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Huskies capture fifth straight

GREENCASTLE — The playoff scenario was simple for Mifflin County on Friday night an Altoona loss to State College would vault the Huskies to the District 6 6A title game for the first time since 2013.

Still on the line, and in the hands of Mifflin County, was a shot at the Colonial Division title.

After a sloppy first half by the Huskies allowed Greencastle-Antrim to hang around, a dominant second half was all that Mifflin County needed. The Huskies dominated the Blue Devils on the ground with 277 rushing yards in a 33-14 win.

“We said at halftime that we have to come out and make a statement and I thought we did that,” Mifflin County coach Scot Sechler said. “We came out in our heavy set right away. A long kick return helped out. We got up-tempo and tried to wear them down some. I’ve got to give the credit to the line.”

That, and the Little Lions put away Altoona, setting up a second meeting at the end of the season between the teams on either side of Seven Mountains.

Mifflin County (5-4, 3-1 Mid-Penn Colonial) led just 12-8 at halftime, but a 67-yard kick return by Zach Bickhart to open the second half gave the Huskies the spark they needed offensively. The Huskies scored on the next play as Nathan Poche churned forward for a 13-yard touchdown to extend Mifflin County’s lead. Jacob Krepps’ pass was completed for a 2-point conversion to give the Huskies a 20-8 lead.

They never looked back.

When it mattered the most, the Huskies relied on their star tandem of senior fullback Poche and running back Gage Schaeffer, as the two combined for 231 yards and four scores on the ground. Schaeffer had 145 yards, including a 31-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

“Our line did an incredible job tonight,” Schaeffer said. “Our slotbacks and receivers did everything they had to, blocked really well and made some holes. I love being a part of this team. Everyone works together and all that work is paying off.”

Schaeffer ran for 46 yards on Mifflin County’s first drive while Poche punched in three rushing touchdowns in the second half.

“We felt like in the first half our energy wasn’t there, and we weren’t moving the ball well,” Poche said. “We knew with our heavy formation that we could work hard and get everyone moving forward and that’s what we did.”

Greencastle (2-6, 0-6) fought in the third quarter, answering Poche’s opening touchdown in the third quarter, using a muffed punt by Mifflin County to set up at the Huskies’ 30-yard line. Quarterback Max McDowell made Mifflin County pay, scampering up the middle for a 13-yard rushing touchdown to bring Greencastle within six, 20-14 with 6:09 left in the third.

It was all Poche from there. His last two scores increased the Husky lead, as Mifflin County controlled possession in the second half, running out the clock and ending the Blue Devils’ chance of a comeback.

With the win, Mifflin County improved its winning streak to five games, the longest winning streak in school history. Mifflin County previously had runs of four games in 2011 and 2013.

“Coming into the season that really wasn’t a goal,” Sechler said. “Before the game I told them that they had a rare opportunity to cease that. We are not focused on that, we want to win each game and hopefully next week we can come out hard and win the league.”

The Huskies will play Mid-Penn Colonial foe West Perry (7-2, 3-2) for a chance to win its first league title in school history.

“It’s truly amazing to be in the situation that we are in,” Poche said. “We set some goals in the beginning but knowing that we have a chance to succeed and accomplish those goals — we’re so happy to be here and all the hard work is paying off.”

Following the matchup with West Perry, the Huskies will head back to State College (8-1, 3-1 Mid Penn Commonwealth) for the District 6 6A title game. Mifflin County lost to State College 35-12 earlier this season.

“We’re so excited to be in this position,” Sechler said. “We’re very thankful for our administration. I’m thankful for my coaches. Those guys do a great job and the effort they put into it and the hours upon hours of film and preparation is great. I’m blessed to be here as a head coach and I’m loving it.”

Mifflin County hosts West Perry on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Mitchell Field.

Mifflin County 33, Greencastle-Antrim 14

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Mifflin County 6 6 14 7–33

Greencastle-Antrim 0 8 6 0–14

First Quarter

MC–Gage Schaeffer 31 run (James Xanthopoulos kick fail), 6:02.

Second Quarter

G– Wesley Medina 1 run (McDowell run), 9:37.

Third Quarter

MC– Nathan Poche 13 run (Isaiah Collins pass from Jake Krepps), 11:43.

G– Max McDowell 13 run (McDowell pass failed), 9:35.

MC — Poche 3 run (Krepps pass failed), 6:09.

Fourth Quarter

MC– Poche 4 run (Xanthopoulos kick), 6:26.

TEAM STATISTICS

MC G

First downs 16 7

Total yards 339 186

Rushes-yards 52-277 32-126

Yards passing 62 60

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 5-10-0 4-13-1

Punts-avg. 2-32.5 4-38.5

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0

Penalties-yards 5-24 2-20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: MC– Schaeffer 19-145, Poche 16-86, Brock Capouillez 3-20, Noah Wright 3-16, Trey Kibe 2-11, Wyatt Henry 1-5, Taytdum Fortson 1-3, Brodie Kenepp 2-(-2), Evan Boyer 1-(-2), Brian Smink4-(-5); G– McDowell 10-47, Medina 8-38, Ryan Marconi 2-15, Ethan Murr 5-14, Isaiah Toney-Mayhugh 5-13, Thomas Hebert 1-(-2).

PASSING: MC– Wright 4-9-0-54, Krepps 1-1-0-8; G– McDowell 4-12-1, Murr 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: MC– Julian Jackson 3-34, Henry 1-20,Tom Bender 1-8; G– Murr 1-36, Antwoine Carter 1-18, Hebert 1-6, Nick Barnes 1-0.

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