Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKER
Mifflin County Tomahawks running back Harry Lowber (00) hurdles Moshannon Valley defensive back Sean Steve, attempting a tackle, during a GEFA playoff football game Saturday in Lewistown.

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County Tomahawks coach Brian Rodgers knew his team had to play mistake-free football to beat Moshannon Valley and move on to a third straight Keystone Bowl appearance. Instead, the Tomahawks gave the Vikings a gift with a huge bow on top.

Mifflin County turned the ball over 10 times, leading to four Moshannon Valley touchdowns, while committing 10 penalties in a crushing 33-20 defeat in the semifinals of the Great Eastern Football Association playoffs at rain-soaked Rec Park on Saturday evening.

“That’s the game right there. We talked about how we had to play a mistake-free game and we ended up having our worst offensive performance of the season,” Rodgers said. “I don’t know what happened. Their defense didn’t even look good. We made too many mistakes and shot ourselves in the foot all game long.”

In a series of ‘you’ve got to be kidding me’ moments, the Tomahawks fumbled three times in the end zone — all leading to Vikings touchdowns. Mifflin County made it easy for Moshannon Valley with six fumbles and four interceptions.

The tough day started in the first series for Mifflin County. With a first-and-10 at the Viking 12, Moshannon Valley corner Malik Breon jumped a slant route and took it the distance for a 40-yard pick six and a 7-0 Vikings lead. Breon finished the game with four tackles and four interceptions.

“I tried to bait the quarterback into thinking we were in man coverage, but we were in a zone. I saw the receiver running the slant and I stepped in front for the touchdown,” Breon said. “It was so surreal to have that happen. It changed the outcome of the game and had them back on their heels the rest of the way.”

That problem was only beginning for the Tomahawks. On the very next series, Stevie Eisenhuth recovered a Mifflin County fumble and took it two yards in for the score and a 13-0 lead eight minutes into the contest.

Another recovered fumble in the end zone by the Vikings early in the second quarter made it 21-0 before the Tomahawks finally got on the board with a safety. Despite all the self-inflicted wounds, Mifflin County got back in the game when quarterback Leshawn Brown connected with Jordan Bell on a six-yard scoring toss to end the first half down 21-8.

The defense kept Mifflin County in the game, holding Moshannon Valley to just 79 total yards and only one offensive touchdown.

“Our defense played a gem of a game. To be honest, except for the one jump ball catch in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t do anything against our defense,” Rodgers said. “The dagger for us was the long pass. They scored after that and it put the game out of reach.”

The play in question was a 32-yard pass from Shane Scott to Sean Steve, giving the Vikings a first-and-goal at the Tomahawks’ 2-yard line. Two plays later, fullback Forest Adams bulled up the middle for the score to make it 27-8.

Mifflin County fought back with a second Brown-to-Bell touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-14. But the self-destruction continued late in the fourth when Moshannon Valley linebacker Chad McHenry recovered another Tomahawk fumble in the end zone to give the Vikings an insurmountable 33-14 advantage with just over two minutes to go in the game.

The never-say-die Tomahawks mounted another drive and struck gold once again when Brown threw his second touchdown, this one a five-yarder to Timmy Beck. Mifflin County, down 33-20, failed on an onside kick attempt and the Vikings ran out the clock for the victory.

“I haven’t wrapped my head around this yet. Mount Joy is a great team and we will have our hands full,” Breon said. “We all believed we could do it. Now, we get to play in the Keystone Bowl on our home field. That is awesome. It’s exciting and a great moment for this young team.”

Brown, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, played in his last game as a Tomahawk. He leaves after five years as the all-time leading passer in GEFA history. During his tenure as starting quarterback, Brown led Mifflin County to the playoffs four times and twice to the Keystone Bowl.

“It was a great ride. I want to thank Brian Rodgers for all he did for me. It was during my second year, he gave me control of the offense and everything took off from there,” Brown said. “I have great memories here. I want to thank all my teammates. We went to two Keystone Bowls and even though we came up short, it was a great experience. I enjoyed my time here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Mifflin County ends its season at 8-3. Moshannon Valley (9-2) advances to the championship game for the first time in team history where they will face the three-time Keystone Bowl champion Mount Joy (12-0).