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Good way to finish: Altoona Mountain Lions close year with elusive home win

H.S. football extra

By Jarrod Prugar 4 min read

The legs of Cody Chathams pushed the Altoona Mountain Lions to a 31-21 senior night victory against the Carlisle Thundering Herd Friday night at Mansion Park.

Chathams, a junior, rushed for 121 yards including two second-half touchdowns that stretched out Altoona's 10-7 halftime lead.

He also kicked a 31-yard field goal and was 4-for-4 on extra points.

"Cody's been a playmaker for us since junior high, and we knew that with him coming up," Altoona head coach Vince Nedimyer Jr. said. "It's good to see these young guys grow up a little bit and mature. I think they're understanding what it means to be a Mountain Lion and to have that pride."

That pride was unwavering throughout Friday's contest, which got started with a scoreless first quarter before Altoona quarterback Mekhi Jackson found senior Logan Wuckovich for a 19-yard touchdown reception to put the Mountain Lions up 7-0.

Wuckovich was one of 16 seniors honored during senior night festivities who saw their careers in maroon and white end as Altoona is not entering the District 6 Class 6A playoffs, according to Nedimyer.

Chathams' 31-yard field goal gave the Mountain Lions a 10-0 lead, but a Jackson interception led to Carlisle putting points on the board before the half.

The Thundering Herd's Carter Wilson found Curtis Stroud on a 27-yard pass that bounced off the hands of Altoona's Noah Stump.

Both teams failed to score in the third quarter, but Chathams took a pitch from Jackson and ran 10 yards for the score and a 17-7 lead.

Chathams found the end zone again on the Mountain Lions' next possession, this time a 41-yard run off a pitch from Jackson.

The 24-7 lead didn't last as Carlisle scored on a 60-yard run by Wilson to cut the lead to 10.

Senior running back Julian Hazlewood put the Thundering Herd away for good with a 19-yard touchdown run to give Altoona a 31-14 cushion.

Carlisle scored with 11 seconds left when Wilson found Trevon Harris for an 8-yard touchdown pass and to make the game 31-21.

Play of the game: Chathams took a pitch from Jackson and sliced through and past the Carlisle defense for a 41-yard touchdown rush to put the game out of reach.

Player of the game: Chathams. He rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns as well as kicking a 31-yard field goal and being 4-for-4 on extra points.

Unsung hero: Hazlewood had nine carries in the second half and had a 19-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the season.

Chathams: "It feels good to help the team win, especially on senior night and to get the last win for the kids who won't get to play football again."

Nedimyer: "You play for the seniors this week every year, whether it's home or away. Couldn't be more proud of them and the team the way we executed in the second half."

Carlisle head coach Brett Ickes: "We didn't do enough. We have a lot of work to do.''

Notable: Altoona honored 16 seniors prior to the game … Former Mountain Lion standout Troy Pincherri was the honorary captain.

Records: Altoona (3-7), Carlisle (0-10).

Next week: Both teams' seasons are finished.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Carlisle 0 7 0 14 -- 21

Altoona 0 10 0 21 -- 31

Second Quarter

A--Wuckovich 18 pass from Jackson (Chathams kick), 11:55.

A--Chathams 31 field goal, 4:24.

C--Stroud 27 pass from Wilson (Hakim kick), :05.

Fourth Quarter

A--Chathams 10 run (Chathams kick),10:16.

A--Chathams 41 run (Chathams kick), 7:48.

C--Wilson 60 run (Hakim kick), 6:30.

A--Hazlewood 19 run (Chathams kick), 3:14.

C--Harris 8 pass from Wilson (Hakim kick), :11

TEAM STATISTICS C A

First downs 9 11

Total yards 340 300

Rushes-yards 26-166 34-261

Yards passing 174 39

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 16-28-0 2-5-1

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0

Penalties-yards 4-20 2-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Carlisle, Stroud 17-70, Wilson 7-101, Hakim 1-(-5), Jackson 1-0. Altoona, Hazlewood 16-76, Jackson 7-38, Baer 4-26, Chathams 7-121.

PASSING--Carlisle, Wilson 15-26-0-137, Campbell 0-1-0-0, Stroud 1-1-0-37. Altoona, Jackson 2-5-1-39, Chathams 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING--Carlisle, Stroud 4-42, Hakim 7-110, Baker 1-10, Jackson 1-(-1), Bell 1-4, Harris 2-9. Altoona, Chisholm 1-21, Wuckovich 1-18.

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