Photo by Kathy Reed
HERSHEY – Cool under pressure!
The legacy to this year’s magical MIfflin County football run just added another chapter as the Huskies clinched a nail biting win Friday night over Hershey 24-20.
With the last second victory, the Huskies punched their ticket to the post season and a potential first round rematch with Altoona.
Running back Deakon Schaeffer and his offensive line led the way for the Huskies on offense, grounded out just yards from a 200-yard rushing effort.
Quarterback Landen Eichhorn had it going through the air, throwing for 190 yards, 80 of which went to receiver Isaac Wilson and 77 from teammate Josiah Sechler.
The drama came in the fourth quarter as the Huskies took a 17-7 lead.
Hershey cut the contest to a 3-point deficit when they rolled down the field as Marcus Sweeney scored when he brought down a 14-yard hook up from quarterback Daniel Painter. The MIfflin County defense gave their fans something to cheer about, blocking the extra point at the 9:11 mark.
However, the Trojans trailed the Huskies 17-13.
After holding MIfflin County on their next possession, Hershey took the lead for the first time in the contest.
Sweeney again got the nod as he took the hand off and scored on a 14-yard run with the PAT, Hershey led 20-17.
But the Huskies were not going to go home empty handed on this night as they refused to lose.
The Huskies rolled down the field with five minutes left and were able to score and take valuable time off the clock in the process as well.
Mifflin County finished off its crucial scoring drive with a 22-yard scamper by Schaeffer.
With the Isaac Parks-Gill kick, PAT with just 1:00 remaining in the contest.
In that minute, Hershey was able to push the ball and get it to the Huskies 10.
A little bit on controversy occurred as the game seemed to end there. However, the referees added time for one last play.
For the second time in as many plays, the Huskies took the contest after some tense moments. But when the game concluded, the Huskies defense kept the Trojans out of the end zone, stopping them at the two yard line.
Mifflin County came out strong early on picking up two first quarter touchdowns.
Schaeffer put the “Purple and Black attack” on the scoreboard on a 50-yard scamper and Huskies PAT.
Mifflin County went to the air for the second score when Eichhorn found Sechler for a 72-yard hook up.
The defense would keep the Trojans off the scoreboard in the first half.
In the third, Sweeney would get his team on the board taking a kick off 89 yards.
Mifflin County would get an important field goal in the third by Parks Gill to set up the excitement in the final stanza.
With the win, MIfflin County improved to 5-3 on the year and 3-2 in the Mid-Penn Keystone.