Flowers and McDaniels Lead Panthers Over Lions @MehkiFlowers @cdeastfootball

Tagged under: District 3, District 6, News

Tristan Klinefelter | September 18, 2021

Central Dauphin East running back Marcel McDaniels runs the ball against Altoona in Friday’s game against Altoona. McDaniels finished with 184 rushing yards on the night. Friday, September 18, 2021. Photo by Two 20 Studios.

Friday night during the third quarter the Altoona Mountain Lions just scored on a huge run play to bring the game to just a four-point separation. But not for long as Penn State Commit Mehki Flowers took a screen 81 yards to the house. This would be just one of Flowers’s big plays on the night. Quarterback Terrence Jackson-Copney and Flowers were able to connect on five passes for a total of 150 yards and two scores in Friday night’s matchup.

The scoring started early in the second quarter. To cap off a 15 play drive Lions kicker Ian Palilla nailed a 24-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead. This would be the last time the Lions have the lead for the night. Later in the second quarter, the Panthers of Central Dauphin East were able to find the endzone. On the drive Flowers and Jackson-Copney connected on a 50-yard pass and running back, Marcel McDaniels added a 26-yard run. McDaniels would cap off the drive with 45 seconds left to go in the half with a three-yard touchdown run. The point-after attempt was good giving the Panthers a 7-3 halftime lead. McDaniels would finish the game for the Panthers with 184 total rushing yards and a touchdown. After the game Panthers, head coach Lance Deane commented about McDaniels saying, “He’s your ideal kid. He’s humble, a hard worker and he’s a do it all type of guy. I’m happy he’s getting what he’s worked for.”

To open the second half the Panthers took control immediately. On the opening kick off Flowers scampered for a 62 yard gain down to the 19-yard line. A few plays later the catch of the night happened when Jackson-Copney connected with Flowers in the back of the endzone from eight yards out. However, it seemed to be a dropped pass by flowers but the referees called a touchdown. The extra point was good making the score 14-3 Panthers. There were many upset Lion players and coaches in which penalties were added to the kickoff. This then led to the infamous kickoff from the 30-yard line.

A very interesting touchdown by CD East. Score now 14-3 CD East @PaFootballNews @cdeastfootball pic.twitter.com/w4tmc6inNv

— Tristan Klinefelter (@pfntristan) September 18, 2021

Altoona would respond to the so-called phantom touchdown. The very next drive Ethan Stroup found a hole and ran 47 yards to the house. Palilla nailed the extra point making the score 14-10 with seven minutes left in the third quarter. However, the very next play Jackson-Copney and Flowers would connect on a screenplay that would go 81 yards for the touchdown taking the wind out of the home crowd. This long touchdown play gave the Panthers a 21-10 lead with 5:55 to go in the third quarter.

The next Altoona drive stalled and on fourth down the Lions turned the ball over on downs. The very next play Jackson-Copney connected with Jeremiah Swanson for a 66-yard touchdown. After a blocked extra point, the Panthers would have a 27-10 lead witch would be the final score of Friday night’s game.

CD East with the 66 yard strike to extend lead to 27-10 @PaFootballNews @cdeastfootball pic.twitter.com/k4ymMYCavV

— Tristan Klinefelter (@pfntristan) September 18, 2021

Friday’s game marked a three-game winning streak for the Panthers after dropping a close week 0 matchup against Manheim Township 24-21. McDaniels commented on this win streak adding, “We get better every week, we go hard in practice and have each other’s back.” The Panthers will look to keep the win streak going as they face off against State College next Friday. For Altoona, this is the first loss of the season but they will look to bounce back next Friday as they take on Cumberland Valley.

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