Defenses shine in battle for Mountain League supremacy; PV tops Bellefonte 14-6

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: October 5, 2019

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – It was the immovable object against irresistible force Friday night when Penns Valley’s Air Attack led by quarterback phenom Aaron Tobias went up against the Running game of Bellefonte star running back CJ Funk.

Mix in two stingy defenses and what you get is a high school instant classic.Neither defense weren’t at all intimidated by the reputation.

With all the hype coming in on the offensive side of the ball, both defenses reminded the fans that they decide championships.

“I thought this was a great high school football game between two really good football teams. There wasn’t much rom for error for both of us,” said Penns Valley Coach Martin Tobias. “Bellefonte is a tough group, they are a class group. Their kids play hard and play the game the right way. We caught a couple breaks that helped us. They also did a good job shutting down our passing attack.”

In the end, the Penns Valley defense was able to hold the Red Raiders to one touchdown, winning 14-6.

The Rams held Funk in check for most of the evening, rushing for just 57 yards on 19 carries.

It would be a night though, the Red Raiders defense made a statement of its own, holding Tobias to just 191 yards passing, one lone touchdown and two interceptions. Tobias three eight touchdown the weekend before.

Both Tobias interceptions came at the hands of Chris Paloskey, with one in the second and the other in the third.

At stake, a share of the top spot in the Mountain League.

With a win for Penns Valley, the Rams tied the Red Raiders at the top of the league standings

A win by Bellefonte would keep the Red Raiders unbeaten.

In a battle of 5-1 teams, Bellefonte’s only loss came in a non-league home opener to Jersey Shore while Penns Valley lost a nail biter to Clearfield.

The Rams went right to the air to test the Bellefonte defense.

With the ball on its 44, the Rams barely took anytime off the clock, scoring on a 2-play drive.

Tobias found a wide open Austin Fisher for a 38-yard hook up, taking them to the 18.

On the next play, Tobias dropped back to pass and found Stephen Ripka open, making it 6-0 with 11:36 still showing in the opening quarter.

From there, the Red Raiders’ defense adjusted and was able to keep the Rams off kilter the rest of the first quarter.

“When you play good football teams you can’t turn the ball over. We banged up a few things in special teams. I’m the special teams coach and I take full responsibility. I didn’t do a good enough job in preparation this week,” said Bellefonte coach Shanon Manning. “Obviously we left some stone unturned and I will do a better job going forward.”

As the game entered the second quarter, the game became one of field position until a Bellefonte fumble on a punt, giving Penns Valley the ball on the Bellefonte 26.

Making the most of the miscue, the Rams’ offense started to push forward and went on a 6-play drive when Tanner Ilgen got the ball and sprinted into the end zone, giving the visitors a 14-0 advantage with 7:02 left in the half.

But minutes later, Bellefonte returned the favor when Chris Palosky intercepted the ball deep in Penns Valley territory.

With the ball starting at the Rams 16, it took the Red Raiders just 4-plays when quarterback Ethan Rossman called his own number and scored from seven out.

However, the PAT was blocked, making it 14-6.

With seconds left to go I. The half, Bellefonte had one last chance to cut into Penns Valley’s lead but a Rossman pass was intercepted by Fisher with three ticks left.

After the half, both defenses refused to budge, the Rams were able to force the ball over on downs twice in the second half, sending the Red Raiders away empty handed and changing the tempo of the game each time.

Bellefonte held tough as well, allowing only two first downs in the half for Penns Valley.

At the moment, both teams sit atop of the Mountain League with less than half a season left.

It’s going to be quite an end part of the season who the league.

Stay tuned.

Penns Valley 14 , Bellefonte 6

PV – 7 7 0 0 – 14

BE – 0 6 0 0 – 6

Scoring

First Quarter

PV – Aaron Tobias 18-yard TD pass to Stephen Ripka (Gage Ripka Kick), 11:36.

Second Quarter

PV – Tanner Ilgen 7-yard TD run (Ripka Kick), 7:02.

BE – Ethan Rossman 7-yard TD run (Kick blocked), 3:57.

Team statists PV BE

First downs 7 12

Rushes-Yards 17-58 43-108

Passing -yards 191 83

C-A-I 15-27-2 7-21-0

Fumbles 0-0 1-1

Penalties -yards 6-82 3-30

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing: PV -Aaron Tobias 7-30, Seth Baney 7-18, Colton Winkleblech 1-0, Austin Fisher 1-3, Tanner Ilgen 1-7. BE – CJ Funk 19-57, . Mason Grey 1-8, Nick Capparelle 5-7, Trae Bauman 1-(-2), Ryan Lehman 4-7, Ethan Rossman 9-25, Jalen Engel 4-6

Passing: PV – Tobias 15-27-191-2. BE – Ethan Rossman 7-21-83

Receiving: PV – Logan Snyder 5-75, Stephen Ripka 2-58, Gage Ripka 1-(-1), Baney 2-(-1), Austin Fisher 5-60. BE -Grey 2-14, Capparelle 1-5, Bauman 4-64.

Interceptions: BE – Chris Paloskey (2). PV – Fisher (1).