ALTOONA —
As the final seconds wound down on the Mansion Park scoreboard clock, some of Greater Johnstown’s starters gathered two coolers, one filled with Gatorade and the other with ice water.
Those first-team players skillfully doused first-year head coach Tony Penna Jr. and defensive coordinator Neil Cobaugh in what amounted to a double victory shower.
What those players and their teammates did earlier in Friday’s game led to the celebration as the back-up unit moved the ball within sight of the goal line before taking knees on two consecutive series.
As has been their trademark much of the season, the Trojans turned to the big play
– sometimes the simply amazing play – in Johnstown’s 49-8 victory over Bellefonte in the District 6 Class AAA title game.
The Trojans successfully defended their district crown while improving to 10-1.
Bellefonte closed a 7-4 season.
“This is a great feeling to be a District 6 champion as a starting quarterback,” said junior Gervon Simon, who completed 15 of 18 passes for 303 yards and five touchdowns. “We came out on fire. Our receivers made the plays. I have a small injury and it was kind of hard to throw the ball. I knew if I just threw the ball up to my receivers they would make the plays. I had five touchdowns to five different receivers. That says a lot about the team.”
The Trojans will face undefeated Clearfield (11-0) in the District 6-9 Class AAA sub-regional next week at a site to be determined.
Johnstown used its quickness and athleticism to build a 34-0 halftime advantage.
Simon completed 13 of 16 first-half passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns.
The Trojans won jump balls for three of the touchdowns against solid defensive coverage.
Factor in 128 net rushing yards and the Trojans piled up 374 total yards in the first half.
“The kids just came out and made plays,” Penna said. “That’s just what these kids do.
“They’re so resilient. They’re a great bunch of kids. They come to work every day.”
Simon and Daquan Minter teamed on a 28-yard touchdown pass that set a 6-0 first-quarter score.
The Trojans offense took control in the second quarter.
Alkwan Williams outreached a defender and made a one-handed grab in the end zone from 10 yards out to make it 12-0.
“Bellefonte did a good job of defending us,” Penna said. “It’s just that we have some really amazing athletes.
“We always tell Gervon to get it near them and let them make the plays. The kids went up and made the plays.
“We took what they gave us. Our running game was on. Our offensive line did a great job.”
Calvin Anderson’s 19-yard touchdown reception and Marc Watson’s conversion run out of the wildcat made it 20-0.
Dwight Andrews caught an
8-yard touchdown pass by out jumping a defender. Tim Odum’s conversion run made it 28-0.
“They were just ridiculous,” Simon said, appreciating the head-turning plays made by his receivers. “I don’t see any other team in the state that has as many talented receivers as we do. We have a lot of talent on this team and a lot of them are receivers. I just throw the ball up to let them make the plays.
“They make my stats. They make our team.”
Watson’s 51-yard interception return set up Shon Brantley’s
3-yard run that closed the first-half scoring.
“It’s D6 and we wanted it so bad,” said 6-foot-4, 314-pound two-way lineman Brock Eisenhuth of the second-quarter momentum. “We worked hard all week. We never quit. It’s a good feeling inside.”
Bellefonte opened the second half with Tyler Lucas’ 65-yard touchdown pass to Malik Breon, who broke tackles for the final 32 yards. Travis Struble’s conversion run followed.
Johnstown’s Tyler Arsenault’s 5-yard touchdown run and an Odum conversion answered the Red Raiders’ touchdown. Watson’s 48-yard TD reception and a Michael Brooks extra point put a running clock into motion.
“To their tribute, they’ve got a great football team,” Bellefonte coach Duffy Besch said. “We knew we needed to come out and play a great game. They had big play-makers and they made big plays. I tip my hat to every member of that team because they deserve it.”
Johnstown netted 214 rushing yards on 43 carries, with Simon gaining 61 and Tim Odum, 46.
The Trojans collected 23 first downs.
Defensively, Johnstown limited Bellefonte to eight first downs and 18 net rushing yards.
Johnstown will have to clean up its 13 penalties for 100 yards (Bellefonte also had 11 penalties for 100 yards). But that will certainly be addressed this week.
“We all played well,” Eisenhuth said. “Our offensive line; our defensive line. Our specialists. It’s a great feeling getting that District 6 championship.”
High School Sports
Related Photos
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Greater Johnstown’s Dwight Andrews hauls in a pass as Bellefonte defender Malik Breon tries to break it up. At right is Bellefonte’s Jonas Holderman. Dave Lloyd
Discussion
‘A great feeling’
Greater Johnstown defends district championship
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