Heidenreich propels Mt. Lebanon into PIAA finals
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Eli Heidenreich fends off a tackler in the PIAA semifinals.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Michael Beiersdorf (13) of Mt. Lebanon attempts to make a reception but is interfered with by a State College player during the PIAA Class 6A semifinal game.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Joey Daniels (3) and Thomas Boehner (17) celebrate after Mt. Lebanon’s 49-28 victory against State College in the PIAA semifinals.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Alex Tecza eludes a tackler during PIAA semifinal playoff action.
The bigger the football game, the bigger Eli Heidenreich of Mt. Lebanon plays.
Heidenreich’s 280 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns propelled the Blue Devils to a 49-28 victory over State College in a PIAA Class 6A semifinal game played Dec. 4 at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. He finished with eight receptions for 264 yards and rushed for 63 yards on six carries.
“I seem to play better in the big games,” he said.
Heidenreich’s performance put the Blue Devils in the PIAA championship game for the first time in school history.
A Navy recruit, Heidenreich looked upon the state final on Dec. 11 against St. Joseph Prep (11-2) in Hershey with mixed emotions.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” he said. “Obviously super excited but at the same time it’s the last time I get to play in the blue and gold with my brothers.
“All these guys, especially all the seniors whom I have been playing with since second grade, have been together for the longest time and have developed this super chemistry. So it’s definitely special. But I know the community, the coaching staff and players all feel the same way. We’ll be sad to see it end.”
Heidenreich’s effort came on the heels of a 275-yard performance in a 47-14 win against McDowell in the state quarterfinals on Nov. 26 and a 161-yard showing in a 47-7 triumph over Central Catholic in the WPIAL championship.
Heidenreich rushed for 165 yards and three scores on eight carries against McDowell. He also caught three passes for 110 yards.
Against the Vikings, he had five catches for 70 yards and a scoring grab of 28 yards. He also rushed for 91 yards and another touchdown.
Heidenreich put an end to any dreams the Little Lions had of upsetting the Blue Devils (14-0) when he scored on the opening possession.
Heidenreich hauled in a 68-yard scoring strike from Joey Daniels 20 seconds into the game. His second touchdown catch of 67 yards from Daniels provided Lebo a 14-0 advantage with 6:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Daniels completed 11 of 13 passes for 277 yards and six scores, half of them coming in the game’s first 10 minutes.
“The fast start was the key. A huge part of the win,” Heidenreich said.
Alex Tecza then scored on a 4-yard pass and 2-yard run. He finished with 109 yards rushing.
Heidenreich then added his third touchdown reception of the half. He pulled in a 15-yard pass from Daniels and Lebo went into the locker room leading 42-14 at halftime.
Heidenreich scored once more on a 48-yard reception from Daniels. The touchdown triggered the mercy rule as Lebo’s lead swelled to 49-14. The Little Lions scored twice in the fourth quarter.
“Credit to them. That’s a tough team there,” Heidenreich said. “They play down to the last snap. They are physical, tough and gritty.”
Heidenreich said the difference for Lebo has been head coach Bob Palko.
“What was missing was having a winning attitude,” Heidenreich said. “It’s hard to describe when people asked me, and I get this question a lot, about the change in culture. I never know how to answer it real well but I would say (Palko) taught us how to win.”