Prior to the State College High football team’s playoff game against DuBois, Little Lions head coach Matt Lintal said he believed his team was better than its 4-6 record.
After Friday night, everyone else should believe that too.
Playing against the heavily favored Beavers at Hollidaysburg High School, the Little Lions turned in a shockingly dominant performance, dismantling Dubois 29-7 to win the district title.
“The preparation of our guys was terrific,” Lintal said. “They really came out ready to play. Before that first kickoff, they were antsy to get going and it showed.”
For most of the night, the problems that plagued the Little Lions throughout the season seemed to happen to Dubois instead.
Whether it was turnovers, the inability to finish off drives or bad penalties, the Beavers hardly looked like a squad that finished 8-2 during the regular season.
“We have really focused on turnovers, on limiting them on offense and forcing them on defense,” Lintal said. “Our kids played hard and they played together tonight.”
The key to the dominating performance was the State College defense, which harassed star quarterback Gabe French all night.
From the front seven pressuring French to the secondary intercepting him twice, the Division I prospect never had a chance to develop any rhythm.
“It was really our entire defense that played great tonight,” Lintal said. “The secondary covered everybody up and that really allowed our guys to get sacks. Our big advantage was up front and that really showed tonight.”
It became clear early on that the game was heading in State College’s favor. After a 29-yard Kevin Cramer field goal put them up 3-0 on their first drive, the Little Lions continued to gain momentum when Peter Haffner picked off a French pass in the end zone.
At that point, the pieces continued to fall in place for the Lions. Jordan Misher capped off a long drive with a 3-yard score before the defense made yet another statement.
With French and the Beavers threatening to score deep in State College territory, linebacker Nathan King scooped up a fumble and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. The thrilling play gave the Lions a 15-0 lead (following a second missed extra point) and seemed to break the Beavers spirit.
“Getting a defensive touchdown was huge,” Lintal said. ‘That was tremendous and uplifting for us.”
The onslaught continued when the next Lions drive ended with a 21-yard touchdown burst from Misher. Although DuBois would threaten one more time in the first half, an interception by Kellin Valentine sent the game into halftime with State College up 22-0.
“[At halftime] they were still hungry,” Lintal said. “They still weren’t satisfied with what had happened. We met as a defense to talk about the things we needed to improve on.”
In the beginning of the third quarter, the Beavers finally seemed to come to life. After stopping State College on the opening drive of the half, French took advantage of a blown coverage by connecting with Kevin Foley for a 40-yard score.
With the momentum potentially shifting, the Lions immediately drove a stake into the Beavers hopes with a two-play, 79-yard touchdown drive. Weakland scrambled for a 58-yard gain before Misher scored his third touchdown with a 21-yard run for a 29-7 lead.
That would be the icing on the cake for State College, as the fourth quarter came and went with little action before the team jubilantly celebrated its upset victory.
“Right after the touchdown, the drive they had to get a little momentum, to come back and answer really shut the door on them,” Lintal said. “We made some adjustments and they paid off.”
The Little Lions next playoff game will be next Friday, Nov. 21. Their opponent has yet to be confirmed.
Popular Stories:
Penn State Football: Previewing The Opponent: Temple
Penn State Football: 115 Stolen Tickets Not Valid For Penn State Vs. Temple
Tallying Up Bowl Ban Shows How Deep Sanctions Have Hit Penn State Football
Penn State Basketball: Nittany Lions Show Depth In 61-48 Season Opening Victory Over Morgan State
Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Fall 4-3 To No.4 UMass-Lowell
ESPN’s Outside The Lines Discusses Paterno Legacy
Penn State BOT Votes to Restructure Board, Delays Conversation of Joining Lawsuit Against NCAA
State College Man Sentenced for Arson, Cemetery Vandalism Spree
Emails Reveal NCAA Nearly Imposed Death Penalty on Penn State
Going Green: Park Forest Elementary Among Honorees for Recycling Efforts
