By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE- Bishop McCourt’s running game and an early turnover proved to be too much for the upstart Bellefonte Red Raiders football team to overcome as they fell 28-0 in varsity action Friday.

The Crusher’s ground game was led by Jonathan Delia. Delia rushed 26 times for 150 yards. The running back also caught two passes for 40 yards and finished the night with two touchdown.

“I’m going to take the blame on this one as the head coach. That’s a really good football team and I didn’t think they were as good as they are,” said Bellefonte coach Tony Confer. “I underestimated their football team . We got behind early and had a turnover early. Our motto this year has been when we turn the ball over early we struggle. You can’t turn the ball over on a team like that. They were big. They were strong. they were physical and they had athletes. We are going to forget about this game and we are going to move on.”

Quarterback Angelo Gallucci threw for 78 yards, rushed for 77 and finished with two first quarter touchdown and throwing for one.

Bellefonte’s running game was led by  quarterback Liam Halterman who rushed for 24 yards and passing for 30.

After winning the toss and deciding to receive, the Crushers went right to work, going on a 16-play 82-yard drive.

Gallucci ended the drive on a 1-yard run. With kicker Avery Conner’s PAT put Bishop McCourt ahead at 4:45.

On the following kickoff, the Red Raiders fumbled, putting the ball the Bellefonte 32.

It took just seven plays before the  rushers to up their lead to 14.

Facing a 2nd and goal from the seven, Gallucci called his own number once again on the 7-yards run, making it a 14-0 advantage with 1:20 still left in the first.

Bellefonte finally got to go on offense  and had only three plays in the quarter.

Bellefonte’s drive stalled out at their own 40 and was forced to punt.

Minutes into the second quarter, the Crushers continued its scoring spree.

This time McCourt started at their own 30. Highlighting the drive was a 12-yard hook up from Gallucci to Nick Dressick and a 20-yard run from Gallucci, setting the scene for Delia.

Delia would score on a 3-yard run along with a Conner kick, giving McCourt a 21-0 advantage at 8:46 left in the half.

The Crusher would score one more touchdown before the intermission. On the last play of the half, Gallucci launched a 32-yard TD pass to Delia :00.

When the intermission got underway, the Crushers held a 28-0 advantage.

In the second half, the Red Raiders refused to go away without a fight. Thru continued to battle despite trailing by 28 and did so the remainder of the second half, keeping the Crushers off the board.

Bellefonte will try to get back to their winning ways when they host Huntingdon.

Bishop McCourt 28, Bellefonte  0

Bishop McCourt  14 14  0 0 -28

Bellefonte               0   0  0 0 –   0

First Quarter

BM – Angelo Gallucci 1-yard run ( Avery Conner kick), 4:45.

BM – Gallucci 7-yards run (Conner kick),1:20

Second Quarter

BM – Jonathan Delia 3-yards run (Conner kick), 8:46.

BM – Gallucci 32-yard TD pass to Delia :00.

Third Quarter

None

Fourth Quarter

None

TEAM STATISTICS   BM     BEL    

First downs                 17        8

Total Yards                348    129

Rushes-yards.      53-270   27-99

Yards passing           78        30

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 6-11-0  4-30-0

Fumbles-lost             0-0     1-1

Penalties-yards        3-25  4-45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: BM – Josh Spontak 1-10, Garrett Farabaugh 8-16, Angelo Gallucci 13-77, Jonathan Delia 26-150, Luke Stevens 2-5, Colin Beiswenger 2-14, Reese West 1-2, Braylond Wiley 1-(-4).

BEL – Liam Halterman 11-24, Asten Howell 2-19,  Isaac Gall 3-9, Ka’Ven  Smith – Kirk 5-11, Caleb Bartley 1-19, Jackson Long 2-13, Ben Edwards 1-0, Logan Rarrick 1-4.

PASSING: BM  – Gallucci 6-11-78.

BEL – Liam Halterman 4-10-30.

RECEIVING : BM – Spontak 2-31, Delia 2-40, Nick Dressick 1-12, Marquez Gordon 1-16.

BEL – Howell 1-14, Smith-Kirk 1-5, Jaeden Gabronsek 2-11.