ALTOONA, Pa. — It took nearly every second the game had to offer, but Peters Township outlasted a late-rally by Cocalico to advance to the PIAA Class-5A state championship game with a 14-9 win at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona on Friday night.
A late fumble by the uber-reliable Vinny Sarcone gave the Eagles the ball back with just 1:39 left in the game, trailing by five. It was then the Indians defense did what it’s done all year: stepped up. Peters Township had entered the night allowing only a paltry 8.14 points per game and did everything possible to keep Cocalico from reaching the endzone a second time in the waning seconds of the game.
It was sophomore quarterback Nolan Dilucia who helped put Peters Township in front in the second quarter with two touchdown passes. His first one was a 24-yard pitch and catch to senior wide receiver Carter Shanafelt while his second one found Thomas Aspinwall for a 15-yard touchdown to give the Indians a 14-3 lead at the half.
Cocalico would find the endzone in the third quarter by way of a Josh Myer 25-yard touchdown run, but a failed two-point conversion kept them at nine points.
From there it was a back and forth affair with both teams committing a multitude of penalties, but some uncharacteristic mistakes from Peters Township kept the Indians from putting the Eagles away for good.
Despite the late mistakes which included a blocked punt by Cocalico’s Logan Brubaker, the Sarcone fumble and penalties, the Indians outlasted the Eagles to advance to their first PIAA 5A State Championship Game next weekend.
The Indians will face Imhotep Charter from Philadelphia in the state title game, which will be held at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School on next Friday, Dec. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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