Hollidaysburg spoils Central Mountain Homecoming, 42-13

Justin Neff

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — Tonight was Homecoming Night for Central Mountain football but visiting Hollidaysburg took away much of the fun, running away from the Wildcats for a 42-13 victory.

The Golden Tigers moved to 5-4 with four victories in their last five games, dropping Central Mountain to 3-6, the second lop-sided loss in a row for the Wildcats.

Hollidaysburg scored on all five of its first half possessions with drives of 68, 52, 80, 60 and 65 yards to open up a 35-7 lead and coast home. For the second week in a row Central Mountain had trouble stopping the opposition and had trouble moving the football.

The Wildcats were held to 234 yards, again much of it contributed by quarterback Justin Neff; the Wildcat senior picked up 143 yards rushing on 16 carries, one of which resulted in a touchdown, a highlight reel 77-yard run. He also completed 10 of 14 passes for 72 yards, sophomore wideout Zach Eck with a season high six receptions for 35 yards. Central Mountain’s first score came on a Mahlik Houtz one yard run in period two, cutting the score at that point to 21-7 the visitors. But Hollidaysburg put up two quick touchdowns towards the end of the half and never looked back.

The loss likely means Central Mountain, with its 3-6 log, won’t make the District 6 Class 5A playoffs, the Hollidaysburg win assuring the Golden Tigers will. All that remains in the regular season for Central Mountain is a final home game Friday night with downriver rival Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs are now 6-3 with tonight’s 28-10 win over Bald Eagle Area (3-6).

The Central Mountain homecoming queen was crowned at halftime. She is Andrea Dawn Motter, daughter of Phillip and Jackie Motter; selected king was Jeffrey Alvarez, son of Peter and Richelle Avarez Edmonston. The game also marked the annual “Pink Out” event, this year the senior class project of Miranda Courter in the fight against breast cancer.