State College football overcame injuries, setbacks to get to PIAA subregional game
State College (6-5) football is in the midst of a season full of injuries, comebacks, losses and victories.
However, the Little Lions have been able to overcome the majority of the issues that plagued them. Just last week, the Little Lions hoisted the Division 6 Class 6A Championship trophy in a 17-14 victory. Now, they are headed into Friday night’s PIAA subregional against Delaware Valley (9-3). The winner gets a ticket to the PIAA Championships.
Jashaun Green went down earlier in the year with a head and neck injury. He rehabbed every day — working his way back from injury to heal. In his return to the field against Cumberland Valley on Oct. 8, Green had eight catches for 121 yards in the 21-18 victory.
Another key performance for Green was on the ground against Williamsport last Friday. The senior had seven carries for 83 yards and a touchdown and kept the defense guessing.
“It felt great playing running back [the other day],” Green said. “I used to play it freshman year back in my old days. It was great running the ball. I love each one of our guys and they fought hard for us.”
Running back Brady Bendik has stepped up, as well. He credits the resiliency of the offensive line that has taken its fair share of blows throughout the season. The senior has 130 carries for 535 yards and four touchdowns on the year, often relying on running between the tackles to complement his physical style.
“I mentioned this all the time, the coaches say, ‘Four yards. Four yards every play no matter what,’” Bendik said. “Obviously, not every play is going to work out, but get everything you can — push the pile. I think our team is great at that and if we get four yards every play, we’re getting first downs every time. Let me shoutout our o-line. I’m really looking forward to our next game.”
Head coach Matt Lintal seconds the toughness of the offensive line.
“We’re healthy up front,” Lintal said. “We’ve got our five guys that believe in each other, they trust in each other. Thomas and Michael Dincher are our guards who are our two drive blocking machines. Logan [Milito] directs traffic at center and Toby [Brennan] and John Brighton at the tackle spots — they’re five guys working together as one. Our H-Backs have really joined in with that physicality, as well.”
Delaware Valley is a tough opponent for State College. The Warriors outscored opponents 326-176 and are on a 9-game winning streak. They are led by running back and strong safety Joe Sciasa, who has 203 carries for 1,038 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year and has added a receiving touchdown.
State College may have the antidote to the running back. His name is JW Scott.
Scott began the season as a middle linebacker. The junior has totaled 105 tackles (61 solo) and three tackles for loss this year. He’s added two sacks on the year and has recently played both outside linebacker and defensive end. The role change to defensive line isn’t out of the norm for the young Scott.
His father, Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr., has years of experience of coaching up the line. The elder Scott has coached up the defensive line since 2001 and his son has now been the key to a stout Little Lions defense as their leading tackler. JW Scott also has experience in the role in the past, allowing himself to ease into the position.
“It’s an adjustment that I feel that I can make because I played d-end when I was younger and then made the switch to linebacker last year,” he said. “I’ve got really good coaches. I’ve got really good d-line coaches and I’ve got really good linebacker coaches. They’ve coached me up really well, that’s why I’ve been able to play there.”
State College is set to get things started at 7 p.m. on Friday night at Hazelton High School.
