By Michael Boytim

mboytim@altoonamirror.com

Hollidaysburg is off to its best start since 1999, but the Golden Tigers’ next opponent might be their best to date — Fort Hill out of Maryland, a team they are 0-7 against the past eight years.

“They are one of the best programs in Maryland,” Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said. “We talk about it every year. They have won eight of the last 11 state titles in their classification, and they are definitely as good or better than they have been in past years. We’re getting closer. We have had competitive games against them the last few years.”

Fort Hill won last year’s game 38-21, and this year Hollidaysburg will be making the trip to Maryland for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday.

“Special teams mistakes were a big issue for us last year,” DeLattre said. “It gave them two scores, so special teams will be a huge factor in the game. We have a good kicker, and our special teams have been pretty strong so far this year.”

That kicker is senior Paul Wedel, who played a huge role in keeping Hollidaysburg undefeated in last week’s win over Mifflinburg.

Wedel kicked a 33-yard field goal that put Mifflinburg in position to need eight points to tie the game and then booted a 49-yard punt to the Wildcats 2 that put them 98 yards away from a tying score with 5:35 to play.

“We have had some great kickers in the past,” DeLattre said. “Paul is maybe one of the best ones we have had in a long time. He’s definitely a weapon and works as hard as anyone does at practice. In games like this, it can be a huge factor.”

He also had a touchback on each of his kickoffs in the game.

“It’s a huge value,” DeLattre said. “When we have the momentum swing of scoring a touchdown, and then he’s able to kick the ball in the end zone for a touchback, it keeps momentum on our side for defense.”

Prior to the start of the school year, Wedel, who also starred for the Golden Tigers as a pitcher during their run to the state championship game last year, had to make a decision that would force him to miss either his senior football or baseball season.

“He was getting some good looks this summer and did a lot of camps,” DeLattre said. “Unfortunately he suffered a shoulder injury this summer and had to make a decision on what to do. He decided to play football and get that taken care of at the end of the season, so I think it will pay off. He has a walk-on opportunity at Saint Francis currently, and he’s in the running for some other scholarship spots.”

For Friday’s game to come down to special teams, Hollidaysburg will need a solid defensive effort against Fort Hill running back Jabril Daniels, who has rushed for 410 yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries in three games this year.

“We will have to try and limit the big play as much as we can,” DeLattre said. “They have a great running back in Jabril Daniels, who is ranked as one of the top 25 players in the whole state. He will be a focal point for us.”

SUBHED: Looking for positives

Altoona’s schedule got even harder than usual prior to the start of this season when the Mid-Penn Conference added two more conference games to each team’s schedule and the Lions got Cedar Cliff and Friday’s opponent — Bishop McDevitt.

“We used to play against them years ago, and they haven’t fallen off much from what they used to be in years past,” Altoona coach Vince Nedimyer Jr. said. “They are well coached, have some good skill players and we expect they will play at a high level. We’re going to do everything we can to match it.”

That’s been a challenge so far for the 0-5 Mountain Lions, but Nedimyer said the approach hasn’t changed in practice.

“Same thing we look for every week,” Nedimyer said. “Our kids have come back every week, and that’s a credit to them. We’re proud of the effort they put in every week. That’s our expectation that they keep coming back ready to work.”

Altoona has been shut out in three of its five games and has only scored 20 points this season.

“We have moved the ball, but turnovers have been rough for us and penalties offensively,” Nedimyer said. “Those have been the two things that have really been a crutch for us. But we have grown as a team. The kids are playing for one another, and that’s something that we have stressed all summer long. I’m proud they continue to do that for one another.”

SUBHED: Big ICC game

Not many people would have predicted Friday’s Glendale at Mount Union game to have major implications in the Inter-County Conference standings prior to the season with the Trojans expected to rebuild after the graduation of quarterback Bryce Danish and the Vikings missing the postseason last year.

But the teams enter this week’s game both at 4-1 with both teams’ only loss coming against Moshannon Valley.

“Mount Union is a playoff-caliber type team,” Glendale coach Dave “Spank” Trexler said. “They have great team speed and play very physical. Josh Ryan is one the best players in the area on both sides of the ball. Nasir Collins can score from any place on the field. They are fundamentally sound and very well coached.”

A year ago, Mount Union won this matchup 41-0. Trexler is interested to see how far his Vikings have come since that game.

“To take another step up this week, we need to be deliberate in our approach with preparation, and then play a mistake free game, tackle well, and create opportunities for our athletes to make plays,” Trexler said. “Traveling to their home field makes it even more of a difficult challenge, but also a great opportunity for us to see if we can rise to their level.”

Last year’s loss to Mount Union left Glendale at 1-5, but this year’s team is currently the No. 2 seed in the District 6 Class 1A playoff field behind only Bishop Guilfoyle Academy.

“While we have had some success and it is nice for the players to see the community support, there is something different with this group,” Trexler said. “They are not satisfied and are focused on the big picture.”

Trexler is hoping to keep the good vibes up down the final stretch of the season.

“Keeping their focus and being creative in our approach will be key if we want to keep gaining momentum each week,” Trexler said. “As you get to the last half of the season, and attempt to advance, little things become more magnified and of greater importance. Protecting the football and eliminating unforced errors are always a goal and will be even more vital.”