Larger text
Smaller text
Altoona snaps 4-game losing streak
• Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy advance to PIAA tennis semifinals
• Thursday’s high school softball photos
• WPIAL track and field championships
• West Mifflin tops Mt. Pleasant for 1st playoff win in 15 years
By Jim Lane
Published: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 12:50 a.m.
Updated: Monday, October 29, 2012
ALTOONA — The Altoona Mountain Lions snapped a four-game losing streak with a 17-14 win over Hempfield in a WPIAL Class AAAA game Friday night at Mansion Park.
Altoona scored all of its points in the first half and held off Hempfield's second-half charge to post its second win in six games.
Hempfield fell to 3-3.
“I'm real proud of our effort,” Hempfield coach Rich Bowen said. “We had eight starters out with injuries and made some mistakes, but we never gave up.”
James Metzgar's 22-yard field goal gave Altoona 3-0 lead late in the first quarter, but Hempfield took a 7-3 advantage on a 3-yard run by Tyler Straka early in the second.
Jake Diviney's 30-yard interception return set up a 2-yard score by Mante Barnes that put the Lions back on top, 10-7.
One minute later, a bad snap on a punt attempt resulted in a 23-yard loss and gave Altoona possession at the Spartans' 4.
Avery Howsare scored on the next play to make it 17-7 at the half.
Hempfield dominated the time of possession in the second half but didn't score until 3:53 remained in the game.
Ty George and Billy Thomas hooked up on a 9-yard TD to cap an 86-yard drive.
The Spartans had one last gasp, getting the ball at their own 12 with 1:01 left, but they ran out of time against the fired-up Altoona defense.
“I'm really happy to finally see some smiling faces around here,” Altoona coach John Franco said.
“It was really good to win a tough game like this.”
Most Popular Football
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
