Homecoming brought with it a festive atmosphere but not a victory as State College fell 34-0 to Central Dauphin on Friday night at Memorial Field.
A Central Dauphin field goal in the opening minutes of the game gave the Rams a 3-0 lead and State College would never be any closer.
State College drove the ball down the field on the next drive but a field goal attempt went wide right. The Little Lions would slow the Central Dauphin offense but a deflected pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown extending the Ram’s lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter.
State College looked to have stopped the Rams deep in their own territory but a trick play on third down by Central Dauphin turned a pass from receiver/running back Jake Notestine into a 66-yard touchdown pass to a wide open target. The 17-0 lead seemed to all but finish the evening with a few minutes remaining in the first half as the Little Lions struggled to get a normally reliable ground attack going.
A 42-yard field goal would extend the lead to 20-0 heading into halftime.
State College’s struggles continued in the second half. Central Dauphin scored twice more in the second half from one and nine yards out.
The Little Lions fall to 2-3 on the season and will face an always talented Chambersburg squad Oct. 4. For Central Dauphin, the Rams improve to 3-2 on the year and will take on Mifflin County next week.
