Altoona’s Ethan Stroup Rushes Lions To Victory @EthannStroup @MtLionFootball @two20studios

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Tristan Klinefelter | September 4, 2021

Altoona’s Ethan Stroup carries the ball in Friday night’s victory over Williamsport. Stroup finished with 178 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Photo by Two 20 Studios. September 4, 2021.

Friday night the Altoona Mountain Lions and Williamsport Millionaires squared off in a rematch of last year’s state playoff game. Faced with a tie game with less than two minutes to go Lions Ethan Stroup took the ball, bounced outside, and ran 63 yards down to the four-yard line. This was just one of Stroup’s big plays on the night as he finished Friday’s contest with 178 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns to lead the Lions to a 31-24 victory.

The Lions looked to use Stroup early and often Friday night as on the opening drive Stroup managed to touch the ball on every single play. Nine plays and 76 yards later Stroup would power his way into the end zone from two yards out. The point-after attempt was good by kicker Ian Palilla to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead. Williamsport would look to respond but on their first drive, Altoona’s Derrick Taborn intercepted quarterback Frankie Morrone at the 11-yard line. This would be the first of four Lion takeaways in the game.

On Williamsport’s next possession they were able to drive down the field and score. From seven yards out Morrone would find Jamaire Harden who made an amazing catch to keep his feet in bounds for the Millionaire score. The point-after attempt by Connor Poole was good tying the score at 7 with 10:07 to go in the second quarter.

Williamsport was able to find the endzone again after getting the ball in Lions territory. Keith Freeman would find the end zone from just four yards out. The point-after attempt by Poole was good giving the Millionaires their first lead of the night 14-7 with 6:37 to go in the second quarter. Altoona was able to score before halftime. With just five seconds on the clock, Palilla nailed a 22-yard field goal. This made the score 14-10 going into halftime.

Williamsport takes the lead on a four yard touchdown run. Score now Williamsport 14 Altoona 7 @PaFootballNews @Millionaire_FB pic.twitter.com/CymD1WE1ln

— Tristan Klinefelter (@pfntristan) September 3, 2021

To open the second half Williamsport received the kick and wasted no time scoring. On just six plays the Millionaires were able to get down to the one-yard line. Nasir Hennigan would drive his way in for the score. Hennigan would finish the game with 19 total carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. This score put Williamsport up 21-10 with 8:57 to go in the third quarter. Williamsport would get the ball back but on a screenplay, there would be a fumble in which Lions Kaleb Spriggs recovered at the 30-yard line.

Altoona would take the fumble opportunity and drive 70 yards downfield capped off by quarterback Aidan Steinbugl keeper from one yard out. This made the score 21-17 after a Palilla extra point with 2:53 to go in the third quarter. Williamsport looked to keep the lead but on their following possession, Ethan Hileman intercepted Morrone’s pass at the 23-yard line. Altoona would take the ball downfield and Stroup would power his way into the endzone once again to give the Lions a 24-21 lead with 8:20 to go in the game.

Lions head coach Vince Nedimyer commented on the adjustments that needed to be made for the second half saying, “Not really anything, we played a little bit more man. We had to get after these guys they were making plays and we told the kids we can’t quit and we got down to start the second half but we never quit. They responded to adversity and I’m just proud”.

Ethan Stroup puts Altoona in the lead with a six yard touchdown with 8:26 to go in the game. Altoona 24 Williamsport 21 @PaFootballNews @AltoonaAthletic pic.twitter.com/G2T3RltKOP

— Tristan Klinefelter (@pfntristan) September 4, 2021

However, Williamsport would respond. Poole would attempt a 23-yard field goal in which he nailed it tying the score at 24 with 3:54 to go. The following Altoona drive would be the difference of the night for the Lions. On the second play, Stroup would take the ball, bounce outside, and scramble for 63 yards before being caught at the four-yard line. Stroup commented on his run saying, “I just saw the guy close on me and I just started running down the sideline until I got caught”. Two plays later Steinbugl would score on a keeper from one yard out. This gave the Lions a 31-24 lead with 1:32 to go.

The Millionaires had one more opportunity to score and almost did. On the drive, Morrone threw a pass that went backward but when trying to spike the ball his knee hit the ground so they had to use two plays. And on fourth down Morrone heaved the ball to the endzone but Tyson Reid was waiting for it in the endzone.

Final Altoona 31 Williamsport 24 @PaFootballNews @AltoonaAthletic pic.twitter.com/c5ybo8Xg7q

— Tristan Klinefelter (@pfntristan) September 4, 2021

For the Williamsport Millionaires, they drop to 1-1 on the year and look to bounce back next week as they face Mifflin County next Friday. And for the Altoona Mountain Lions, they advance to 2-0 on the year and will face off against Taylor Allderdice next Friday.