The program’s first district title since 2019 wasn’t to be, however, as Mifflinburg forced three Montoursville and held its opponent to 14 points or less for the ninth time in 12 games to claim its first district title since 2002 with a 35-12 victory over Montoursville in a game that was played in light rain throughout.

“These seniors had it in their minds that they were going to change the trajectory of the program. Last year, obviously we finished .500 and that wasn’t good enough, so we worked really hard from January on and did all of the stuff you need to do to be a good football team and the seniors led,” said Montoursville coach Joe Hanna. “The conditions weren’t great, but both teams had to play on it. It certainly didn’t help us but I don’t know how much of a factor that was. Give them credit, they have a heck of a football team.”

The Wildcats, who had handed Montoursville one of its two losses on the season with a 35-7 defeat back in Week 4, held Montoursville to 243 total yards, but of that total, 138 came on the Warriors’ two scoring drives of the game, one of which came late in the fourth quarter when the Wildcats had taken a 35-6 lead.

“Not enough is probably written about their defense. Their offense always gets the headlines but I thought they were very physical up front and they fly to the football,” said Hanna. “They make it tough to run the football anytime and when they get you into second and third-and-long, it makes it tough on your offense.”

Elijah Eck of Montoursville leaps into the air to make a pass as they play Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks was held to just 53 rushing yards on 16 carries. His longest run prior to a 13-yard pickup late in the fourth quarter was just for six yards. Elijah Eck threw for 155 yards, but 48 of those came on a single scoring play, and he was also picked off three times by the Wildcats.

“We weren’t able to run the ball efficiently enough and we had them starting to sit on some stuff,” said Hanna. “There’s only so many things you can throw before teams start reading different things that you’re doing. Besides a few big plays, they really didn’t do a lot throwing the ball either consistently.

Chad Martin’s one-yard touchdown run at the 8:18 mark of the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats the 35-6 lead and it capped a 15-play, 68-yard drive that took 8:44 off the clock. It was the last of three rushing touchdowns on the night for Martin, who led Mifflinburg on the ground with 67 yards on 13 carries and also completed 8-of-13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Martin’s lone touchdown pass of the game broke an early stalemate and drew first blood late in the first quarter. He found Landen Murray in stride for a 70-yard touchdown pass after Murray had slipped behind the Montoursville secondary.

Montoursville answered on its ensuing possession as Eck found Jay Houseknecht in stride as well for a 48-yard touchdown pass. It was nearly a carbon copy of Martin’s toss to Murray as Houseknecht beat his defender and got behind Mifflinburg’s secondary. The PAT was blocked by Mifflinburg, however, leaving the Wildcats with the lead.

Quarterback Elijah Eck of Montoursville gets the ball from center and throws a 4th quarter touchdown against Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mifflinburg extended that lead with two more scores before halftime. The Wildcats took advantage of a short field after Jackson Griffith picked off Eck and set up Mifflinburg at the Montoursville 33. The Wildcats needed just five plays to find the end zone again on a five-yard run by Martin at the 4:26 mark of the second quarter.

The Wildcats then just beat the clock going into the half, as Martin capped a six-play, 69-yard drive with a one-yard plunge with :20 to go in the half to give Mifflinburg a 21-6 lead heading into the break.

That lead was extended to 28-6 midway through the third quarter when Jackson Marr stepped in front of a Montoursville receiver and picked off Eck and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Marr read the play the entire way and easily jumped the receiver’s route.

With Mifflinburg playing softer coverage up by 29 points in the fourth quarter, the Warriors put together a 12-play, 79-yard drive capped by an Eck five-yard touchdown pass to Kingston Fisher to cap the scoring with 3:31 left in the game.

Christian Banks of Montoursville is tackled by Jackson Marr of Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Elijah Eck of Montoursville hands off the ball to Christian Banks as they play Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Gabe Vanderwall of Montoursville chases down Chad Martin of Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kingston Fisher of Montoursville chases down Chad Martin of Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville scores a touchdown against Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville scores a touchdown against Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The point after attempt by Adam Shearer of Montoursville is blocked by Chad Martin of Mifflinburg in the second quarter at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Elijah Eck of Montoursville looks for a hole to run through against Mifflinburg at Mifflinburg High School. Mifflinburg won 35-12. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette