Oct 26, 2013 By Kevin Harrison for The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE — The Connellsville Falcons tried to overcome a sluggish three quarters with a rally in the fourth as visiting Altoona was able to hold off the Falcons comeback for a 28-14 win.

The Mountain Lions relied on their running game that produced over 200-yards. Eli Mencer lead the Mountain Lions with 159-yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Teammate Kevin Givens finished with 100-yards on 11 carries.

Connellsville’s Jade Maher tried to bring the Falcons back with a big fourth quarter through the air passing for 159-yards and a touchdown in the fourth and running for another. Maher ended his night completing 17 of 26 passes for 223-yards and one interception.

“We were not prepared to play tonight and it’s 100 percent on my shoulders,” Connellsville’s Dave McDonald said. “The kids did a great job of fighting back in the second half. But as their coach I didn’t get it done tonight.”

Altoona was able to capitalize on a Falcons turnover in the first quarter. Maher fumbled and the ball was recovered by Altoona at the Falcons 42. Mencer ended the short drive with a 34-yard scoring run.

Altoona increased their lead to 14-0 with another score in the second quarter. Starting at their 17, Mencer carried six times for 64 yards on the 12-play drive that ended with Mencer scoring on a 10-yard run.

“We got our best offensive lineman back tonight after missing four weeks in Jake Scheinburg and we tried to run behind him quite a bit,” Altoona’s John Franco said. “I thought our offensive line blocked very well tonight. I felt Mencer and Givins ran really hard which was a good combination.”

Altoona picked up another score in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard run from Givins to give the Mountain Lions a 21-0 lead.

The Falcons started their next possession at their 20. Maher heated up completing six passes with the last one going to Austin Puskar for a 23-yard touchdown.

After holding Altoona to a three and out the Falcons took over at their 20 following a penalty. Maher connected on five more passes with Michael Parlak taking his last pass 18-yards to a two-yard line. Maher plunged in for the score to cut the lead to 21-14.

Givins put the game out of reach with a 45-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

“The kids fought hard in the fourth quarter and fought until the end. I’m proud of them McDonald said. “This was a great senior class. They’re a great group of guys. I’m disappointed in myself at the way their season ended.”

Foothills Conference

Altoona           7-7-0-14 — 28

Connellsville   0-0-0-14 — 14

First Quarter

A: Eli Mencer 34 run (Joe Reghard kick) 9:19, 7-0

Second Quarter

A: Mencer 10 run (Reghard kick) 5:28, 14-0

Fourth Quarter

A: Kevin Givins 11 run (Reghard kick )11:35, 21-0

C: Austin Puskar 23 from Jade Maher (Corey Fogle kick), 7:48, 21-7

C: Maher 2 run (Fogle kick) 3:04, 21-14

A: Givins 45 run (Reghard kick) 1:24, 28-14

Records: Altoona (2-6, 2-7), Connellsville (2-6, 2-7).