MANDATA - It wasn't the prettiest win ever, but at this point Line Mountain needed a win, and the Eagles got a much needed one.
Sophomore tailback Kenny Boyer carried the ball 28 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns, and Line Mountain's defensive front batted down more than a half-dozen passes as the Eagles defeated Halifax 24-6 in a Tri-Valley League homecoming game Saturday at Eagle Stadium.
The win improved Line Mountain's record to 2-4 and kept them in the hunt for a District Four Class A playoff spot. Halifax dropped to 1-5.
Boyer scored on runs of four yards, 18 yards and one yard, and the Eagles dominated time of possession.
Unfortunately, they still had problems. They fumbled the ball six times, and although they only lost one, they were also in the Halifax red zone twice without scoring and also gave the ball up two other times after starting possessions on the Wildcats' side of the field. Line Mountain also was penalized eight times for 92 yards.
"It was our typical second-half blunders," Line Mountain coach Rodney Knock said. "It's been like that all season and I'm not sure why. But this puts us back in the hunt for playoffs. There's still a chance the way District Four is this year, but we have a big game next week with Upper Dauphin. They had a good win last night (Friday)."
The Eagles' front line harassed Halifax quarterback Mason Erdman all game. They only sacked him once but continually batted down balls.
"We want to try to get pressure on the quarterback every game and we have some guys with some good size up there," Knock said. "They were going in there strong and with their hands up."
Line Mountain had a 60-yard touchdown by quarterback Ryan Reed called back on the first play from scrimmage for a hold, but drove the same distance in 11 plays with Boyer scoring on a four-yard run with 6:39 left in the first quarter.
Halifax cut the lead on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Erdman to Eric Johnston, but a 46-yard kick return by Cameron Newman set up a 26-yard field goal by Brent Osman.
An interception by Brendan Renn set up an 18-yard touchdown run by Boyer and a fumble recovery early in the second half set up Boyer's third touchdown, a one-yard run.
Game Summary
Halifax 0 6 0 0 - 6
Line Mtn. 7 10 7 0 - 24
LM - Kenny Boyer, 4 run (Brent Osman kick)
H - Eric Johnston, 45 pass from Mason Erdman (kick blocked)
LM - Osman, 26 field goal
LM - Boyer, 18 run (Osman kick)
LM - Boyer, 1 run (Osman kick)
H LM
First downs 6 15
Rushes-Yards 18-56 54-222
Passes 7-22-1 5-13-1
Passing Yards 84 57
Total Yards 140 279
Fumbles-Lost 5-2 6-1
Penalties 10-77 8-92
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Halifax - Jacon Paul 9-35, Johnston 5-13, Alex Berzowski 1-8, Erdman 3-0. Line Mountain - Kenny Boyer 28-133, 3 TDs; Ryan Reed 15-52, Hunter Hojnacki 5-25, Tyler Boyer 2-11, Cam Newman 1-(-1), Curt Mace 1-(-1), Gary Laudenslager 1-2, Osman 1-(-1).
PASSING: Halifax - Erdman 7-22-1, 84 yds., 1 TD. Line Mountain - Reed 5-13-1, 57 yds.
RECEIVING: Halifax - Johnston 3-52, 1 TD; Eric McBurney 2-25, Paul 2-7. Line Mountain - Boyer 4-39, Zach Bobb 1-18.
INTERCEPTIONS: Line Mountain - Brendan Renn.