Blue Devils

Blue Devils, Rockets To Tangle In Class A Battle

By Brian Carson

Last season the Bellwood-Antis football team dropped its opening contest to Tyrone. After the setback, the Blue Devils proceeded to go on an

11-game winning streak that gave them a district championship.

As the 2005 season heads to the mid-way point, one can't help but feel that it's deja vu all over again for head coach John Hayes and his

Bellwood dropped its opener to Tyrone (31-19), but has since rolled off three straight victories in convincing fashion.

If the Blue Devils want to have a chance to go back and defend their title, they must go on the road and clash with an undefeated Southern

Huntingdon squad in a key Class A contest on Friday.

"We are in a very similar situation to last year and we hope to duplicate that, but last year was last year. This year is what counts," said

Hayes, who last week reached the 200-win plateau for his career. "We've had a chance to scout them and they are a very strong, solid football team. They

have two big, strong running backs and a very capable quarterback.

"They have nice size up front, an experienced backfield and defensively they're very aggressive. They like to bring the heat.

Southern is a good, strong football team. We have to be mentally and physically prepared for them."

The Rockets, under the direction of new head coach Ryan Garlock, have rolled to a 4-0 record and are currently ranked second in the latest

District 6-A rankings. Bellwood is slotted sixth and sports a 3-1 mark on the season.

Southern has out-pointed opponents 156-44, which averages out to a 39-11 score per game. The Rockets have defeated Moshannon Valley (15-6),

Northern Bedford (49-20), Juniata Valley (37-6) and Williamsburg (55-12).

The Rockets feature a ground-oriented attack led by Johnny Neuder and Troy Hoover. Neuder has 499 yards and nine touchdowns, while Hoover has rushed for

257 yards and seven scores. Southern Huntingdon ground game has amassed 914 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Southern Huntingdon QB Scott Everhart is 19-of-26 for 369 yards and two TDs. His two favorite targets are Josh Crull and Chris Wertman, who have eight

receptions on the season. The Rockets average 333.5 yards of offense per game.

Bellwood has out-scored opponents 140-59. After the loss to the Golden Eagles, ranked fifth in the state by PFN, the Blue Devils have rolled

over Penns Valley (37-0), BEA (29-14) and Mount Union (55-14).

Leading the way offensively for Bellwood-Antis is tailback Josh Klinefelter. The junior has rushed for 610 yards and 10 touchdowns. Receiver

Dan Kovac has nine receptions for 202 yards and six scores.

Devon Clapper is next with five catches for 58 yards and Troy Brunner has collected four grabs for 24 yards. Quarterback Kyle Drost is

19-of-42 for 315 yards and four TD passes.

"We're improving on offense. I'm not 100 percent satisfied, but we're getting better. They're getting to where they need to be," said Hayes. "We

have a difficult part of the schedule coming and we need to be ready.

"We have some people out of position. We haven't solidified some slots on this team yet. We're developing some depth. I'm pleased with the

progress so far."

Defensively, linebacker Tony Delgrosso has been ripping up opposing ball carriers. The 6-0, 220-pound senior has collected 51 tackles (36 solo),

two sacks and two interceptions. Kovac has two picks and 16 tackles, while Adam Martin is next in line with 27 stops.

"We need to play good, disciplined defense. The kids have to be solid out there," exclaimed Hayes. "We have to tackle well and keep

ourselves in good position.

"Southern has some good players, but we have good players on our side too. These guys are starting to rise to the challenge.they're starting

to get on track. I feel very good about what we're doing now."

The Blue Devils defeated the Rockets 28-0 in 2004.

(Southern Huntingdon coach Ryan Garlock could not be reached for comment. Thanks to Jeff Norris of the Huntingdon Daily News for the Rocket stats)

Friday's Games:

Central Dauphin (Dist 3 AAAA 3-1-0) @ State College (Dist 6 AAAA 1-3-0)

Chambersburg (Dist 3 AAAA 1-3-0) @ Altoona (Dist 6 AAAA 1-3-0)

Williamsport (Dist 4 AAAA 1-3-0) @ Central Mountain (Dist 6 AAA 1-3-0)

Chestnut Ridge (Dist 5 AA 4-0-0) @ Glendale (Dist 6 A 1-3-0)

Northern Bedford (Dist 5 A 3-1-0) @ Juniata Valley (Dist 6 A 3-1-0)

Tussey Mountain (Dist 5 A 2-2-0) @ Mount Union (Dist 6 A 0-4-0)

Bellefonte (Dist 6 AAA 4-0-0) @ Indian Valley (Dist 6 AAA 2-2-0)

Bellwood-Antis (Dist 6 A 3-1-0) @ Southern Huntingdon (Dist 6 A 4-0-0)

Blacklick Valley (Dist 6 A 1-3-0) @ Conemaugh Township (Dist 5 A 1-3-0)

Cambria Heights (Dist 6 AA 0-4-0) @ Forest Hills (Dist 6 AA 3-1-0)

Central (Dist 6 AA 1-3-0) @ Penn Cambria (Dist 6 AA 3-1-0)

Central Cambria (Dist 6 AA 2-2-0) @ Bedford (Dist 5 AA 2-2-0)

Conemaugh Valley (Dist 6 A 4-0-0) @ Shade (Dist 5 A 0-4-0)

Hollidaysburg (Dist 6 AAAA 2-2-0) @ Cumberland Valley (Dist 3 AAAA 4-0-0)

Lewistown (Dist 6 AAA 2-2-0) @ Clearfield (Dist 9 AAA 3-1-0)

Marion Center (Dist 6 AA 2-2-0) @ Northern Cambria (Dist 6 A 2-2-0)

Moshannon Valley (Dist 6 A 3-1-0) @ Everett (Dist 5 AA 2-2-0)

Penn Cambria (Dist 6 AA 3-1-0) @ Central (Dist 6 AA 1-3-0)

Penns Manor (Dist 6 A 0-4-0) @ Ligonier Valley (Dist 6 A 2-2-0)

Philipsburg-Osceola (Dist 6 AA 1-3-0) @ Tyrone (Dist 6 AA 4-0-0)

Saltsburg (Dist 6 A 1-3-0) @ Blairsville (Dist 6 A 4-0-0)

Somerset (Dist 6 AAA 0-4-0) @ Johnstown (Dist 6 AAA 2-2-0)

United (Dist 6 A 2-2-0) @ Purchase Line (Dist 6 AA 4-0-0)

West Branch (Dist 6 A 1-3-0) @ Penns Valley (Dist 6 AA 0-4-0)

Punxsutawney (Dist 9 AAA 0-4-0) @ Huntingdon (Dist 6 AAA 2-2-0)

Saturday's Games:

Bald Eagle Area (Dist 6 AA 1-3-0) @ Bishop Guilfoyle (Dist 6 A 2-2-0)

Bishop Carroll (Dist 6 A 4-0-0) @ Westmont-Hilltop (Dist 6 AA 3-1-0)

Homer Center (Dist 6 A 1-3-0) @ Laurel Valley (Dist 6 A 2-2-0)

Portage (Dist 6 A 4-0-0) @ Ferndale (Dist 6 A 1-3-0)

Richland (Dist 6 A 1-3-0) @ Bishop McCort (Dist 6 AA 3-1-0)

Williamsburg (Dist 6 A 0-4-0) @ Claysburg-Kimmel (Dist 6 A 1-3-0)