Central “special team” in win over Westmont-PIAA D6 3A Playoffs

Tagged under: District 6, Game Photos, Gameday Hub

Greg Ricupero | October 24, 2020

PIAA District VI  3A Playoffs

#4 Westmont Hilltoppers (2-3) vs Central Dragons (6-0)

At Hollidaysburg

@WestySports @CentralDragonFB

Friday October 23, 2020

By Greg Ricupero Twitter @GregoryRicupero

When you are a one dimensional team , you can’t make a lot of mistakes.

Westmont’s DNA is to run the ball, run the ball and run the ball. When it works they control the clock, don’t allow the opposition’s offense on the field , wear them down and score. This year the Hilltoppers have struggled, they scored 1 touchdown or less in every game but one. When your offense doesn’t score you need to win on defense and special teams. The Hilltoppers didn’t win either tonight. Central came into the game with a balanced offense .  They have scored at least 25 points every week. Their defense was allowing only 14.6 points per game.

Central took the opening kickoff and decided to play keep a way themselves.

Both teams appeared nervous as the first two plays were five yard penalties, one on each team. Starting at their own 26 they drove into Westmont territory using nearly eight minutes of the first quarter. The Dragons used a short passing game and inside running to overcome two fourth and one conversions and a third and sixteen. Gavin Hockenberry intercepted a Central pass and took it back to his own 47 to end the Dragon drive. (See my video Twitter)

Westmont now went on one of their time consuming drives chewing up the first quarter clock. The Hilltoppers block off a big run that would have made it first and ten inside the 15, but it was called back due to a blocking below the waist penalty. The drive stalled and on 4th and 24 from the Dragon 40 they punted. The result was a three yard punt the first of several special teams errors for Westmont.

The Dragons took exactly two minutes to cover the 63 yards and score. After a couple pass plays worked the ball into Hilltoppers territory, junior running back Parker Gregg rambled 35 yards for the games first score. The Dragons had been spreading out Westmont’s defense with four wideouts. The kick was wide but Cental led 6-0.

Westmont would give the ball right back to Central after a three and out netted only six yards. This punt netted only sixteen yards. The Dragons second scoring drive covered 53 yards and was helped by a face mask penalty. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Hoenstine who looked real good all night capped the drive with a two yard run. The Dragons were up 12-0.

Westmont had only 2 minutes and 20 seconds to go 66 yards. The Hilltoppers don’t score quickly. But to their credit they drove to the Dragon 26 with seconds to go in the half. They then decided on a 43 yard field goal attempt. Senior kicker David Assad’s kick was short and Hoenstine raced thru and around every Hilltopper for a 97 yard missed field goal return. (See my video Twitter) However it was called back on a penalty and the half ended. Westmont breathed a sigh of relief.

The second half started with another Westmont special teams miscue as they fumbled the kickoff return. Dragon junior Josh Biesinger recovered at the Westmont 34. Central wasted no time moving inside the Hilltoppers ten. That’s when sophomore Hockenberry made his second big defensive play of the game. He stopped a Dragon runner going in for a touchdown, stripped the ball and recovered at the Westmont one. (See my video Twitter)

Westmont then went on a 55 yard drive but were stopped on a fourth and three from the Dragon 44. The drive chewed up over half the third quarter. The Hilltoppers defense held thanks to a bad snap and they got the ball back at their own 14 with just under two minutes to play in the third.

Westmont now knew they were running out of time and decided to try a few passes after picking up a first down. The result was an intentional grounding penalty and fourth and 20 from their own 14. The special teams let Westmont down again as the punt was blocked and returned to the Hilltoppers 14. The next play Hoenstine scored his second touchdown of the game and it was 18-0.

Westmont’s next drive ended with an interception by senior safety Demetrious Harbaugh. I expected the Dragons to try and run out the clock. But Hoenstine’s first play from his own 20 was a short pass. Two plays later Hoenstine ran the read option to perfection and raced 73 yards for his third touchdown of the game. Central finally made a conversion when Austin Keith kicked the point after.

Westmont would finally give it’s fans something to cheer about driving 60 yards in just under five minutes to score. Running back Roy Dunn raced around the left end for the Hilltoppers lone score. The Dragons then ran out the clock and will move on to the D6 3A Championship Game next Saturday.

Game Notes

#1-Hollidaysburg did a great job hosting the game and keeping everyone safe. Thank You!

#2-It was the first game this year that I got to watch both bands. The two bands were very good.

Players of the Game-Both Sophomores

Central- Jeff Hoenstine did an unbelievable job running the offense both running and passing.

Westmont-Gavin Hockenberry has an eye for the ball. A great play on the goal line.

W-0-0-0-7=7

C-0-12-0-13=25

C-Parker Gregg 35 run xp failed (0-6)

C-Jeff Hoenstine 2 run 2pts pass failed (0-12) video my Twitter

C-Hoenstine 14 run 2pts pass failed (0-18)

C-Hoenstine 73 run xp Austin Keith (0-25)

W- Roy Dunn 12 run xp David Assad (7-25) video my Twitter

Other D6 Playoff scores

1A #9 Purchase Line 57  #8 West Shamokin 35

2A #1 Bellwood-Antis 35 #8 Bald Eagle 21

2A #7 Cambria Heights forfeit victory over #2 South Huntingdon

6A Championship #2 Altoona 21 #1 State College 20

Central will play winner of tonight’s Penn Cambria @ Tyrone game for D6 3A

Championship next Saturday 10/31 at Mansion Park in Altoona.

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