Lions too much for Red Raiders

By rscaife
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Updated: October 25, 2014

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Sporting a strong 7-1 record coming into Friday night’s contest against the up and coming Red Raiders, the Chestnut Ridge football team did not find their hosts very formidable early on as the Bellefonte defense loomed large for mostly the entire first half.

But with 14 ticks of the first half clock, the Lions found its way into the end zone for the first time giving the visitors just the sparked they needed to go into the second half with.

After the intermission, Chestnut Ridge found its legs and scored 10 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter to take the 31-0 shut out victory.

However, it was a moral victory for Bellefonte as it held one of the areas highest scoring offense to only seven first quarter points.

“I was proud of them on how they played in both the first and second halves,” Bellefonte coach Shanon Manning said. “None of their scores were walks in the endzone, our kids were hustling and playing very aggressively and going to the ball. To only give up 24 second half points to an offense like that while other teams were having tougher times with them, I am very pleased. I think what hurt us were the play of the special teams.”

Late in the second quarter, the Chestnut Ridge offense started to come alive with less than two minutes left.

Leading the way offensively for Chestnut Ridge was Matt Riley’s game high 115 yards rushing on the day while quarterback Tyler Wiley threw for two touchdown passes, ran for 94 yards and finished with 132-yards through the air.

Bellefonte was led on the ground by Storm Smith’s 28 yards rushing.

Their 2-minute offense worked to perfection as they rolled down the field after starting at the 50.

After holding running back Matt Wiley in check for most of the entire half, the Lions gave it to Tyler Wiley to see if he could get things done through the air. Wiley was able to connect on two clutch passes to teammates Noah Osman and John Deaner to get his team to the 27.

On the ninth play of the drive, Wiley went to the air once again and found Bryan Feathers for the 27-yard TD throw. With the Sean VanMeter PAT, the Lions went into the lockerooms at the half with the lead.

Chestnut Ridge got the ball to start the second half. The Lions picked up where they left off in the first half and began to march down the field on a potential scoring drive.

This drive took only five plays as Chestnut’s lineman were able to open some wholes for both Wileys and the rest of the runners.

At the 9:43 mark, Chestnut Ridge added its second touchdown of the ball game to up its lead to 14-0.

Matt Wiley pounded up through the middle for the 2-yard run.

Bellefonte had trouble with the Lions defense as well all evening as it went for only 87 yards of total offense.

After giving the ball back to the Lions after a three and out on its first offensive possession, Chestnut Ridge was picking up the momentum with each first down. The Lions drove the ball down into the 12-yard line of the Red Raiders.

Refusing to give up another third quarter touchdown, Bellefonte’s defense dug deep and held the Lions, forcing them to kick a field goal.

Going into the final stanza, the Red Raiders were still giving their fans something to cheer about.

Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Lions would get two fourth quarter touchdown’s one running by Tyler Wiley for a 3-yard TD run and a 27-yard hook up between Wiley and Noah Osman.

With one week left in the regular season for Bellefonte, they will host arch rival Bald Eagle Area in the season finale for both teams.