tool name
closeLet’s play pick-a-sport and drop the names State College and Altoona with some random other big schools into a suave maroon hat. Odds are the Little Lions and Mountain Lions will somehow be linked. How can they not?
Patriot News photo/Chris Knight
State College coach Al Wolski is disappointed that the Little Lions’ rivalry with Altoona will be put on hold for at least two seasons after tonight’s meeting.
Two massive schools with only a 21-boy difference in the PIAA’s three enrollment-counting grades residing in the middle of a large state should meet for eternity.
But football includes an evolving political landscape, so tonight could mark the temporary — and possibly extended — end of an era Altoona (2-5) at Memorial Field.
With the Mountain Lions bolting the Mid-Penn Conference for the WPIAL next season, State College must endure at least two falls apart.
The point is not lost on either State College’s Al Wolski or Altoona’s Tom Palfey. Both coaches alluded to the significance of tonight’s meeting without being pressed during separate interviews this week.
“It’s really a shame that something couldn’t have been done to keep the game going,” Wolski said. “You have two really big schools 40 minutes apart. ...We’re really disappointed. I’m sure they are, too. It’s nice to have somebody on the visitors side of the stands when you play.”
Palfey, who became Altoona’s coach after the school’s decision to apply for WPIAL football membership, said the game is special because players begin competing against each other in middle school. The schools have met regularly at the varsity level since 1972.
“We look forward to playing them,” Palfey said. “Hopefully it’s not our last meeting.”
The scheduling requirements of the WPIAL, which includes schools from suburban Pittsburgh, forced Altoona officials to make some tough decisions. The WPIAL conducts a nine-week regular season because of its 16-team, four-week postseason system. Members are tied into eight WPIAL games, leaving Week 1 as the only open week on the Mountain Lions’ 2010-11 schedules.
Altoona athletic director Phil Riccio, the school’s football coach from 1999-2008, said the Mountain Lions will use their open date to play Blair County rival Hollidaysburg the next two years. The Class AAA Golden Tigers are also joining the WPIAL next season.
“We consider ourselves geographically to be part of the west,” Riccio said. “There are a lot of big schools in the western part of the state. It’s a good fit for us.”
State College doesn’t have or seek any geographic attachment, athletic director Ron Pavlechko said. Pavlechko added past schedules demonstrate the school will play teams from “all four corners” of Pennsylvania.
The Little Lions joined the Mid- Penn along with Altoona and Hollidaysburg in 2004. Hollidaysburg left the league after two years. Altoona has flirted with the WPIAL multiple times.
“I guess I look at it as a business decision by Altoona,” Pavlehcko said. “They feel the WPIAL is the best conference for them and they are going to play Hollidaysburg with the open slot. They are doing what they need to do.”
The Little Lions’ 2010-11 schedules include six Mid-Penn Division I games, one crossover game against a Division II team and three open dates. Pavlechko said State College has not filled its open dates.
The conference arrangement only impacts Altoona’s football program, meaning the schools will continue rivalries in other sports. Football playoff meetings are unlikely because Altoona will be eligible to compete in the WPIAL playoffs.
“We’re disappointed,” Wolski said, “but we’ll line up and play whoever.”
Altoona’s program has experienced a major transformation during the past six months.
Palfey, a former Altoona and Tyrone assistant coach hired to replace Riccio in June, received an encouraging turnout when 91 players reported to preseason practice. But a demanding schedule has tempered enthusiasm.
Palfey has endured some brutal roadtrips, falling to North Allegheny 53-0, Cumberland Valley 55-14 and Bishop McDevitt 49-0. The trio of highly-regarded teams are a combined 19-2.
Altoona has displayed resliency throughout this season. The Mountain Lions followed the North Allegheny thumping by defeating Chambersburg. Two weeks after losing to Cumberland Valley, they toppled Central Dauphin, the only team to defeat State College. The Trojans and Rams both enter this week with winning records.
“I have said all along as long as we control the ball and hit people we can play with anybody,” Palfey said. “Our coaches have been part of successful teams here as players and coaches and our kids have bought into the fact that anything can happen.”
Expect chaos is a good approach to a State College-Altoona affair.
The Little Lions entered last year’s game at Mansion Park 7-0, but went into halftime tied 7-7 with a 2-5 Altoona team. State College eventually prevailed 34-13. Some key Little Lions, including offensive linemen Vinh Voung, Jack DeBoef and Mike Laskowski, running back/defensive back Alex Kenney and safety/quarterback Dom Mills, played in the game.
“It’s Altoona-State College and it’s the last time we could play for a while,” Wolski said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. They are better than a 2-5 team.”
State College’s most recent game should also demonstrate the perils of looking beyond an inconsistent opponent. The Little Lions entered the fourth quarter Sunday at Central Dauphin East trailing 3-0. An inspired conclusion netted a 21-3 victory.
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