Football - Ligonier Valley vs Richland

November 18, 2018

Ligonier Valley Season Ends at D6 Title Game with 21-12 Loss to Richland

Had it been just another regular season contest, maybe Ligonier Valley could have adjusted to losing their biggest offensive weapon for much of the second half of the game. But this was no regular season game. It was the PIAA District 6 Class 2A championship game, and the opponent was undefeated Richland High School. Ligonier Valley and Richland shared similar history coming into the game; high scoring offenses and stingy defenses that had led both to a season of dominating victories and perfect records coming into the title game. When the game was finally played Saturday Nov 17, a one day delay from it's previously scheduled time due to the snowfall that occurred Thursday at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona, fans could expect an epic battle among two teams that had been previously unchallenged to date. But a Ligonier Valley halftime lead built upon a pair of Aaron Tutino touchdown receptions didn't hold, as the star receiver was hobbled in the second half, and Richland took home the trophy with a 21-12 win.

Ligonier Valley lit up the scoreboard first, as Tutino grabbed a 1-yard touchdown pass from Sam Sheeder with 7:07 remaining in the first quarter. Peter Stoll's PAT kick was wide, and LV held a 6-0 lead. Tutino found the end zone for a second time with 1:57 left in the quarter as he took John Caldwell's pass 56 yards to the house, and Ligoner Valley held a 12-0 lead after the two-point conversion attempt failed. Richland broke their drought in the second quarter with Trevor Tustin's 23-yard reception from Joe Hauser, and Tim Bodenschatz's kick made the score 12-7 at halftime.

Richland took the lead in the third quarter on a 9-yard run by Kellen Stahl, with Bodenschatz adding the PAT. Ligonier Valley continued to move the ball on offense, missing a field goal attempt that would have regained the lead, until a lower leg injury to Tutino forced them to operate the rest of the game without the PIAA all-time record holder for touchdown receptions in their offense. With Tutino limping on the sidelines, Ligonier Valley failed to score in the fourth quarter while Richland added a touchdown pass and PAT late in the game to seal the 21-12 victory and District 6 championship.

Ligonier Valley finished the year with a 12-1 record, a District 6 runner-up title, a Heritage Conference championship, their third straight Appalachian Bowl title, and several personal and team all-time milestones to add to their storied history. Richland will enter the PIAA playoff rounds with a game next week.

Click this link for a full gallery of action photos from this game, available for purchase or social media share.

Keywords: boys, football, high school, ligonier valley, richland, westmoreland county