Momentum change hurts Butler: Interception, long pass short-circuit comeback attempt in 33-13 loss to Hollidaysburg
BUTLER TWP — For the second time, Butler threatened to get within one score after allowing three early touchdowns to Hollidaysburg Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
But the Golden Tigers were up to the task.
With his team leading 27-13, Hollidaysburg linebacker Cooper Tewell intercepted a tipped pass at the Tigers’ 15-yard line midway through the second quarter. Five plays later, Drew Wyland connected with Caden DeLattre for 57 yards on a deep pass down the left sideline.
That set up a 2-yard Jack Steiner touchdown run with 4:20 left in the third quarter — accounting for the final points of Hollidaysburg’s 33-13 road win over the Golden Tornado.
“Getting the kickoff to start the second half, I thought we had a chance to get within a score and make this a tight game,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “Instead, we went three-and-out. But our defense gave us another chance.”
Landon Lacey intercepted a Wyland pass — one of few mistakes the Tigers quarterback made all night — to give Butler (2-2) possession at the Hollidsayburg 43. But Tewell’s interception foiled the Golden Tornado’s comeback attempt.
“We preach to our kids to play under control, don’t get too high or too down over what’s happening on the field,” Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said. “We just want to control what we can control, which are attitude and effort.
“That interception was a big play. We responded when we had to tonight.”
The Tigers set the tone early. A 44-yard touchdown run by Wyland capped a 4-play, 65-yard drive on the game’s first possession. Wyland’s 13-yard scoring run capped a 61-yard drive the next time the Tigers had the ball.
A trick play resulted in pay dirt on Holliday’s third possession. Brady Steiner took a handoff from Wyland and found Caden DeLattre in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown pass and a 20-0 lead with the game still in the first quarter.
“We were jumping up and down, shouting in the locker room before we came out to start this game,” Wyland said. “We wanted to make a quick statement, take control right away.”
Butler answered with a pair of scores of its own. Braylon Littrlejohn connected with Ian Wilson for an 8-yard touchdown and Littlejohn capped a 30-yard drive with a 5-yard scoring run with 11:09 still left in the first half. That touchdown was set up by Ethan Deless recovering a Hollidaysburg fumble at the Tigers 30-yard line.
“We hirt ourselves with turnovers tonight,” Coach DeLattre said. “That helped them get back in the game.”
Hollidaysburg (2-1) did not punt until less than three minutes remained in the game.
Wyland threw for 158 yards and rushed for 162. Caden DeLattre had three receptions for 129 yards. Tewell had two interceptions, Grabill and Robbie Mullen one each for the Tigers.
“Their line play controlled much of the game and their quarterback was pretty elusive,” Christy admitted. “We had trouble running the ball, but plays were there in the passing game.”
Littlejohn threw for 191 yards and rushed for 59 for the Tornado. David Graef caught seven passes for 72 yards.
Hollidaysburg amassed 22 first downs and 427 yards of total offense in the win.
Purchase photos from the gallery below at photos.butlereagle.com.
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Butlers cheerleaders get the crowd ready to cheer on their team before they kick off Friday night verse Hollidaysburg. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butlers Ethan Deless with ball (23) celebrates with teammates Quinlan Hanley (15) and Mathew McCombs (11) after a fumble recovery in the second quarter of their game against Hollidaysburg Friday night. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butler Quarter Back Braylon Littlejohn (2) jumps into the end zone to score a rushing touchdown Friday night against Hollidaysburg. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butler student section honors the veterans during Friday nights game versus Hollidaysburg by wearing their red, white and blue. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butler defender Landon Lacey left (28) makes a big hit on Hollidaysburg Wide Receiver Cooper Tewell with ball (8) during the first quarter of Friday nights game. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butler Quarter Back Braylon Littlejohn (2) throws a check down against Hollidaysburg during Friday nights game. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Landon Lacey right (28) of Butler returns a kick and tries to avoid the Hollidayburgs defender Mitchell Baronner left (28) during the third quarter of their game Friday night. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butler receiver David Graef with ball (3) gets tackled by Hollidaysburg Cooper Tewell left (8) during Friday nights home game. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butlers band performs during half time of their game against Hollidaysburg Friday night at home. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butlers band performs during half time of their game against Hollidaysburg Friday night at home. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
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Butlers band performs during half time of their game against Hollidaysburg Friday night at home. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle
Hollidaysburg 20 7 6 0 — 33
Butler 7 6 0 0 — 13
First Quarter
H — Drew Wyland 44 run (pass failed), 10:19
H — Wyland 13 run (Paul Wedel kick), 5:49
H — Caden DeLattre 33 pass from Brady Steiner (Wedel kick), 2:45
B — Ian Wilson 8 pass from Braylon Littlejohn (Christian Mortimer kick), 2:15
Second Quarter
B — Littlejohn 5 run (kick blocked), 11:09
H — Jack Steiner 3 run (Wedel kick), 2:01
Third Quarter
H — Steiner 2 run (kick failed), 4:20
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Hollidaysburg, Drew Wyland 20-162, Jack Steiner 12-57, Mitchell Baronner 6-23, TEAM 1-(-4), E.J. Ulery 2-16, Maddox Bainey 2- (12). Butler, Braylon Littlejohn 11-59, David Graef 3-14, Landon Lacey 1-(-8), TEAM 1-(-7), Alex Catalfano 2-28, Maxwell Rihn 2-1, Evan Rensel 2-1.
Passing: Hollidaysburg, Drew Wyland 8-16-158-2, Maddox Bainey 0-1-0-0, Brady Steinerr 1-1-33-0. Butler, Braylon Littlejohn 17-29-191-4.
Receiving: Hollidaysburg, Cooper Tewell 1-16, Caden DeLattre 3-129, Jack Steiner 1-11, Brady Steiner 1-6, Jay Albarano 1-9, Gavin Bell 2-20. Butler, Landon Lacey 3-65, Ian Wilson 4-37, David Graef 7-72, Mark Klemz 1-1, Alex Catalfano 1-6, Quinlan Hanley 1-6.
