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State College’s bid for perfection ends with State Semi-Final loss to Harrisburg

Tagged under: District 3, District 6, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| December 3, 2022

(State College Head Coach Matt Lintal with Senior LB John Scott after the Little Lions were eliminated)

ALTOONA, Pa. — It’s never an easy moment for any program when their first loss of the season also happens to be the last time that they ever take the field together.

For the State College Little Lions, that was the case this afternoon as their undefeated season came to an end at Mansion Park by a score of 27-7 to Mid-Penn Commonwealth rival Harrisburg.

The Little Lions went into halftime feeling pretty good, as they led 7-0 on a seven-yard touchdown run from D’Antae Sheffey. However, Harrisburg came to life in the second half and scored 27 unanswered points on four rushing touchdowns by Temple commit Kyle Williams Jr.

After stopping the first Little Lion drive of the second half, Harrisburg got on the board with a 34-yard touchdown run from Williams Jr., and even more momentum was added when the Cougars went for two and were successful to take an 8-7 lead.

That started a stretch of three straight touchdown drives for Harrisburg, with the third being capped off by a 49-yard run from Williams Jr., his third touchdown just in the quarter alone.

State College had a chance to get back in the game as they were down deep inside Harrisburg territory, but Finn Furmanek was picked off by Amir Jones in the end zone to end the threat.

Harrisburg would go on to ice their trip to the PIAA 6A State Championship against St. Joes Prep on the fourth touchdown run of the day for Kyle Williams Jr., who got the bulk of the carries with Mahkai Hopkins banged up.

Williams Jr., who primarily operates as receiver, racked up 263 yards on the afternoon in addition to the four scores.

“Harrisburg established the run game more effectively, we struggled moving the football and had a couple of drops in there,” said State College Head Coach Matt Lintal. “We knew it would be a battle, they got a little bit of that momentum in the third quarter and we struggled to get it back. Credit to them, they’re a great football team and we hope they go win the State Championship and represent the Mid-Penn Commonwealth.”

For State College, it’s the end of a magical run that saw a Mid-Penn Commonwealth Conference Championship, a District 6 6A Championship, and playoff victories over Altoona, McDowell, and North Allegheny. 

The Little Lions made it to this very same spot last season, and that experience helped them keep their program where they want it to be.

“I kind of look at these last two seasons as almost one,” Lintal said. “We grew through struggle, which I think is something that we’re lacking in the world right now and that is understanding that you have to go through the struggle to build resilience and toughness and learn how to build yourself back up.”

State College had a great group of senior leadership, with so many players contributing to the success on the field, as well as in the locker room.

John “JW” Scott, Stephen Scourtis, Finn Furmanek, Donte Nastasi, Thomas Dincher, Michael Dincher, and plenty more will be heavily missed for what they were able to accomplish in their time wearing maroon.

“I am so grateful for these kids and for everything that they’ve given to this program,” Lintal said. “They’ve accomplished so much and days like today are just so hard, I’m just sad that for the seniors I’m not their coach anymore.”

“That part is harder than the loss.”

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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