PITTSBURGH — The State College Little Lions made some impressive runs at Pittsburgh Central Catholic in their PIAA quarterfinal game at Altoona on Friday, Nov. 22, but, in the end, the Vikings’ Elijah Faulkner’s 237 yards rushing and some turnovers spelled a 41-19 loss for the Little Lions.
Central broke out early in the game to a 21-0 lead on a 40-yard Jy’aire Walls pass and two Faulkner runs just one minute into the second quarter.
State College, though, had been a quick-strike team all season, and the Lions used some of that to respond with two fast touchdowns that put them right back into contention.
The first was a 45-yard pass from quarterback Eddie Corkery to Cooper Brushwood at the 8:27 mark in the quarter.
Then, after a defensive stop, State College drove again with Corkery finding Hank Lustig in the endzone from 28-yards out for a touchdown that tightened the score to 21-13.
Faulkner and the Central Catholic offense came right back, however, with a drive that ended in Faulkner’s third score and a 28-13 lead heading into the locker rooms for halftime.
State College was hoping for a stop to begin the second half and another chance for a touchdown, but it didn’t happen.
Central Catholic padded its lead less than two minutes into the third quarter on another Faulkner run, this one from 33-yards out, and the Vikings were well on their way to the semifinals.
State College scored again on a Corkery to Ty Salazer pass late in the quarter, but that would be all the Lions could get as Central wrapped up the 41-19 victory.
In all, Pittsburg Central Catholic gained 410 yards of total offense, with Faulkner accounting for the bulk of that with his 238-yard, four-touchdown night.
Walls finished nine for 14 for 113 yards and a touchdown.
State College put up 278 yards, with Corkery going 18 for 42 for 273 yards and the three touchdowns. Counting the yards lost on sacks, State College managed just five rushing yards in the game.
With the loss, the Lions’ season ended with a very good 11-2 record and a District 6 and Regional Championship.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic will move on in the PIAA, 6A tournament and face District 3’s Harrisburg this weekend in the semifinal. Harrisburg defeated Wilson on Friday, Nov. 29, 42-14, in the quarterfinal.
The winner of that game will play in the championship against either District 1 champion Downingtown West or defending state champion St. Joseph’s Prep on Saturday, Dec. 7, in the final at Cumberland Valley High School.
In other action involving local teams, District 6 3A champion Penn Cambria will play 7-1 Avonworth in the 3A semifinal, and District 6 1A champion Bishop Guilfoyle will play 4-1 Muncy in the 1A semifinal.
