Instant classic: Penns Valley holds onto to late victory over Bellefonte

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 22, 2023

By Kenny Varner

SPRING MILLS – It was an instant Laurel Highlands football classic.

The Penns Valley one loss football team survived a fourth quarter offensive comeback by the maturing Bellefonte team winning 20-19 Friday night.

Leading the way offensively for the Rams was Ty Watson who finished with 116-yards rushing in the night.

The Red Raiders got a strong and impressive all-around effort by quarterback Liam Halterman. Halterman threw for 149 yards and ran for 67 yards on the ground.

Going into the final stanza, the Rams held a 20-13 advantage.

In the fourth, the Bellefonte defense forced a punt by Penns Valley, giving the Red Raiders the ball at their own 27.

The combination of power running by Sherman Lowry and the passing of Halterman helped spark one last run for Bellefonte in the hopes of tying or taking the lead.

Offensively, the Red Raiders rode down the field, posting a 16-play drive, culminating on an 8-yard TD catch by Jaeden Gabrosek, cutting the game to within.

Bellefonte was not satisfied with a tie and went for the 2-conversion.

“I love these kids more and more every week. They just keep showing heart. They keep coming out playing hard and playing hard for each other,” said Bellefonte coach Anthony Confer said. “I teach about about family and caring about each other and the kids are buying into it at this point and it’s showing on the field. “

However, the pass to the corner of the end zone by Lowry just missed the finger tips of the Bellefonte stand out.

On the following kickoff, the Red Raiders went for the on-sides kick, Penns Valley recovered the ball and ran out the clock, holding onto the 20-19 victory.

Coming out of the intermission, the Rams took the advantage midway through the third.

At 7:41 left in the third Jackson Romig launched a 13-yard TD pass to Josh Meyer. Ty Watson’s kick went right through the uprights with 7:41 left in the third.

As the quarter wound down, Bellefonte’s Halterman broke open a 9-yard run at 2:44 to knot the game back up against the Penns Valley Rams.

On the following kick off John Meyer put the Rams back up by seventh as 89-yard kick off return (Watson kick), 2:29.

The progress and growth continue for the young and much improved Bellefonte Red Raider football squad as they continue to settle in to their positions and needs of their own team. Quarterback Liam Halterman continue to take over the leadership under center as the Red Raiders continued to improve in the run blocking department.

Halterman also was able to hit some big passes through the air to keep the Rams defense back on the heels for the first half of the contest.

Defensively, Bellefonte locked in on the Rams quarterback Jackson Romig. Romig threw for only 29 yards on four completions.

Halterman finished the half for the Red Raiders with eight completions for 103 yards passing in the first half. He also had 39 yards on the ground rushing.

Ty Watson was the bright spot for the Rams in the first half, rushing for 76 yards.

Bellefonte scored first in the contest, taking its first possession of the night and going on a 14-play drive that culminated in a Sherman Lowery 4-yard run. However the kick failed with 4:10 left in the first quarter.

The Rams battled right back on their next possession going on an 11-play drive culminating in a Watson 1-yard run. Ironically, their extra point was not successful.

From there, both defenses came up large and controlled things until the two teams went into the intermission.

Bellefonte will battle Bald Eagle next Friday.

Penns Valley 20, Bellefonte 19

BE – 6 0 14 0 – 20

PV – 6 0 7 6 -19

First Quarter

BE – Sherman Lowery 4-yard run (Failed kick), 4:10.

PV -Ty Watson 1-yard run (kick failed), :17.

Third Quarter

PV – Jackson Romig 13-yard TD pass to Josh Meyer (Ty Watson kick) 7:41.

BE – Liam Halterman 9/yard run (Logan Proctor kick), 2:44

PV – John Meyer 89-yard kick off return (Watson kick), 2:29.

Fourth Quarter

BE – Halterman 8-yard pass to Jaeden Gabrosek (2-conversion failed), 3:36

TEAM STATISTICS BE PV

First downs 15 9

Total Net Yards 317 237

Rushes-yards 41-168 25-155

Passing 149 82

Comp-Att-Int. 13-19-0 8-14-0

Fumbles-Lost. 2-1 0-0

Penalties-Yards. 8-50 7-70

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: BE – Sherman Lowry 18-83, Liam Halterman 15-67, Grady Garrison 2-(-1), Ryan Fraley 6-19. PV – Ty Watson 20-116, Jackson Romig 5-39.

PASSING: PV – Jackson Romig 8-13-82, Jared Stover 0-1-0. BE – Halterman 13-19-149.

RECEIVING : PV – Josh Lieb 1-13, John Meyer 5-36, Watson 2-33. BE – Lowry 2-19, Garrison 3-42, Jaeden Gabrovsek 6-77, Nathan Benner 1-0, Keyden Cooper 1-11.