Despite 3 turnovers, Gators find way to win

ALTOONA, Pa. — When you do as many things with as many players as Gateway does offensively, turnovers are going to happen.

The key thing is not to let one mistake carry over to the next play or two.

“You always have to put the turnovers in the back of your mind,” Gators quarterback Brady Walker said. “You have to come back, forget about turnovers and score the points.”

Walker, with a big assist from Courtney Jackson, did just that Saturday. The Gators put three first-half turnovers behind them and then let their speed put District 68-10 champion Hollidaysburg in the rearview mirror, pulling away in the second half for a 49-30 PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal win at Mansion Park Stadium. It was Gateway’s first PIAA football playoff win.

“This is an honor. We had so many great teams — they were stacked,” Jackson said.

Walker accounted for 462 yards of total offense, completing23 of 30 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns while also running for a 14-yard score. Jackson took a reverse 78 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the game and finished with 225 yards receiving on 11 catches, hauling in Walker scoring tosses of 53 and 33 yards.

Gateway (13-1) rolled up 596 yards in total offense as it punched its ticket into a semifinal round meeting with District 3 champion Manheim Central Friday or Saturday at a site and time to be announced.

With two deflected passes getting picked off and the Gators also losing a fumble, the score was tied at 14-14 midway through the second quarter before Walker eluded the pass rush and heaved the ball to Jackson behind the Hollidaysburg secondary for the 53-yard score. After offensive penalties on three consecutive plays forced the Golden Tigers (8-4) to punt, the Gators covered 89 yards in less than a minute, with Walker hitting Travis Thompson from 9 yards to make it a twotouchdown difference.

Hollidaysburg’s Vlad Hilling booted a 41-yard field goal to end the first half, but Tui Faumuina-Brown gave Gateway the momentum right back by intercepting a pass and taking it to the Hollidaysburg 1. Derrick Davis scored on the next play. The Tigers never got any closer.