DISTRICT 6-8-9-10 CLASS AAAA FOOTBALL

Charging on

Little Lions keep it on the ground, cruise past 'Cats

Vinny Pezzimenti

STATE COLLEGE — Alex Kenney danced and dashed for big chucks of yardage. Matt Mazzara and Dom Mills ran the offense crisply. And the defense was steady and stout.

CDT/Michelle Bixby

State College's Matt Mazzara, right, runs the ball as Central Mountain's Brandon Young trails him during the Central Mountain at State College football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. CDT/Michelle Bixby

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As expected, top-seeded State College rolled over Central Mountain on Friday night at Memorial Stadium, scoring a 42-17 victory in the semifinals of the four-team District 6-8- 9-10 Class AAAA playoffs.

The Little Lions (9-2) held a 463-204 edge in total yardage, forced five turnovers and after a slow start, mostly dominated the overmatched Wildcats (6-5).

But not is all perfect for State College — not with tougher tasks ahead, starting with the Erie McDowell-DuBois winner next Saturday at DuBois’ Mansell Stadium. McDowell and DuBois meet this afternoon.

“Basically, we told them we’ve got to get better,” State College coach Al Wolski said. “We can’t give things away.”

A poor kickoff return by State College helped Central Mountain to an early field goal. A long kick return allowed led to a Wildcats touchdown.

The Little Lions also lost three fumbles. One was deep in their own territory, but the defense was able to hold.

“I think the biggest thing is eliminating mistakes,” senior Alex Kenney said. “This is the playoffs. We’ve got to play flawless ball. You make one mistake against a good team, sometimes it’s hard to win.”

State College got away with the miscues. Kenney, Mazzara and Mills made it happen.

Kenney rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns and set up another score with a long kickoff return. Mazzara added 138 yards on the ground and a touchdown while Mills, a safety, paced the defense with an interception and two fumble recoveries.

Five different Little Lions scored touchdowns. State College rushed for 403 yards and nearly had three players carry for 100 yards or more as Jamal Albro finished with 99.

“With some of the competition that we played this year, we were able to make mistakes and we were able to recover from it,” Central Mountain coach Steve Turchetta said. “You’re not going to do that against a team like State College.”

The Little Lions produced touchdowns on five of six possessions to take a 42-10 lead late in the third quarter. That was after they started with one score in their first five drives.

Included in those first five possessions was a pair of three-and-outs and a fumble.

“We had a couple of turnovers that in a more crucial game, in a more crucial time that could really hurt us,” senior Colby Way said.

Nick Turchetta gave Central Mountain an early 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal as the Wildcats took advantage of a short field.

The ensuing kickoff was pooched to Kenney, who was lined up as an upback. He ripped off a 54-yard return, setting up Way, who covered 26 yards in two plays to make it 7-3.

“It is a rarity,” Kenney said of opponents kicking to him. “But our coaches set up the formation. They told me where he was going to kick it to. I’ve got to give that to my coaching staff.”

State College never trailed again. The Penn State-bound Kenney scored on runs of 54, 35 and 11 yards. Splitting snaps with Mills, Mazzara scored from 33 yards out and Albro added a 10-yard TD.

“Over the season we’ve kind of been known as a second half team,” Kenney said.

The defense, meanwhile, clamped down on the Wildcats. Scott Zuback, who was averaging more than 129 yards per game on the ground, was limited to 33 on 14 carries. His longest run came on a 10-yard touchdown.

Central Mountain deviated from its I-formation offense, instead using option and quick-hitting runs.

“We learned when we went to Harrisburg,” Turchetta said, “that we just couldn’t line up and bash against the big boys.”

With the victory in hand late in the third quarter, the Little Lions even tried out a no-huddle attack. Assistant coaches signaled in plays and the backs and receivers shifted based on the alignment of the defense.

“It was the first time we used it for a prolonged period,” Wolski said. “We wanted to try it so we were ready for it. We found out some bugs and things like that.”

Don’t be surprised if the State College utilizes it again soon.

“It’s definitely something that we need to get into our play-calling so that we can run it against McDowell and teams we see down the road,” Way said.

District 10 McDowell is expected to advance. State College downed the Trojans 22-10 last season in the 6-8-9-10 championship game and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

“Whoever we play next week, it’s going to be a tough game,” Kenney said. “Hopefully we’re ready to go.”

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