State College’s season ends at PIAA quarterfinals. ‘So proud of our kids’

State College’s PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal at Altoona’s Mansion Park with Central Catholic felt even through the first quarter.

After going three-and-out on their first drive of Friday night’s PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal, State College immediately responded with a touchdown from D’Antae Sheffey to tie the game.

But on the ensuing kickoff, the Little Lions didn’t get enough depth on the kick and from there Pittsburgh Central Catholic took the lead right back.

From that point on, anything that could go wrong did for the Little Lions.

The Vikings scored 35 unanswered points as they went on to eliminate State College, 42-21, at Mansion Park.

“We had a great drive (to tie the game) where we answered (the first Central Catholic score),” State College coach Matt Lintal said. “Then, we got out rhythm, had a bad snap, got a penalty, they killed another drive. We had opportunities to make other plays and didn’t quite get there.”

The loss brings the Little Lions’ season to a close at 10-3 while the Vikings have now won 12 in a row after dropping their opening game of the season.

It would be just over a minute later when Maceo Watkins took a 25-yard pass from Owen Herrick to the house to give the Vikings at 14-7 lead.

The Vikings turned the momentum for good as they recovered a Little Lion fumble early in the second as Chrys Black took a 20-yard pass from Herrick for a touchdown.

Herrick would finish 13-for-16 for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Antonio Difatta added a pair of field goals from 30 and 32 yards respectively to give Central Catholic a 34-7 lead at the break.

“(Sheffey’s) really elusive,” Central Catholic coach Ryan Lehmeier said. “He’s good after contact. He’s not a bulky kid, but he can slash. He covers the stripes quick. Their quarterback (Connor Kulka) is young, but he’s athletic, he can move around, he’s got a big arm.

“It was more so making sure that we knew where the skills guys were, and stopping the run first, and put some things on their quarterback in some good downs and distances that are advantageous to our defense.”

Sheffey — who will take his talents to Syracuse next season — finished with 99 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns in his final appearance with the Little Lions.

In what Lehmeier described as needing to have their best drive of the season coming out of the half, they activated the running clock on a 23-yard run by Roman Thompson.

“I’m so proud of our kids,” Lintal said of his team’s efforts all season. “They have so much fight in them. They show up every day and give everything they have. They’ve been growing up together their whole lives and coming out here with a chance to perform, I couldn’t be more proud of them for the way they conduct themselves.”

Central Catholic racked up 409 yards of total offense, compared to State High’s 256. Penalties also proved costly for the Little Lions, as they were hit with eight of them for 92 yards including four on the drive which the Vikings activated the mercy rule.

Friday night’s loss brings an end to the careers of 14 Little Lions who were part of four straight District 6 Championships and helped them clinch at least a share of two Mid Penn Conference Commonwealth Division.

“These guys have been unbelievable,” Lintal said. “It’s a small group of really good leadership. These guys love this game, they love each other, they love their school, love playing for it. I love being their coach, and I’m going to miss them, but they’ve left their mark. They’ve shown these guys what it takes.”

Lintal is also optimistic about the future with plenty of depth coming back.

“We got a lot of guys with a lot of experience coming back. I’m excited for the future.”

The Vikings will face the Little Lions Mid Penn Conference Commonwealth brethren from Harrisburg next week for a berth in the state championship.