Mt. Lebanon wins first state football championship
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From left, Eli Heidenreich, Alex Tecza and Joey Daniels hoist the PIAA championship trophy while Daniel King (43) lifts a giant Hershey’s chocolate bar into the air as Mt. Lebanon celebrates its first state title in football.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Eli Heidenreich breaks several tackles and bolts into the end zone for a Mt. Lebanon touchdown.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Jack Smith (7) celebrates with Sam Ward (11) and Tommy Boehner (17) after making a big hit against St. Joseph’s Prep during PIAA Class 6A championship football action.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Matt Wetz follows his blockers after making his second interception in Mt. Lebanon’s 35-17 victory against St. Joseph’s Prep during PIAA Class 6A championship football action.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
James Kline (50) celebrates along with teammates Louie Pietragallo (24) and Jack Smith (7) after Mt. Lebanon’s 35-17 victory over St. Joseph’s Prep in the PIAA Class 6A football championship game.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon defensive linemen corral St. Joseph’s Prep running back Kahseim Phillips during PIAA Class 6A championship action. The Blue Devils held the high-powered Hawks’ offense to 17 points.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon linebacker Jack Smith sacks St. Joseph’s Prep quarterback Samaj Jones during PIAA Class 6A championship action.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Mike Beiersdorf races toward the end zone after hauling in a pass from Joey Daniels during PIAA Class 6A championship action.
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Tommy Boehner leaps for joy after Mt. Lebanon forced a St. Joseph’s Prep turnover.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Alex Tecza (5) and Beckham Dee bring down St. Joseph’s Prep quarterback Samaj Jones during PIAA Class 6A football championship action.
HERSHEY — The Mt. Lebanon football team captured its first PIAA title Dec. 11 with a 35-17 victory over three-time defending champion St. Joseph’s Prep at Hersheypark Stadium.
The Hawks had won six state titles in the past seven years but they were no match for the inspired Blue Devils, who completed a 15-0 season en route to earning the Class 6A crown.
“We knew we were special,” said Mt. Lebanon running back Alex Tecza. “Everyone but us didn’t think we could do this but we were confident.
“We wanted to leave our legacy and do something that nobody else has done.”
Few teams have contained the Hawks this season.
St. Joseph’s Prep compiled an 11-3 record, falling previously to Milton, which competed in the Georgia Class 7A state championship game, and LaSalle College. The Hawks owned a nine-game winning streak and had averaged 31.5 points per game until confronting the Blue Devils.
Though the Hawks jumped ahead, 7-0, moving 74 yards in 10 plays on their opening possession, the Blue Devils responded with three quick scores to take a 21-7 lead they never surrendered.
Joey Daniels tossed an 86-yard game-tying touchdown with 6:54 to play in the first quarter. He finished with 203 yards passing on 8 completions.
“I cannot put into words what this means,” Daniels said of the victory. “It’s special, especially since it’s my last high school game.
“This whole team stuck together even when people were doubting us. We did what we needed to do and went 15-0. I don’t think a lot of people expected us to win this game. St. Joe’s Prep is a fantastic team. They have been winning championships for awhile now so I understand it but that just gave us motivation to go out there and do our thing.”
The Lebo defense also did its thing. The Blue Devils had two interceptions, five sacks and a fumble recovery, while limiting the Hawks to 137 yards rushing and 152 yards passing.
Mt. Lebanon’s Tommy Boehner forced a fumble that teammate Jack Smith recovered. Shortly afterward, Eli Heidenreich raced 12 yards into the end zone to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 advantage with 6:11 left in the first quarter.
While Tecza contributed to the defense, he also racked up three touchdowns. His 6-yard touchdown reception from Daniels enabled Lebo to expand its advantage to 21-7 less than two minutes into the second quarter.
Tecza tacked on rushing scores of 2 and 4 yards in the fourth quarter while the Lebo defense continued its dominance in the second half.
Smith recorded two sacks in the fourth quarter while Heidenreich supplied another. Owen Halter added one in the third to go along with the two interceptions by Matt Wertz.
“We put together a great game plan on defense and it all worked out,” said Smith. “I think it’s because we are so close. We are like brothers. We have drawn together so much in these last few games. We have been through so much. That’s why our defense has taken us to this far.”