Bellefonte out plays Bison in first half, but falls late

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 16, 2023

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – It was a tale of two halves for the Bellefonte football team who looked like in the first half as they were starting to come into their own.

After a very tough first three games of the early high school season, the schedule did not get any better Friday for the Bellefonte football team Friday as they locked horns with another tough team, Clearfield.

This contest proved to be very telling of the progress the Red Raiders have made since their season debut.

Offensively, Bellefonte looked sharp and its defense for the most part controlled the first half.

“The first half, I couldn’t have been more prouder of the kids. We were in a dog fight,” said Bellefonte coach Anthony Confer. “Coming out the second half we’re going to get the ball. We felt good about the adjustments that were made at halftime and things we were looking to do.”

Last week, the Red Raiders hung in there against Bishop Guilfoyle, trailing only 14-6 going into the second.

However, miscues proved to be the Red Raiders downfall Friday, falling 26-7.

In just two plays things went from bad to worse as Bellefonte committed two consecutive miscues that resulted in two quick third quarter touchdowns to change the momentum of the game.

“Going back and looking at it. If I would have had the where with all I would have called a time out,” said Confer. “our center after stretching at halftime tweeked his Achilles. Nobody knew it until we were getting ready to line up. He was under the tent. We had a kid in that center’s but he’s normally a tackle. He doesn’t get snaps. If I’d have the where with all to call a time out and get him some snaps. But it happened so fast. But that’s on me, I’ll take that one.”

Early on, the Bison took their first possession and put some points on the scoreboard.

Quarterback Will Dominco ended the first Bison touchdown run on a 5-yard scamper. But the 2-point conversion failed, making it just a 6-0 advantage.

The Bellefonte offense was able to move the ball down the field at times but wasn’t able to cash in anything in in the first quarter.

Clearfield upped its advantage looking to go into the intermission with a comfortable lead.

Again, the Bison went to the running game when Carter Freeland scored on a 6-yard run.

But the Red Raiders swung back the momentum with one flick of the wrist by quartback Liam Halterman.

Halterman, while avoiding the rush, found Robby Slagan in stride and from there for the 71-yard TD pass to reception with 1:31, left to go.

But the Red Raiders weren’t done yet.

With less than 45 seconds left on the clock, Bellefonte had a chance to march down to take the lead after a an interception by a Braden Bickel, who put his team in good field possession.

But Clearfield was able to hold strong as the last seconds ticked off the clock.

But disaster struck one play into the the second half.

On the Red Raiders first play of the third, the ball was snapped a bit high and went in and out of the hands of quarterback Liam Halterman before being scooped up by Freeland. Freeland scooped up the fumble which lead to a touchdown. With the successful 2-point conversion, the Bison led 20-7

On the following kick off, the Bison had a trick up their sleeves and kicked a successful on-sides kick, giving the visitors the ball back.

Clearfield used a delayed run by Dominco to blaze his way downfield for 45-yard run. However, the 2-point conversion failed, upping it to 26-7 contest.

But the Red Raiders kept the Bison from reaching the end zone again in the contest. Putting their pride on the line, Bellefonte would not be scored against the feisty Raiders.

Playing with their back against the wall for most of the night there was no quit in the Red Raider players.

Bellefonte takes to the road next week in a battle with Penns Valley.

Clearfield 26, Bellefonte 7

BG 6 6 14 0- 26

BE 0 7 0 0 – 7

First Quarter

CL – Will Dominco 5-yard run (Conversion failed), 6:28

Second Quarter

CL – Carter Freeland 6-yard run (Conversion failed), 1:45.

BE – Liam Halterman 71-yard TD pass to end Robby Slagan ( Gall Kick), 1:31.

Third quarter

CL Freeland 20-yard fumble recovery ( 2-point conversion) 20-7.

CL – Dominco 45-yard run (conversion failed), 26-7.

TEAM STATISTICS CL BE

First downs 12 10

Total Net Yards 359 177

Rushes-yards 222 64

Passing 137 113

Comp-Att-Int. 10-20-1 9-14-0

Fumbles-Lost. 0-0 5-4

Penalties-Yards. 11-103 8-70

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: CL- Carter Chamberlain 12-86, Brady Collins 7-24, Will Domico 8-85, Carter Freeland 4-18, Nate Owen 3-14 BEL – Sherman Lowry 12-40, Liam Halterman 13-24, Isaac Gall 1-(-3), Grady Garrison 1-3.

PASSING: CL – Dominco 10-20-137. BEL – Halterman 9-14-113.

RECEIVING : CL – Brady Collins 2-11, Carter Freeland 3-73, Colton Ryan 1-2, Caden Bell 2-20, Isaac Putt 2-21.

BEL – Lowry 1-(-1), Grady Garrison 2-19, Robby Slagan 4-92, Jaeden Garbrovsek 1-1, Kayden Cooper 1-2.