BELLWOOD, Pa. - For one night, Youth Night gives the youngest members of the Bellwood-Antis football program a close-up look at where their own football journeys could eventually lead. As the varsity players celebrated their 30-6 victory over Huntingdon, many young athletes watched from the stands, dreaming of the day they might wear the Blue and Gold under the Friday night lights.
Every time these two teams strap on their helmets, lace up their cleats, and step onto the gridiron, you can count on a physical football game. Friday night was no different.
After a quick three-and-out to start the game for Huntingdon, Bellwood quickly took advantage of short field position after a Brady Crist punt return to the Huntingdon twelve-yard line. From there, the two bruiser running backs Chase Plummer and Alex McCartney traded carries until Plummer ran in for the one-yard touchdown to put the Blue Devils in front.
The Blue Devils added to their lead in the second quarter after a Curtis Shedlock interception led to an impressive ten play, ninety-nine-yard drive. Alex McCartney ended the drive with an eleven-yard touchdown run to send Bellwood to halftime with a 14-0 lead.
With Junior quarterback Brendan McNelis sidelined to start the second half, Senior Brayden Partner took over in a familiar role. Although Bellwood is unsure of the severity of McNelis's injury, Coach Nick Lovrich and staff were pleased with Partner’s efforts. Bellwood continued to dominate the running game, with contributions from Partner (110 yards), Plummer (46 yards), and McCartney (77 yards).
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Brendan. Hopefully, for a speedy recovery. The guys made sure they got this win for Brendan." Head Coach Nick Lovrich was pleased with his team’s effort. "I'm proud of the effort our guys gave – on both sides of the football." Looking ahead, Lovrich added, "We can always improve, there's always little things we coaches see and need to continue to do the fundamentals right."
Alex McCartney added another touchdown to his resume in the third quarter, followed by a ten-yard touchdown run from Jackson Dorminy one possession later. The Bearcats stopped the bleeding when quarterback Reese Hughes ran in for a four-yard touchdown to begin the fourth. A failed two-point conversion made the score 28-6 Bellwood. Later in the fourth, an errant snap for the Bearcats led to a safety that would set the final score at 30-6.
Despite the loss, Huntingdon head coach Tim Lucko was pleased with his team's effort and physicality. "That's been our motto, we have great effort kids, and that's a tribute to them and our coaches. I thought the effort was there tonight." When playing a team like Bellwood-Antis, Coach Lucko added, "The message to them was that their mistake margin is very thin against a good, quality football team.”"Coach Lucko believed the team missed out on some key opportunities to keep them in the ballgame.The Blue Devils (3-0) will travel to Central next Friday to take on the Dragons.
The Bearcats (1-2) will host Bishop Guilfoyle.