By Jarrod Prugar
About the Mirror
LEWISTOWN — Buoyed by Bron Mosley’s four-touchdown night, the Altoona Mountain Lions defeated Mifflin County, 26-8, at Mitchell Field Friday night in the District 6 Class 6A semifinals.
It didn’t get off to an ideal start for coach Vince Nedimeyer Jr.’s Mountain Lions as Aidan Dill fumbled the kickoff.
“On the road, that’s not the way you want to start the game,” Nedimer said. “Our biggest thing was that it was so early in the game to just stay with him. … (Dill) did a phenomenal job catching shots and not losing focus.”
Just three plays later, Altoona got the ball back on an MJ Harrington strip to Mifflin County’s Jaylen Bowersox.
From there it was all Moseley and Altoona as the Mountain Lions punted just once in the first half en route to an 18-0 lead entering halftime.
Mosley rushed for 95 yards in the first half and three touchdowns as he eclipsed the 20-touchdown season plateau for Altoona.
“Bron has great vision, good feet, and it’s paying off for him,” Nedimer said. “I’m proud of his effort. He’s going to give all the credit to those guys up front, but he’s got a nose for the end zone, too, so I’m happy for him.”
It was the eighth time Mosley has rushed for over 100 yards this season and the second time against Mifflin County.
While Mosley and the offense got the job done and made it look easy at times, the defense did more than its fair share, forcing three Huskies turnovers and holding them under 150 yards.
Despite the late touchdown, the score was never in doubt for Altoona, which faces State College in the 6A final next Friday in Hollidaysburg.
Play of the game: Harrington stripped the ball from Bowersox on the Huskies’ third play from scrimmage to set the table for the Lions’ first touchdown.
Player of the game: Mosley rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns.
Unsung Heroes: Harington and Logan Vukovich. Harrington shut out the Bowersox in the first quarter, also intercepting Mifflin County’s Landen Eichhorn later in the first half. Vukovic recovered Eichhorn’s shot in the second half to seal the game.
Most important stat: In two games against Mifflin County this season, Mosley has scored six first-half touchdowns.
Nedimer: “This win was huge. Winning this game and reaching the district final are goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season. We are lucky to have this opportunity and for now we will enjoy it. And then get ready for State College on Sunday and Monday and see what happens next Friday night.
Mifflin County coach Shane Breon: “Now we’ve created a culture here where we expect to win every week. I think in two years we accomplished a lot and these kids had a winning season, going 11-9 in the regular season.”
Mosley: “We came in here and did exactly what we thought we could do. We created a big jump on the line. I was able to take advantage of the opportunities I had based on what my teammates gave me. It was a great win and our guys up front did a great job.”
Notable: The Mountain Lions fumbled twice.
Records: Altoona (5-6); Mifflin County (5-6)
Next week: Altoona vs. State College in the District 6 6A final Friday at Tiger Stadium in Hollidaysburg.
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Altoona 7 12 0 7 — 26
Mifflin County 0 0 0 8 — 8
First quarter
A–Mosley 1 run (Harrington kick), 5:11
Second quarter
A–Mosley 7 run (kick failed), 11:05
A–Mosley 4 run (run failed), :33
Fourth quarter
A–Mosley 5 run (Chatham kick), 9:44
MC–Kearns 7 pass from Eichorn (Reed pass from Eichorn), 7:30
TEAM STATISTICS A MC
Total yards 263,149
Rush-yards 45-220 18-59
Passing yards 43 90
Pitching (comp.-att.-int.) 1-3-0 16-30-1
Fumbles-loss 2-2 2-2
Penalty yards 5-60 11-70
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Altoona, Mosley 26-127, Treece 4-54, Davis 7-30, Freiwald 1-2, Emey-Ballos 5-2, Jones 2-5, LaRocco 2-2. Mifflin County, Eichhorn 5-41, Hay 1-0, Schaeffer 12-18.
PASSING – Altoona, Freiwald 1-3-0-43, Mifflin County, Eichhorn 16-30-1-90.
PICK UP–Altoona, Corso 1-43. Mifflin County, Kearns 6-19, Reed 1-15, Hay 4-32, Bowersox 3-24, Schaeffer 2-9.