By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – The rivalry is back!

For years, the traditional Curtin Bowl with the yearly clash Bellefonte Football team and Bald Eagle Area.

After a couple down years for the Red Raiders, the new look Bellefonte squad under second year coach Tony Confer went up against traditional powerhouse Bald Eagle led by Jesse Nagle.

It was a throwback to the golden age of the rivalry as both defenses took control for most of the half.

It was hard nosed throwback football that were led by strong defensive efforts by both teams.

The night belonged to the Red Raiders as it was able to muscle out a hard fought 21-12 battle.

“I am so excited for these kids. They’ve worked so hard for this the last two years. Everything they’ve done for me or given to me. The coaches this year have done an incredible job,” said Bellefonte coach Confer. “This week was our best week of practice. Our kids were about it every day this week…our kids took this week seriously and it’s a testament to them and a testament to the staff.”

With the win, the Red Raiders got to take the Curtin Bowl trophy back to Bellefonte high school where it hasn’t been for quite a while.

In the first half, the game momentum belonged to Bellefonte.

After an opening stand to hold the Eagles to three-and-out, the Red Raiders got the ball at its own 20.

After an incomplete pass on first down, Bellefonte’s line opened a hole for running back Ka’ Ven Smith-Kirk broke loose for a 65-yard scamper as he was pushed out at the 15 yard line.

With its back against the wall, Bald Eagles defense tried to stop the Red Raiders, forcing them to a 4th and goal at the one.

On fourth down, Quarterback Liam Halterman muscled his way in from a yard out to take the 6-0 lead. Kicker

Andy Gerasenko made it a 7-0 lead with 3:36 left in a very fast first quarter.

Both defenses limited the others’ strengths on offense. Bellefonte pressured Carson Nagle all evening.

Bald Eagle limited the running of Halterman to only 14 yards rushing in the first half.

As the clock wound down to below five minutes in the half, Bellefonte scored once again.

After driving the ball from their own 41, the Red Raiders marched down the field down to the Eagles 34.

Halterman went to the air as he found a wide open Ashton Howell on a 34-yard touchdown pass, upping the Red Raiders lead to 14-0 with just 3:30 left until the intermission.

For almost two full quarters before Carson Nagle and company would score with two ticks left on the clock to as he found a wide open Beau Taylor in the end zone, making it a 14-7 contest with Bald Eagle getting the ball to start the second half.

“I knew it was going to be a dog fight. I felt like the lines on both sides ball were going to be critical. There were times when we took control and times they took control,” said Bald Eagle Area coach Jesse Nagle. “Honestly we blew a coverage, that’s very uncharacteristic of us. But at the end of the day I think both teams wanted it and they just came out on top tonight.”

Defensively, they both dug their heels in, in the third quarter.

As the quarter wound down, the Red Raiders would finish off a drive that started at their 19 yard line.

It would be running back Isaac Gall that would add some cushion to the Bellefonte lead as he scampered for a 41-yard run with the successful  kick, the Red Raiders lead 21-6 with only 1:11 left until the final stanza.

In the final quarter, the Bald Eagles would cut the lead to nine.

With Bald Eagle deep in Bellefonte territory Nagle hit Wyatt Speckman for a 7-yard TD reception. However, the 2-point conversion with 10:56 left in the contest.

On the following kick, Bald Eagle attempted an on-sides kick but Ashton Howell recovered the ball at the 50.

But two plays later, the Bald Eagles had the chance they were looking for. With Bellefonte driving at the 37, the Eagles’ defense was able to pop the ball loose from the running back and right into the arms of Brayden Dubbs. Dubbs secured the ball.

However, there was a penalty on the play pushing Bald Eagle back to its 19 to start the drive.

Nine plays later, the Eagles faced a 4th down on the 50. Bellefonte’s defense came up big, forcing a turnover on downs.

From there, the Bellefonte offense just went once again to its running game and was able to run out the clock, taking home the victory.

Bellefonte 21, Bald Eagle Area 12

Bellefonte               7 7 7 0 -21

Bald Eagle Area   0 6 0 6 -12

First Quarter

BEL – Liam Halterman 1-yard run (Andy Gerasenko), 3:36.

Second Quarter

BEL – Halterman 34-yards throw to Ashton Howell (Gerasenko kick), 3:30.

BEA – Carson Nagle 23-yard TD pass to Beau Taylor (kick blocked) 0:02.

Third Quarter

BEL – Isaac Gall 41-yards run (Gerasenko kick), 1:11.

Fourth Quarter

BEA – Nagle to Speckman 7-yard TD reception (conversion failed), 10:56.

TEAM STATISTICS   BEA    BEL    

First downs               15.         10

Total Yards                315     291

Rushes-yards.          23-51 35-229

Yards passing           264    62

Passing (comp.-att.-int.)22-33-0 4-7-0

Fumbles-lost            2-0  2-1

Penalties-yards      2-25 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: BEA –   Carson Nagle 17-47, Carnell Noone 6-4.

BEL – Liam Halterman 17-51, Aden Howell 6-25, Isaac Gall 4-43, Ka’Ven  Smith – Kirk 6-95, Ashton Howell 2-5.

PASSING: BEA  – Carson Nagle 22-33 264.

BEL – Liam Halterman 4-7 62

RECEIVING :  BEA – Noone 3-31, Grayden Fisher 4-63, Wyatt Spackman 6-49, Kollin Cunningham 1-16,Beau Taylor 5-70, Luke Hosband 2-16, Jackson Milward 1-19.

BEL – Howell 3-48, Jaeden Gabrovsek 1-14.