B-A matches running games with BG on Homecoming

By: Colin McClellan  |  October 3, 2025  |  Photo: Terry McCaulley

Bellwood-Antis lost last week in heartbreaking fashion on the road against Philipsburg-Osceola, 31-28.

This week the Blue Devils come back home to face Bishop Guilfoyle in a great matchup at 7 p.m. Friday as part of B-A’s Homecoming festivities.

The Blue Devils coming into this week are standing at 3-3 after the loss, while the Marauders are 5-1 and entering the game on a 4-game win streak. Last Saturday they shut out Tyrone and won 26-0.

“BG is a very good team,” said Coach Nick Lovrich. “We need to limit their big plays, win the turnover battle, and have everyone do their job.”

The Marauders this season are a decidedly run-heavy team. They have completing 55 passes for 702 yards, the majority of which have come from sophomore Justin Wheeler. On the ground, BG has 235 carries and 1,622 rushing yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. The Marauders defense this season has had 7 interceptions along with 19 sacks.

This game will come down to if Bellwood can keep being consistent in the run game or if BG’s run defense can stop them.

Bellwood running back Alex McCartney has run for 736 yards so far this season as a dominant runner. But the Marauders run defense is one of the best around. Last week they held Tyrone to just 46 rushing yards, so the game will come down to if the Marauders can hold the Blue Devils.

In that same game, BG ran the ball 40 times and got 238 yards, while completing 12 passes for 118 yards. Wheeler has completed 49 passes this season for 648 yards. The defense also had 3 sacks and an interceptions.

As B-A jockeys for a playoff spot in District 6 2A, it would be easy to get tight down the stretch, but Lovrich is hoping to see the opposite from his team.

“We need to play hard and have fun,” he said.