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Friday night's PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal between State College and Central Catholic started as even as it could be through the first quarter.
However, following a D'Antae Sheffey touchdown which tied the game for the Little Lions, the ensuing kickoff didn't get enough depth, setting the Vikings up with a short field.
From there, the season slipped away as Central Catholic scored 35 unanswered points as it eliminated State High, 42-21, at Mansion Park.
Sequence of the game: The kick following the State College touchdown trying the game was returned to the Little Lions 41-yard line. Four plays later Owen Herrick found Maceo Watkins from 25 yards out to give the Vikings the lead for good.
Player of the game: Herrick was 13-for-16 for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Unsung heroes: Viking RB Chrys Black racked up 110 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown while wide receiver Aiden Nasiadka reeled in seven catches for 137 yards and a score.
Most vital statistic: Only one Central Catholic possession in the first half ended on a punt.
Central Catholic coach Ryan Lehmeier: "(State College RB D'Antae Sheffey) is tremendous. He's really elusive, he's good after contact. He's not a bulky kid, but he can slash. He covers the stripes quick. Their quarterback (Connor Kulka) is young, but he's athletic, he can move around, he's got a big arm. It was more so making sure that we knew where the skills guys were, and stopping the run first, and put some things on their quarterback in some good downs and distances that are advantageous to our defense.''
State College coach Matt Lintal: "We had a great drive (to tie the game) where we answered (the first Central Catholic score). Then, we got out rhythm, had a bad snap, got a penalty, they killed another drive. We had opportunities to make other plays and didn't quite get there.''
Lintal on the season: "These guys have been unbelievable. It's a small group of really good leadership. These guys love this game, they love each other, they love their school, love playing for it. I love being their coach, and I'm going to miss them, but they've left their mark. They've shown these guys what it takes. We got a lot of guys with a lot of experience coming back. I'm excited for the future."
Notable: The Little Lions will graduate 14 seniors on a roster that included over 80 players. ... They helped win four district titles along with at least a share of two Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division Championships. ... Syracuse bound commitment Sheffey in his final game as the Little Lion racked up 99 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns.
Records: Central Catholic (12-1), State College (10-3)
Next week: Central Catholic will play Harrisburg in the PIAA Class 6A semifinal next week. State College's season is finished.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Central Catholic 14 20 8 0 - 42
State College 7 0 0 14 - 21
First Quarter
CC--Nasidaka 65 pass from Herrick (Difatta kick), 10:30.
SC--Sheffey 7 run (Markowski kick), 4:40.
CC--Watkins 25 pass from Herrick (Difatta kick), 3:30
Second Quarter
CC--Black 20 pass from Herrick (Difatta kick), 8:47.
CC--Thompson 17 run (Difatta kick), 7:58.
CC--Difatta 30 FG, 1:44.
CC--Difatta 32 FG, :02.
Third Quarter
CC--Thompson 23 run (Thompson run), 10:23.
Fourth Quarter
SC--Sheffey 5 run (Markowski kick), 9:42.
SC--Coad 69 pass from Kulka (Markowski kick), 3:04.
TEAM STATISTICS CC SC
First downs 14 9
Total yards 409 256
Rushes-yards 30-166 23-103
Yards passing 243 153
Pass (comp.-att.-int.) 13-16-0 12-19-0
Punts-avg. 4-36 3-37.6
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 11-103 8-92
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Central Catholic, Black 14-110, Herrick 1-(-2), Thompson 5-67, Ray 1-(-10), Alexander 12-49. State College, Kulka 4-(-4), Sheffey 18-99, Walker 1-8.
PASSING--Central Catholic, Herrick 13-16-0-243. State College, Kulka 12-19-0-153.
RECEIVING--Central Catholic, Nasiadka 7-137, Watkins 3-50, Black 1-20, Gatten 2-36. State College, Brushwood 1-11, Lukac 2-14, Lustig 1-20, Sheffey 2-2, Fry 3-11.