Photo by Tim Weight
By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE –  It was a good beginning for the Bellefonte football team as they battled Hollidaysburg stride-for-stride in the first half.

For that half, the Golden Tigers were held to just a late touchdown, taking a 7-0 intermission.

As the third quarter got underway, the wheels fell off for the Red Raiders as Hollidaysburg heated up, posting four scoring drives en route to a 31-0 win for the Tigers on Homecoming.

Penalties were again costly for the Red Raiders posting 10 for 72 yards.

Bellefonte’s offense was moving up and down the field early on, getting down into Golden Tiger territory.

The closest the Red Raiders had to scoring was in the first half, where they set up for a field goal attempt, only to see it blocked by the rush of the Golden Tigers.

The Bellefonte offense was led by quarterback Trevor Johnson who finished with 6-18 75 yards.

Grayson Alterio led the rushers with 23 yards rushing while teammate Liam Halterman had 20 yards on the ground.

Each time the Hollidaysburg defense stood up and we’re able to thwart the Red Raider drives.

After a very back-and-forth first half, one play would give Hollidaysburg the edge going into the half.

Setting up to punt from their own 48, Hollidaysburg caught a break as the ball was mishandled and the Tigers were able to recover it on the Bellefonte 16.

Three plays later, Hollidaysburg scored the first touchdown of the game.

Quarterback Tucker Rossman found an open Ralph Albarano for a 15-yard touchdown throw, making it a 7-0 contest.

Hollidaysburg’s offense started to heat up.

After the Golden Tigers held Bellefonte’s offense to just a punt.

The Golden Tigers got the ball at their own 45 to start.

Hollidaysburg went to their running game and to running back Iasiah Burket.

Burket, who finished with a game high 71-yards rushing.

After running the ball five straight plays, driving the ball to the Red Raiders 23.

From there, the Tigers drove the ball to the three.

Rossman called his own number and pushed through the line for the touchdown. With the Ben Sosnowski PAT, Hollidaysburg led 14-0.

However, an unsportsmanlike contact penalty was called on Bellefonte on the play, putting the Golden Tigers kick off team to start from the 50.

Hollidaysburg sent a soft dribble kick and they were able to scoop up the onsides kick, putting them once again in Bellefonte territory.

Again, the Golden Tigers offense picked up where they left off, pushing the ball down to the Red Raider 8-yard line.

But this time, the Red Raiders were able to make a stop, forcing Hollidaysburg to just field goal.

The visitors would make the most of the momentum, adding one more third quarter score.

Drew Wyland scored on a 4-yard run with Sosnowski kicking the PAT at 2:34.

In the fourth, the Tigers added an insurance touchdown to help clinch the victory.

Hollidaysburg 0 7 17 7 – 31

Bellefonte        0 0  0 0 –   0

Second Quarter

H- Tucker Rossman 15-yard TD to Ralph Albarano (Ben Sosnowski kick),3:56

Third Quarter

H – Rossman 3-yard run (Sosnowski kick), 6:39

H – Sosnowski 25-yard FG

H – Drew Wyland 4-yard run (Sosnowski kick), 2:34

Fourth Quarter

H – Rossman to Wyland 43-yard TD pass (Sosnowski kick), 9:24

TEAM STATISTICS       B    H

First downs                   10  13

Total yards                 163 324                   

Rushes-yards.            62  162                          

Yards passing            101  186

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 8-23-0, 10-21-0

Fumbles-lost              1-1  0-0

Penalties-yards         10-72 4-43

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Bellefonte – Grayson Alterio 12-23, Trevor Johnson 7-8, Dom Capperella 2-(-5), Noah Weaver 3-1, Sherman Lowry 6-3, Liam Halterman 2-20, Grady Garrison 3-4, Noah Weaver 3-1Hollidaysburg  –  Iasiah Burket 6-71, Tucker Rossman 4-5, Drew Wyland 2-14, Cristian White 3-18, Mitchell Baronner 9-44.

PASSING-Bellefonte – Trevor Johnson 6-18 75, Halterman 2-5 26. H-burg  – Tucker Rossman 10-21-186.

RECEIVING: Bellefonte – Alterio 1-10, Capperella 4-53, Noah Weaver 2-26, Lowry 1-12. H-burg  – Caden DeLattre 4-79, Ralph Albarano 3-27, Wyland 3-60.