The lights shone brightly over Bellwood-Antis Friday night, illuminating a field surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of Homecoming. The stands were filled, the community had come together, and the Bellwood-Antis football program had another reason to bring people through the gates - its annual Sideline Cancer game, held to support a local individual battling pancreatic cancer.
Amongst the Homecoming festivities and a community united behind an important cause, the Blue Devils and Philipsburg-Osceola took the field for a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference showdown between two teams that entered the night with identical 4-1 records.
The matchup featured two of the conference's most productive rushing attacks. Bellwood-Antis had been averaging 262.6 rushing yards per game, while Philipsburg-Osceola had been right behind at 254.4. The Mounties rely on Demarcus Law to lead their ground game, while the Blue Devils counter with their three-headed rushing attack of Chase Plummer, Alex McCartney, and Bradyn Partner.
With Homecoming bringing the Bellwood community together and Sideline Cancer giving the night an even greater purpose, the stage was set for a physical battle between two teams separated by just a trickle of rushing yards.
It was Bellwood-Antis who kept their dominating run game grooving and limited the rushing attack of Philipsburg. Bellwood finished the contest with 225 rushing yards in a dominate 33-0 victory. The Blue Devils held Philipsburg well below their rushing yard average. Bellwood coach Nick Lovrich shared how his team was able to limit the Mounties dangerous run game. He added, “We have great team speed on defense. Not just in the secondary, but up front as well. It took all eleven guys to make plays happen.”
After winning the opening coin toss, Philipsburg elected to defer to the second half. With that, it was Bellwood-Antis who started the game on offense. After a seventeen-yard return by Jackson Dorminy, the Blue Devils took over at their own thirty-four-yard line.
On fourth and six, Blue Devil quarterback Bradyn Partner found Jeffrey Waite on a slant route for a thirteen-yard gain to keep the Bellwood drive alive. After a twelve-play drive, consuming six minutes and fourteen seconds, Alex McCartney kicked off the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run. A missed extra point put the Blue Devils up 6-0 with 5:46 left in the opening quarter.
The Blue Devils got the ball back three plays later when Bradyn Partner intercepted Archer Baughman’s pass to set the Blue Devils up with great field position at the Philipsburg twenty-yard line. Four plays later, Chase Plummer scored on a six-yard touchdown run. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Bellwood caused the extra point to be lengthier. After a miss by Smearman, Bellwood was up 12-0 with 2:27 left in the first frame.
On the Mounties second possession, Baughman pitched the ball to speedy running back Demarcus Law, who was stripped by Alex McCartney, and returned twenty yards for the score. On a fake extra point, holder Caleb Plummer, scrambled around the left side and sneaked in for the two-point conversion. Bellwood had a controlling 20-0 lead still in the first quarter. Throughout the first quarter, Bellwood-Antis tallied ten first downs, to Philipsburg’s four.
The Mounties third possession started off encouraging but resulted in a punt. Bellwood took over from their own thirty-three-yard line.
Bellwood picked up right where they left off and continued to dominate the ground game. However, after a holding penalty on Bellwood, they faced a third down and twenty. Bradyn Partner used his arm again to find Chase Plummer for a huge twenty-six-yard pickup to expand the drive. Five plays later, it was Alex McCartney who found the end zone yet again on a seven-yard touchdown run. Miles Smearman converted on the extra point to give the Blue Devils a 27-0 lead.
After a ten-play drive from the Mounties, Curtis Shedlock recovered a fumble at the Bellwood twenty-five-yard line and returned it thirty-eight yards to the Philipsburg thirty-seven. Two plays later, Bradyn Partner found Curtis Shedlock for a touchdown, but a penalty brought it back. Bellwood entered halftime with a 27-0 lead.
The lone score in the second half was scored by Bradyn Partner on a seven-yard quarterback keep. A blocked extra point, set the final score at 33-0.
Not only was this a great night to celebrate Bellwood’s fifth victory, but it was also a night to celebrate Homecoming, support Sideline Cancer, and to recognize the life of Ian Ulrich. Ian was a ninth-grade student at Bellwood-Antis who will be deeply missed by his loved ones, friends, classmates, and community. Nick Lovrich shared his thoughts on the overwhelming support from the Bellwood community. “Our community is good for so many things. Tonight was one of those special nights. We had alumni come back, and the community came together to be able to honor him. Bellwood-Antis is a great place.”
A great place indeed. The BA Quarterback Club donated a remarkable $3,295 to the Ulrich family from proceeds of the 50/50 raffle. Also, the Homecoming court, through the sales of t-shirts, a basket raffle, and donations helped to raise $6,700 for Lora Strayer (BAHS Class of 1981), who is battling pancreatic cancer. It truly was a special night. Congratulations to Julie Kraft for being crowned 2026 BAHS Homecoming Queen!
The Blue Devils (5-1) will travel to Mansion Park next Saturday night to take on Bishop Guifoyle. The game will kick off at 7:00.