PCC wins thriller to advance to title game (photos included)

Tagged under: District 3, District 7, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Leo Murray | November 30, 2024

Five years ago to the day, Marvin Harrison Jr. made an incredible leaping catch in the back of the endzone at Mansion Park in Altoona. That catch sent the Vikings home for the season while SJP went on to play for a state title. That scene nearly played out again. Trailing 38-27, Harrisburg quarterback Jaiyon Lewis heaved a bomb down the center of the field. Wide receiver Elias Cody-Coke laid himself out perfectly for the td catch in the back of the endzone to make it a 38-33 game with the Vikings leading and 6:37 left to play. All they had to do was run the clock down and stop Harrisburg. That plan nearly failed. The Cougars got the ball back and with just minutes remaining they drove the length of the field. Facing a fourth and three on the PCC 19 with 39 seconds left in the game, Lewis scrambled to his right and threw into a crowd in the corner of the endzone. Chris Black Jr was there to pick the ball off and seal the trip to Cumberland Valley for the Vikings.

“That’s a heck of a program. I was just proud of our resolve and our resiliency. For a freshman to come up big like that for us I couldn’t be more happy” said Vikings head coach Ryan Lehmeier. On a windy, very cold afternoon, the Vikings took control early and used great field position all day long to hold onto a lead. Elijah Faulkner scored on a 42 yard run after a short punt. Jy’Aire Walls then had a 12 yard td run of his own to put Central Catholic up 13-0 early.

The Cougars were resilient as well. Messiah Mickens closed the gap with an 11 yard td run but less than a minute later the Vikings hit back with a 25 yard td pass from Walls to Max Roman. Back and forth they went. Mickens from 15 yards out, Xavier Thomas hauled in a 23 yard td pass for the Vikings and Lewis plunged in from one yard out to make it 28-21 PCC lead at the half.

It was field position that made the day easier for PCC and harder for the Cougars who outgained the Vikings 541-243 yards. In the second half the Vikings extended their lead after a short punt once again had them in great position. Walls had a one yard run, then when Harrisburg fumble the kick away the Vikings got a 36 yard field goal from Billy Lech to make the score 38-21 with 4:20 left in the third quarter. Right back came the Cougars with a 62 yard td pass to Quincy Brannon.

With their backs to their goal line at the 11, Lewis hit a nice gain over the middle with a pass to Coke then on fourth and 18 he found Brannon again to put the Cougars within striking distance before the game ending interception.

Central Catholic will face St. Joseph’s Prep on Saturday for the PIAA Class 6A title. They lost to SJP 42-7 in their last title game appearance in 2016.

More photos HERE

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews