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Hollidaysburg has played Maryland powerhouse Fort Hill every year since 2016 other than in 2020 and has yet to leave the field with a victory in eight matchups.
Last year, weeks after the game, Fort Hill had to forfeit the game due to the use of an ineligible player, but the Golden Tigers are hoping this is the year they finally beat the Sentinels on the field when they host them at Tiger Stadium Friday at 7 p.m.
"We faced a similar offense in Allegany," Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said. "They are similar, but I think there are better skill players and better up front players for Fort Hill. We know our size was a great benefit in stopping the Wing-T. The key is getting great penetration. We were able to get a lot of that against Allegany, which set the tone for stopping the run. We just have to make sure we're in position to make tackles, because they are very good at breaking tackles and have much better speed to break long runs than Allegany did."
Hollidaysburg enters the game undefeated just as it did last season. Fort Hill, which starts later because it is a Maryland-based school, is 2-1. Braelyn Younger has rushed for 455 yards on just 36 carries, and the Sentinels have thrown only nine passes this year.
"Their quarterback has been out," DeLattre said. "He went out in the second game on the first possession. I think they would have (thrown the ball more if not for that). They have capable perimeter guys."
But stacking the box doesn't make Fort Hill an easy team to play against.
"They are so multiple with guys that can get on the perimeter. Wing-T teams aren't as simple as getting guys in the box," DeLattre said. "You have to have spacing for the numerous things and different formations they do. We will have eight down there like we would generally have against them, but then when you space eight in the box you give up some of the perimeter. If you give up too much width, they run that sweep and change the scheme where they kick out and pull through in the middle of the field, so it becomes a little tricky as good as they run it."
Line in the sand
Bellwood-Antis has found success this season behind a strong offensive and defensive line and an excellent running game.
Philipsburg-Osceola has had a lot of success with its defensive line and stopping the run.
The Blue Devils travel to P-O on Friday at 7 p.m. to see which unit will make a bigger difference this week.
"It's going to take all 11 guys doing their job," Bellwood-Antis coach Nick Lovrich said. "The backs have to have good ball security and make sure they hit the holes. The line has to make sure they are moving their feet. Philipsburg has been looking forward to this year. A lot of their kids, like our kids, played when they were sophomores. We have played the same team three years in a row. They are definitely a formidable opponent."
Philipsburg-Osceola coach Jeff Vroman has been impressed with the Blue Devils but is confident in his own players.
"There are some things I think we can do," Vroman said. "At times, teams have had difficulty running the football on us. If we do fundamentally what we continue to do day in and day out, I have been very pleased with what we have done up front, especially defensively. It's a challenge. There's not a game on our challenge that's not a challenge. We have to make sure we're aggressive and we're in the right position and taking on blocks and putting ourselves in a position to make good, solid tackles."
Christian Jennings and Jayce Quick have both missed time due to injuries this season for Bellwood, but as they get healthy, the line gets closer to its maximum potential.
"I think they can be really good," Lovrich said. "A lot of those guys have a lot of experience playing in the past, maybe just different positions. Three guys were three-year starters for us. They are finally starting to get confidence in themselves and a little bit of swagger. They are moving their feet and doing the little things right. I think we saw the benefits of that Friday night."
Philipsburg-Osceola is 3-2 but coming off a disappointing loss to Bald Eagle Area.
"You work on things that you didn't do," Vroman said. "That's something that we focused on this week. There were a lot of plays to be made, and we didn't make them. It is what it is. It is part of the learning process, and that's what we have to do. We have to focus on the next week and continue to improve."
Meanwhile, Bellwood beat rival Tyrone last week and got its quarterback, Bradyn Partner, back from a leg injury.
"It's huge," Lovrich said. "All winter and summer we planned on doing certain things that we haven't been able to do yet because of him being banged up a bit. The healthier he gets, our offense -- which has been pretty good -- is going to get even better, because we will be able to do some different things to take advantage of our skill sets."
The Mounties are right in the hunt for one of the four playoff spots in District 6 Class 3A, and Vroman says his team believes in themselves.
"We couldn't ask for a better attitude at this point," Vroman said. "The kids have worked hard. There are a couple plays the kids would want back in a couple football games. You can't back up. You just have to learn from them and get better. They have done a good job of that."
Getting defensive
Altoona has played exceedingly better defensively the last three weeks.
Even in a loss to Central Dauphin, many of the 38 points allowed came after offensive turnovers, but the crowning achievement was last week's shutout of Central Dauphin East.
"I think we're just building week to week," Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer Jr. said. "Each week, our kids have gotten better and better. They are getting to the football and good things are happening."
The Mountain Lions will host defending PIAA Class 5A champion Bishop McDevitt at Mansion Park on Friday at 7 p.m.
"They are good and have good skill," Nedimyer said. "They run around. They don't do a lot of things wrong, but it comes down to the same stuff for us. We have to execute offensively and defensively we have to get helmets to the football. We have to make sure we're tackling, because they have some kids who can make plays. That's for sure."
McDevitt graduated star quarterback Stone Saunders but returns senior running back Nazir Jones-Davis, who played in McDevitt's 28-21 win over Altoona last year.
The Mountain Lions will be trying to win at Mansion Park for the first time this season.
"You always want to win at home," Nedimyer said. "Turnovers cost us the last time we were here, but no matter where you're at, it's just about continuing to do the fundamental things that will give us a chance at the end."