PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals preview capsule: State College vs. Pine-Richland
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Friday, November 23, 2018 | 3:24 PM
PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals
State College (12-1) vs. Pine-Richland (10-2)
7 p.m. Saturday, Altoona’s Mansion Park
Coaches: Matt Lintal, State College; Eric Kasperowicz, Pine-Richland
Winner plays: The winner of St. Joseph’s Prep and Freedom in the PIAA semifinals Nov. 30 or Dec. 1.
PIAA titles: State College 0; Pine-Richland 1 (2017)
How they got here: District 6 champion State College defeated District 2 champion Delaware Valley, 56-19, in the PIAA first round. Pine-Richland beat Seneca Valley, 34-17, in the WPIAL championship game Saturday.
Statistical leaders
Passing: SC: Tommy Friberg, 124-184, 2,002 yards, 23 TDs, 9 INTs; PR: Cole Spencer, 112-183, 1,342 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: SC: Dresyn Green, 92-929 yards, 11 TDs; PR: Luke Meckler, 149-1,253 yards, 18 TDs
Receiving: SC: Cohen Russell, 36-795 yards, 9 TDs; PR: Luke Miller, 23-325 yards, 3 TDs
Notable: Pine-Richland defeated State College, 28-7, in the PIAA quarterfinals last season en route to a PIAA championship. Spencer’s debut season as the starting quarterback has gone well. He has thrown for 1,342 yards and 13 scores and also run for 687 yards and 13 touchdowns. He shined in the WPIAL title game, throwing for 158 yards and two touchdowns and running for 95 yards and two more scores. The Rams defense also stood out against Seneca Valley, as Caden Schweiger, Anthony Cerminara and Meckler all had interceptions. … State College played in the 2009 state championship game and lost 24-7 to LaSalle College. The State College passing attack has been potent this season, led by Friberg under center. In addition to Russell, Keaton Ellis has added 45 catches for 677 yards and 14 scores. Against Delaware Valley, Green returned two kickoffs for scores, and Ellis added a 75-yard kick return for a touchdown. Kevin Kurzinger also returned an interception for a touchdown, and Tyson Brennan recovered a fumble in the end zone for another TD.
Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bhartlep@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribHSInsider.
Tags: Pine-Richland
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