Mahanoy Area Claims Eastern Conference Championship with Win Over Old Forge
MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area closed its football season with a championship Friday night, defeating Old Forge 37–7 in the Eastern Conference Class A/AA final. Quinton Rucker scored four touchdowns, including three rushing scores of more than 50 yards, to lead the Golden Bears. Mahanoy Area finished the season 5–6 , while Old Forge ended its year at 4–7 . Both teams entered the championship game with 4–6 regular-season records after finishing one spot outside their respective district playoff fields. Mahanoy Area placed fifth in the District XI Class 2A rankings, while Old Forge finished fifth in the combined District II/XI Class 1A standings. Rucker Scores Four Touchdowns in Championship Win The Golden Bears turned their final opportunity to play into a decisive victory, scoring the game's first 37 points. Rucker opened the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run and carried in the two-point conversion to give Mahanoy Area an 8–0 lead. He followed with a 55-yard touchdown run, with JD Kowalchick adding the two-point conversion on the ground to extend the advantage to 16–0. Will Stoyer scored Mahanoy Area's third touchdown on a 3-yard run, then added the two-point conversion himself to push the lead to 24–0. Kowalchick later
