Little Lions hold onto 1-point win over Kish in Pee Wee action

By Kenny Varner
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Updated: December 18, 2015

LEWISTOWN -They saved the best for last.
After a day full of exciting bowl competition Saturday at the Juniata Valley Football League Championship Weekend, the best game of the evening came in the JVFL’s Pee Wee Super Bowl which had two familiar rivals up against each other.
This year State College and The Kish Indians once again earned the rights to battle for the title.
An old adage that defense wins championships could no better exemplified than in this contest as the Little Lions broke up a potential game winning 2-point conversion to take home the 7-6 victory.
“Anytime you play Kish you know they are going to be well coached, really disciplined and they are a spectacular team that plays hard. We knew we needed every point and it was a big one,” State College coach Rob Johnson said. “We gave the ball to Donte Nastasi and fought hard behind a good offensive line and it was a good effort by everyone. It was a fun night.”
After three and half quarters of defensive dominance by both teams, the game would see its first touchdown at the 4:51 mark.
A turning point came late after pinning the Indians down deep in their own end, State College forced a punt that gave themselves a first down on the Indians 25.
However, the Kish defense forced a clutch fourth and nine.
State College turned and handed the ball to Donte Nastasi. Nastasi, who finished the game with a 118-yard performance, did not disappoint as he blazed his way into the end zone for the 24-yard touchdown, giving the Little Lions a 6-0 lead.
With a successful PAT, State led 7-0.
Kish refused to go away and mounted one last shot at the victory.
With the ball with under four and half minutes left, the Indians began its trek down for a touchdown.
On its seventh play of the drive, Kish came within one play of tying the game.
Quarterback Landon Eichorn tossed an 18-yard pass reception to Hayden Yoder for the touchdown, making it 7-6 with 1:47 left.
“They (Kish) has shown so much improvement over the year. The first game we lost 26-8. To lose by one point is heartbreaking but I’m proud of my boys. I have no complaints,” Kish coach Kenny Powell said. “The defense has only given up two touchdowns in the past five games. I’m absolutely proud of them. They played phonominal.”
Kish decided to roll the dice and go for the win but the State College backfield knocked down the 2-point conversion attempt.
On the following kick off, the Little Lions picked up the on sides kick to secure the game and taking home the title.
In the first half, both teams knocked on the door numerous times deep in their opponent send of the field.
But when called upon, the team’s tightened up their defensive play, keeping the game a scoreless first half of play.
The trend continued in the third and almost into the final stanza before Nastasi and company would find the end zone.
The win would be another win in the long successful tradition of the Little Lions.
On Sunday, State College had a chance to sweep the Super Bowl contests as the midgets faced off against fellow Centre County team, Penns Valley.