Shore heads to Class 5A Hollidaysburg
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Jersey Shore (4-3) is trying to beat Hollidaysburg for the first time in three meetings since the series started in 2024. It snapped a three-game losing streak in impressive fashion at DuBois last Friday, winning 28-14 in a game which was more lopsided than the score indicated.
The Bulldogs outgained DuBois, 460-193 and led by 21 late in the fourth quarter. Carter Rhinehart provided a huge lift in his first action in 2 1/2 games. The three-way starter caught nine passes for 125 yards and helped solidify the secondary. Despite missing that time, Rhinehart still is second among area receivers in catches and third in yards. Connor Winters also is having a big season and has 554 yards with seven touchdowns.
Khani McCray caught touchdowns in consecutive games against Shikellamy and Williamsport and picked off two passes against DuBois, continuing his impressive debut season. The offensive and defensive lines controlled the action last week and both quarterback Nolen Pauling and running back Zeke Sechrist going over 100 yards rushing. Pauling is among the state's leaders in total yards at 2,461 yards and Sechrist is excelling on both sides of the ball, making eight tackles for loss the past two games.
Aidan Patts is a junior defensive end who is settling in as the season continues and played his best game at DuBois. Patts compiled a career-high nine tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. He also broke up a pass and provides good blocking as a tight end while adding a reception last week.
Hollidaysburg went 13-1 a year ago, reaching the Class 5A state quarterfinals where it lost to eventual state champion Roman Catholic. The Golden Tigers (4-2), like Jersey Shore, have dealt with costly injuries and Carter Muth, a 2,000-yard running back a year ago, has missed all but a few plays this season. Still, Hollidaysburg remains dangerous and quarterback Vincent Albarano runs an effective offense behind a reliable line.
Albarano is closing in on 1,000 yards passing and is second on the team with 290 yards rushing. Isaac Vent has stepped up with Muth out, running for 509 yards and five touchdowns. Ethan Coke is one of three receivers who has more than 100 yards and caught 20 passes last season. Five players have intercepted passes and Ben Dawson leads the team in tackles, averaging 7.8 per game.
Hollidaysburg has had two weeks to prepare for tonight's game after having last week off. The Tigers defeated Butler, 52-12 in their last game after dropping two of three games with the losses coming against Susquehanna Township and Fort Hill.
Will Padamonsky, a junior defensive end, is having a breakout season for Hollidaysburg an leads the team with seven tackles for loss. Padamonsky intercepted a pass against Butler and has two sacks. He also is among the team's receiving leaders. The tight end has caught 12 passes for 149 yards, hauling in multiple receptions five times.
Jersey Shore traditionally heats up as the season progresses and last week's performance could be an indicator that it is again. This is a tough one, but look for this game to more resemble the thriller these two played in Hollidaysburg two years ago than last year's blowout.