PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals preview capsule: State College vs. Pine-Richland

By: HSSN Staff
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