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Line Mountain wins D4 1A title in slugfest with Montgomery

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 7, 2025

The rain started to fall just before the game between Line Mountain and Montgomery began at Line Mountain High School. It was going to rain on someone’s parade tonight, and neither team wanted to leave with a water logged and sunken dream. But someone had to win the title and, after a 4 quarter slugfest the Eagles captured a 20-14 win over the Raiders.

“That was a hell of a ball game. Montgomery played a hell of a game” said Eagles head coach Brandon Carson. The Eagles converted on several key first downs to keep drives alive throughout the game, none more important than the two fourth down plays that led to the eventual game winning score.
“Just trusting. you can’t second guess yourself. Our offensive line paved the way for us all year. Ethan Lenker, I told him this week that it might come down to him and running the ball in key situations and he provided big results” said Carson.

Both teams turned the ball over several times and one key turnover happened during Line Mountains first possession. Forced to punt, the kick was muffed by a Raider player and was recovered by Hank Malfara on the Raider 23. The Eagles made their first fourth down conversion count as they lined up for a field goal on the four yard line but Dalton Schadel took the snap and danced into the endzone giving the Eagles an early 7-0 lead.

Montgomery then went on a heck of a drive, converting on one of their fourth down attempts and drove from their 46 to the Line Mountain 4 but their second fourth down attempt came up short at the three. They got another chance after Trace Furman picked off Kaiden Maurer but failed to score on this drive. The Raider defense forced a punt and the offense went on a nice, scrappy drive to the endzone. Josh Knoebel raced in from 23 yards out to tie the score at 7 with just 1:41 left in the first quarter and that’s where we stayed at the break.

Both defenses held tight for most of the third quarter until Line Mountain hit a strike. On first down at their own 45 Maurer took the snap, scrambled and found a wide open Hank Malfara for a 55 yard scoring strike. Malfara made a nice move on the defender to get loose and into the endzone. The kick gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead with 2:53 left in the third quarter

That lead lasted exactly 12 seconds.  On the ensuing kick Briar Persing headed to the sidelines then straight to the endzone, tying the game at 14.

Line Mountain responded with their best drive of the night. Starting at their own 33 they drove the length of the field, twice converting on fourth down. Lenker converted the first one with a short run, then Maurer hit Malfara for a 29 yard gain to the 17. With 8:03 remaining in the game Maurer found Bryce Smelta in the corner of the endzone. The Eagle missed the kick and the score remained 20-14.

Montgomery gave up the ball on downs on their first comeback attempt but they got another chance when Maurer fumbled giving the Raiders the ball on their 35. On fourth and six a pass from Parker Persing fell incomplete and the Eagles ran the clock out by yes, converting on fourth down.

For Montgomery, their season comes to an end with a 10-3 record. The Champion Eagles have no small task next week as they begin their state round with powerhouse Lackawanna Trail.

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