The Mifflin County Tomahawks scored so many points this season that the scoreboard lights barely survived.
During their 10-game Great Eastern Football Association campaign, the Tomahawks scored 480 points, 48.0 per game. Mifflin County finished 6-4 and earned the No. 7 seed for today’s playoff opener.
In their season finale, the Tomahawks faced the second-seeded Moshannon Valley Vikings (9-1), the GEFA champions. Mifflin County lost 36-32 against Moshannon Valley when Tim Beck’s game-winning touchdown reception was ruled out of bounds.
“Last week, we had four trips inside the 10 and didn’t score,” Tomahawks head coach Brian Rodgers said. “You can’t win ballgames like that.”
Moshannon Valley led Mifflin County with 51.9 points per game.
Weekend rematch with Vikings for Tomahawks. 7 p.m. kickoff.
Eight GEFA teams made the playoffs. Mifflin County plays Moshannon Valley in the Mountain Conference playoffs, while No. 6 Williamsport Wildcats (6-4) meet No. 3 Bedford County Buffaloes (9-1).
In the Valley Conference, No. 8 Hazleton Mustangs (5-5) play No. 1 Lancaster County Cyclones, while No. 5 Dauphin County Comanche (6-4) plays No. 4 Wilkes-Barre Warriors (9-1). Keystone Bowl IXX at Kutztown features the last two teams.
“We are approaching the road to Kutztown just one day at a time,” Rodgers said. The Vikings are the priority right now. We must limit mistakes and maximize redzone and extra-point opportunities.”
XXII and XXIII were Keystone Bowl losses for the Tomahawks.
Rodgers thinks the Tomahawks can win despite being underdogs.
“Defensively, we have to execute our matchups,” he stated. Their huge plays came from broken plays. Finish and tackle.”
The Vikings intercepted two two-point conversions and scored four points, which decided the game.
RJ Buford scored two touchdowns and 123 yards against the Vikings last week. Mifflin County led 24-10 after his second TD.
“We need another performance like that from him,”
Mifflin County quarterback Lashawn Brown completed only 12 of 36 passes, although his receivers had “a few dropped balls but otherwise some overthrows and pressure,” Rodgers said. Brown threw three touchdowns and 164 yards.
Rodgers noted the offensive line allowed their first sack last week. “Win the line of scrimmage.”
Last week, Moshannon Valley transfer Jonathan Dodson scored the first touchdown on a 2-yard run for Tomahawk.
“I’m not sure last week matters other than we made a lot of mistakes and still had a chance to win,” Rodgers said. “Offensively, we must eliminate false starts and execute. Utilize redzone opportunities.
“Defensively, we must execute our matchups,” he continued. Chase Pitts had eight tackles and Charles Faust five for Mifflin County.
“The Tomahawks will win if we win the turnover battle and play mistake-free,” Rodgers stated. “Mova (Moshannon Valley) will win if we struggle in the redzone and (they) play penalty-free.”