B-A loses nailbiter in Huntingdon

By: Brady McConnell  |  September 11, 2025

The Blue Devil football team fell victim to missed opportunities last Friday against the Huntington Bearcats.

The Blue Devils traveled to War Vets Field to take on the Huntington Bearcats. Bellwood-Antis lost in heartbreak fashion with a score of 7-6.

Bellwood’s defense played a strong game, allowing only 152 total yards. On the offensive side, the Devils totaled 278 yards.

But they missed out on several key scoring chances that could have decided the game in their favor.

“We need to all get better doing the small things correctly,” said B-A coach Nick Lovrich. “There are some little things that we could get better at that will make us more successful.”

The Blue Devil’s record dropped to 1-2. Meanwhile, the Bearcats are sitting undefeated at 3-0.

The first quarter started with four three-and-outs between both teams. It was a defensive struggle, and the game was scoreless.

Late in the second quarter, Bellwood Antis was pinned at its own 2-yard line. Bellwood then drove the field and set up for a 26 yard field goal. Unfortunately, freshman kicker Miles Smearman missed just left.

The teams went into the half scoreless.

This game also marked sophomore Brendan McNelis’s first start as a Bellwood-Antis quarter, due to the injury of Bradyn Partner. The junior threw for 52 yards on 7-of-11 passing in the first half.

“I wasn’t to nervous going into the game, but they definitely spiked in the second half,” McNelis said.

The Bearcats started the half off strong with a electric 42-yard return of the kickoff.

On the second play off the half, Huntington’s Elliot Guisler connected with Javaughn Dodson for a 51-yard passing touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Later in the third, Bellwood-Antis forced a fumble, and junior Jackson Dorminy recovered.

The Devils came of this recovery hot. On the first play, junior running back Chase Plummer broke away for a 22-yard run. The play after, McCartney picked up another first down on a 12-yard run.

Spirits looked high for the Blue Devils, but Huntington responded with two sacks back-to-back resulting in a total loss of 16 yards.

Bellwood connected on a pass for the long first down, but it was called back due to an unsportsmanlike conduct call.

Bellwood was forced to punt but Huntington didn’t hold possession for long, because the Devils forced them to a quick three-and-out.

B-A then drove down the field in quick fashion. McCartney scored on a short touchdown, but the try for two was no good and B-A still trailed 7-6.

McNelis was intercepted on the Devils’ next possession.

“It is about all of us improving and working as one unit so that we improve as a team,” Lovrich said. “We need to stick together and help each other so we can reach our goals.”

Next week the Blue Devils will come back home in hopes to get a win streak going against the Central Dragons.