29th Annual Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic ITCL Shines Again in 14-8 Buckeye Win

(West Branch) - The ITCL showed once again in this season of all-star games that it's players can play with the best of the best.  The Buckeyes, lead by touchdown catches from South Range's Charlie Lengyel, and United's Jimmy Phillis helped carry the Ohio squad to only it's ninth win in this series.      The Buckeyes would open the contest with a long drive that would stall at the Keystoners 37-yard line.  Following a three and out for Penn, Ohio would once again drive deep into Penn territory, this time turning the ball over on downs at the Penn four yard line.  On the second play of the Penn possession, Mark Markakis of Steubenville would recover a fumble to set up the Buckeyes at the Keystone 18 yard line.  On the next play, Beaver Local quarterback Ethan Russell would hit Charlie Lengyel of South Range for a touchdown at the 1:22 mark of the first quarter.      The two teams would spar back and forth until 1:57 before the half, when Wellsville's Zane Carter would come up with an interception of Keystone quarterback Shawn Lehocky (Freedom) at the Ohio five yard line.  Ohio would waste little time as they scored a minute later on a Russell 47-yard touchdown bomb to a wide open Jimmy Phillis of United.  J.C. Willison of South Range would boot his second extra point to extend the Ohio lead to 14-0 at the halftime break.

The second half would see the Keystoners go on a 16 play, 66 yard drive that would eat up eight minutes of clock before they turned the ball over on downs at the Ohio ten yard line.  The Ohio defense would put up two more stands, as they turned away Penn on downs deep in Ohio territory.  Finally, at the 2:31 point of the fourth quarter Penn would break the goal line with a Eric Walker 1-yard plunge.  A botched point after attempt saw kicker Aaron Hassett (Moon) pass to Mitch Myers (Freedom) for a two-point conversion.      Due to game rules, Penn couldn't attempt an onside kick, however they forced Ohio into a fourth and two situation at their own 33 with just over a minute to go in the contest.  Ohio's coach Altenhof would become a riverboat gambler as he went for it in this critical situation.  "The kids wanted to go for it.  They wanted it", Altenhof would remark.  Beaver Local's Devon Ludwig would pound it over the right side of the line to pick up the first, and seal the victory.      For his efforts, Russell was named Ohio's "Player of the Game" for his 7 of 14 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns.  Manny Cutlip of Penn was named "Player of the Game" for his squad after rushing for 70 yards.      Some other outstanding performances came from ITCL's Nate Carmen of Wellsville providing constant pressure on Penn QB's, and United's Bill Prosko had numerous tackles from his linebacker position.  Southern's Darren Miller also made several tackles, and broke up numerous passes.      Offensively, Steve Bensinger of South Range caught two passes for 60 yards, and teammate J.C. Willison booted numerous high deep punts preventing the Keystoners from any big returns.  Columbiana's lineman Kurt Hutson showed why he is headed to Colgate as he was brilliant both offensively and defensively. -ITCL Web Page Article

Jimmy Phillis post-game comments

Zane Carter post-game comments

Coach Altenhof post-game comments