Line Mountain Clinches District 4 Title with 20-14 Victory

UPDATE: Line Mountain has just secured the District 4 1A football title, defeating Montgomery 20-14 in a thrilling match at Glenn Ressler Field on November 10, 2023. This victory marks a perfect season for the Eagles, who finish with an impressive 11-0 record.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams showcasing their strength. The winning touchdown came from a Kaiden Maurer pass to Bryce Smeltz with just 8:03 left on the clock, sealing the deal for the Eagles. Maurer also connected with Hank Malfara for a crucial 54-yard touchdown that briefly gave Line Mountain a 14-7 lead late in the third quarter.

Montgomery fought back fiercely, with Briar Persing returning the subsequent kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown, keeping the pressure on the Eagles. The Red Raiders, who entered the championship match after a commanding 33-0 victory over Muncy, ended their season with a 10-2 record.

In terms of stats, Maurer completed 7 of 16 passes for 125 yards, while Malfara had a standout performance with three receptions for 87 yards. Montgomery’s offensive efforts were spearheaded by Josh Knoebel, who scored their first touchdown, alongside Trace Furman who rushed for 59 yards.

Unfortunately for Line Mountain, they played without key players, including injured TE-DE Max Johnson and standout Kaden Dunkelberger. However, the Eagles are set to face Lackawanna Trail, the District 2 champion, in the upcoming PIAA opening round after their 41-14 victory over Tri-Valley.

The Eagles’ fans are eagerly anticipating the next matchup, as Line Mountain looks to continue their winning streak. For real-time updates and highlights from the game, follow sports reporter Eric Epler on X/Twitter at @threejacker.