-71, L. Richardson 1-17, N. Taylor 1-12. Hollidaysburg, V. Albarano 3-34, Banks 1-14, Muth 1-0.