State College and North Allegheny to battle for 6A semifinal spot

Tagged under: Centre County Report, District 6, News, Playoffs

Billy Splain | November 24, 2022

State College v North Allegheny

The trip to the title usually ends in this round. State College hasn’t beaten a District 7 team in many years in the playoffs. A victory here would be something Matt Lintal has never had, a win to advance in the playoffs against a WPIAL team. As a matter of fact, the last time it happened was in 2009 when the Little Lions beat Woodland Hills and advanced to the State title game. They lost to La Salle in a blizzard. Lintal was an assistant at Bucknell that year. Last year, Mt. Lebo steam rolled the Little Lions on their way to the state title. The last time State High met North Allegheny, in 2011, the Tigers lost to Central Dauphin after beating State High..  man running back D’Antae Sheffey was having his way with the Trojans until an injury sidelined him early in the third quarter. He’s a thread to go the distance every time he touches the ball. His line, led by the Dincher boys, Thomas and Michael along with Stephen Scourtis blocking from the tight end spot makes it easier for Sheffey, nor does quarterback Finn Furmanek. Furmanek stands tall in the pocket, and when he’s hot it is hard to shut him down. When he is on, the most dangerous thing for defenses is he isn’t afraid to take off, and he has the frame to use.

Defensively John Scott leads the way. Michael Gual, Scourtis and Eli Espinoza are also among the leaders for the Little Lions when they don’t have the ball. This is a team that has the potential to get to the next round. They just have to believe in themselves and not in history.

North Allegheny Is going to have to do more than what they’ve been doing to keep State College on the down side of the streak. 19.5 points per game wont keep up with the 39 points the Little Lions usually put on the board. The one thing the Tigers do have to counter is a stingy defense. They’ve only given up double digits 4 times this year, one of them came in last weeks playoff game with PCC.  Linebacker Kevin O’Donnell and Tyree Alualu are good with stopping the run. But its the defensive backs like Evan Lyon and Khiryn Boyd who will have to stay home to prevent the deep ball.

Offensively the Tigers are a simple team. Logan Kushner can throw the ball around and is pretty accurate, completing over 60% of his throws. Boyd and Anthony Varlotta are good at getting to open space. Look for Andrew HGavlik to get his share of the carries.

This game has the looks of a very competitive game, but if Sheffey is healthy it could be a long night for the Tigers, who, coincidentally, also have to make the long drive to State College for the game.  The winner will get the winner of the Harrisburg/Manheim Township contest being played Saturday.

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