NANTY GLO — Blacklick Valley’s first home playoff win in school history had Vikings coach Bill Zamboni reminiscing.
“The last time I was ever in a situation like this was when my son played in 1986 and they beat Laurel Valley down in Indiana for our only playoff win,” Zamboni said after this year’s Vikings beat visiting Glendale 33-6 in the District 6 Class A playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
“I happened to be a father in that game,” added Zamboni, who was on then head coach Paul Shandor’s staff in 1986, and his son played quarterback. “Then we lost the District 6 championship to Juniata Valley
(2-0) in Hollidaysburg.
“So, this is definitely the proudest moment I ever had.”
Seventh-seeded Blacklick won its eighth straight game after opening the season 0-2. The Vikings will travel to second-seeded Bellwood-Antis next week in the 6-A playoffs.
The host Vikings fell in an early hole against 6-4 Glendale, whose nickname also is the Vikings.
No. 10 Glendale moved 77 yards in 13 plays and chewed up 5 minutes, 18 seconds of clock on its first drive.
Quarterback Tyler Jenny finished the march with a 1-yard bolt into the end zone at 4:38 of the first.
“We came out of the gate and were able to put a nice drive together,” Glendale coach Rick Kozak said.
“We converted a couple times on some third downs. We were able to get it in the end zone. I thought we were out to a great start. To their credit they came out and matched it and kept going.”
Blacklick answered with a 12-play, 68-yard drive capped by Ted Worthington’s 1-yard run on the second play of the second quarter. The game was tied at 6.
Behind the dual running threat of Brendan Julock (20 carries, 151 yards) and Worthington (19-90) the home team took control.
Quarterback Victor Manda scored three straight touchdowns on runs of 1, 1 and 17 yards as Blacklick built a 27-6 advantage through three quarters.
Zamboni’s defense also was rock solid. After Glendale’s early scoring drive, Blacklick forced six Glendale punts, stopped another drive on fourth down and ended one possession after Worthington stepped in front of a Jenny pass and returned it 40 yards for the final touchdown late in the game.
“I knew that they could score some points,” Zamboni said.
“Last week they scored
49 against Tussey Mountain, a very good team. (After the first touchdown) I thought, don’t tell me we’re going to be in a shootout because we’ve been playing excellent defense.
“Ron Rhoades, my defensive coordinator made the adjustments and we shut them down. We became more physical than they were.”
The road will be more difficult next week. Bellwood is a traditional district power and one of the top teams in the state.
“When you talk about the (top-seed) McCorts, the (third seed) Portages and the Bellwoods, you can list any one of the three in whatever order you want to,” Zamboni said of 6-A’s top seeds.
“We have the opportunity to play the elite. If you want to become the elite you have to play the elite.”
High School Sports
Blacklick Valley captures first home playoff win
- High School Sports
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Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Young takes silver in state triple jump
Chestnut Ridge senior Michael Young capped six years of triple jumping with a silver medal Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Young had a career-best leap of 45-9¼ just behind Jared Horne of Schuylkill Valley whose winning jump was 46-9. -
Forest Hills’ Smay places fifth in Class AA long jump
Brooke Smay is moving on up.
The Forest Hills junior earned a fifth-place position in the Class AA long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 3 ½ inches Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
Bishop McCort wins District 6-A baseball crown
Bishop McCort truly won the District 6 Class A baseball championship as a team on Friday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
There were more than a few huge plays. Of course a number of individuals stepped up to secure a 3-1 victory over LHAC rival Bishop Guilfoyle. -
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Hollidaysburg pitcher Dom Viduya and his Golden Tigers teammates beat defending champion Somerset 3-1 in Thursday’s District 6 Class AAA championship game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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Pitcher's 'bad day' results in no-hitter
Bridgit Yothers struggled on the mound on Thursday.
But the Chestnut Ridge right-hander was able to persevere through her issues, throwing a no-hitter against Bedford in their District 5 Class AA semifinal and helping the Lions to a 5-0 victory. -
Local athletes look to shine at PIAA track and field meet
Each of the nearly 50 area athletes who will be competing at this weekend’s PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University, will be looking for his or her best performance of the season, but only the top eight finishers in each event for both boys and girls will stand on the podium in front of the crowd at Seth Grove Stadium.
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Westmont, Somerset represented at PIAA Class AA tennis tourney
The PIAA Class AA tennis tournament showcases the top players in the state, which includes three area athletes, when it begins today at the Hershey Racquet Club.
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Corridini’s hit propels Shade
Tasha Corridini had been having a tough time at the plate on Wednesday.
The Shade leftfielder had struck out twice in her prior two at-bats against Shanksville-Stonycreek pitcher Kayla Stockenus.
But in the bottom of the seventh of a scoreless game with Kaily Karl on first, Corridini clubbed a triple out to the fence, scoring Karl and giving the Panthers a walk-off 1-0 win over the Vikings in a District 5 Class A softball quarterfinal. - More High School Sports Headlines
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