Central Dauphin stuns WPIAL giant North Allegheny 23-20 in Class AAAA semifinal

ERIC F. EPLER, The Patriot-News, December 10, 2011 8:59 p.m.

Defending PIAA Class AAAA champion North Allegheny was denied a return trip to Hersheypark Stadium by none other than District 3 dynamo Central Dauphin.

Evan Brandes nailed a 21-yard field goal as time expired Saturday night at Altoona's Mansion Park Stadium as the gutsy District 3 Rams dinged the WPIAL Tigers 23-20. Less then six minutes earlier, Art Walker's Tigers drew even with the District 3 champs via a 5-yard TD hook-up from QB Mack Leftwich to James Kleinhampl.

However, Rams QB Brandon LaVia orchestrated a nine-play, 42-yard drive in the final 5:14 to give Brandes his shot at glory. The senior didn't miss, ending North Allegheny's 21-game winning streak one step before the Class AAAA final.

Instead, the Rams (14-1) will battle District 1 champ North Penn next Saturday at 6 p.m. for the PIAA title. Game time is 6 p.m. in Hershey

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/-8250289130496885652/central-dauphin-stuns-wpial-giant-north-allegheny-23-20-in-class-aaaa-semifinal/