By Jarrod Prugar
For the Mirror
LEWISTOWN – Backed by Bron Mosley’s 4-touchdown night, the Altoona Mountain Lions defeated Mifflin County, 26-8, at Mitchell Field on Friday night in the District 6 Class 6A semifinals.
It wasn’t the best start for coach Vince Nedimyer Jr.’s Mountain Lions when Aiden Diehl fumbled in the opener.
“On the road, it’s not the way you want to start the game,” Nedimyer said. “The biggest thing we did was stay early in the game to just be there. … (Diehl) did an amazing job, and he never let up.
Just three plays later, Altoona got the ball back after MJ Harrington’s pass to Mifflin County’s Jaylen Bowersox.
From there, it was all Mosley and Altoona as the Mountain Lions scored just once in the first half en route to an 18-0 halftime lead.
Mosley rushed for 95 yards in the first half and three touchdowns as he passed for Altoona’s 20th touchdown of the season.
“Bron has good vision, good feet, and they pay him off,” Nedimyer said. “I am proud of his efforts. He’s given all the credit to the guys up front, but he’s also got a nose for the finish, so I’m happy for him. “
It was the eighth time Mosley has rushed for 100-plus yards this season and second against Mifflin County.
While Mosley and the offense got the job done and made it look easy at times, the defense did more than its fair share, forcing three Huskies turnovers and holding them to under 150 yards.
Despite the late hit, the outcome wasn’t much in doubt for Altoona, which moves on to face State College in the 6A final next Friday in Hollidaysburg.
Play of the game: Harrington stripped the ball from Bowersox on the Huskies’ third down to set the table for the Lions’ first touchdown.
Player of the game: Mosley rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns.
Unsung heroes: Harrington and Logan Wuckovich. Harrington blanked the Bowersox in the first quarter when he re-entered Mifflin County’s Landen Eichorn later in the first quarter. Wuckovich recovered an Eichorn foul in the second half to help seal the game.
Key stats: In two games against Mifflin County this season, Mosley scored six first downs.
Nedimyer: “This win was great. Winning this game and making it to the district finals are goals that we set at the beginning of the season. We are fortunate to have this opportunity, and we will enjoy it now. Then, prepare for State College on Sunday and Monday and see what happens next Friday night .”
Mifflin County coach Shane Breon: “We’ve created a culture here, where we expect to win every week. I think in two years, we’ve done a lot and these kids had a great season – 11-9 in the regular season.”
Mosley: “We came here and did exactly what we thought we could do. We did a great hike on the line. I was able to take advantage of what my friends gave me. It was a great win, and our guys up front did a great job. “
Notable: Mountain lions tripped twice.
Records: Altoona (5-6); Mifflin County (5-6)
Next week: Altoona vs. State College in the District 6 6A final Friday at Hollidaysburg’s Tiger Stadium.
THE SCORE IS OVER
Altoona 7 12 0 7 – 26
Mifflin County 0 0 0 8 – 8
Part One
A–Mosley 1 run (Harrington kick), 5:11
Part Two
A’s run–Mosley 7 (kick failed), 11:05
A–Mosley 4 run (run failed), :33
The fourth part
A–Mosley 5 run (Chatham kick), 9:44
MC-Kearns 7 pass from Eichorn (Reed pass from Eichorn), 7:30
MC TEAM LOCATION
Total 263 149 yards
Rushing-yards 45-220 18-59
43 90 passing yards
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 1-3-0 16-30-1
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2
Penalties-5-60 yards 11-70
ALL CALCULATIONS
RUSHING–Altoona, Mosley 26-127, Treece 4-54, Davis 7-30, Freiwald 1-2, Emeigh-Ballos 5-2, Jones 2-5, LaRocco 2-2. Mifflin County, Eichorn 5-41, Heygh 1-0, Schaeffer 12-18.
PASSING–Altoona, Freiwald 1-3-0-43, Mifflin County, Eichhorn 16-30-1-90.
RECEPTION–Altoona, Corso 1-43. Mifflin County, Kearns 6-19, Reed 1-15, Heygh 4-32, Bowersox 3-24, Schaeffer 2-9.