Blue Mountain ends the 10-0 run, 17-13

Nov. 8, 2002, at the high school, 7 p.m. Fourth-seeded Saucon Valley came in at 6-4 for its first Class 3A playoff game. Mifflinburg was 10-0 and the top seed in the District 4/11 subregional. The schools had not played. Mifflinburg won 41-14.

The Morning Call's preview that morning had senior quarterback Zac Kurtz at 1,400 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He had thrown four touchdown passes in the 47-7 win at Lewisburg, and he had thrown for 300 yards and five touchdowns when Mifflinburg beat Central Columbia 35-0. Senior receiver Tim Devanney had 600 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tight end Heath Derr had 25 catches for about 300 yards. Fullback Deken Kline and tailback Brandon Sampsell had 1,100 rushing yards between them. Six opponents had been held to seven points or fewer. Selinsgrove's 14 points were the most anyone had scored. Mifflinburg was averaging 28.2 points and allowing 7.8.

A week later, Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at Mifflinburg Area High School, Blue Mountain won 17-13. The Class AAA bracket lists Mifflinburg at 11-1 after the game. It was the only loss. Blue Mountain, the No. 11, then lost the Nov. 23 quarterfinal at Hershey to Lower Dauphin, 20-7.