Bellefonte Captures Seventh Stra

Bellefonte Captures Seventh Straight Curtin Bowl

BELLEFONTE --For the seventh year in a row, the Curtain Bowl trophy will be in the possession of the Bellefonte Red Raiders.

Bellefonte's dominance against its rival continued Friday with a convincing 34-12 win over Bald Eagle Area at Rogers Stadium.

The Red Raiders end the regular season at 8-1 and will host Johnstown in the District 6 Class AAA playoffs, beginning Friday. BEA closed out its 2005 campaign at 1-8, losers of 8 straight.

"They gave us a scare. We knew BEA would play tough," said Bellefonte head coach Tom Gravish. "We're just happy to come out of here with a win and the Curtain Bowl championship.

"We feel pretty good heading into the districts. The guys are peaking at the right time."

Josh Gentzel ran for 107 yards and a score, while wide out Nate Carson and quarterback Chris Snare collected two touchdowns each to lead the Red Raiders.

Bellefonte went on the offensive right from the opening kick - marching on a 9-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a one-yard plunge by Snare. Gentzel had runs of 19 and 17 yards to key the drive.

After a BEA punt, the Red Raiders struck quickly. Snare connected with a streaking Carson down the sideline for a 58-yard score. Justin Witherite's PAT made it 14-0 with 5:43 to go in the first.

The Eagles got on the board late in the quarter when QB Camden Crouse threaded the pass to Connor McGee between two defenders for the score. The two-point conversion failed and BEA trailed 14-6.

"Our kids played hard, but we were hurt by penalties. The penalties were a big difference," said Bald Eagle Area head coach Mike Markle. "Bellefonte has great skill position people. They're tremendous athletes and it's tough to defend them. Bellefonte is a good football team."

The Red Raiders made it 20-6 before half when Carson took it in from 11 yards out. The senior caught a 20-yard pass and Gentzel ran for 26 during the drive.

Bellefonte put the game out of reach with two scores in the third quarter. Snare, who finished with 92 yards rushing, took a quarterback draw 53 yards for a touchdown. Gentzel would later score on a three-yard run to make it 34-6.

Bald Eagle Area refused to give up and that perseverance paid off with a fourth quarter score by Camden Crouse from a yard out.

Gary Sowash and Angel Resto ran for 61 and 60 yards respectively to lead the Eagles. Carson has 78 yards on two receptions for Bellefonte. Mike Hewitt had four sacks, while Josh Gentzel collected three sacks and eight tackles to lead the Red Raider defense.

"The big plays from our skill people were the big difference in this game," said Gravish. "That's been the story for our offense all season long. We come up with the big plays when we need them. Now we have to get ready for the playoffs.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Bellefonte 14 6 14 0-34

B-Snare 1 run (Witherite kick), 8:52.

B-Carson 58 pass from Snare (Witherite kick), 5:43.

BEA-McGee 23 pass from Crouse (pass failed), 1:28.

B-Carson 11 run (kick blocked), 4:07.

B-Snare 53 run (Witherite kick), 7:50.

B-Gentzel 3 run (Witherite kick), 1:59.

BEA-Crouse 1 run (run failed), 8:45.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: BEA-Sowash 11-61, Resto 12-60, Kochik 11-34, Crouse 14-10, Stem 2-0. Bellefonte-Gentzel 19-107, Snare 11-92, Robbins 3-16, Carson 1-11, Bechdel 2-1.

PASSING: BEA-Crouse 4-8-0-68. Bellefonte-Snare 3-4-0-88.

RECEIVING: BEA-Kochik 1-35, McGee 1-23, Sowash 1-6, Resto 1-4. Bellefonte-Carson 2-78, Benner 1-10.

INTERCEPTIONS: BEA--None. Bellefonte-None.

TEAM STATISTICS BEA B

Yards rushing 50-165 36-227

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 4-8-0 3-4-0

Fumbles lost 3-0 2-2

Penalties-yards 8-75 6-40

Punts-avg. 3-24.3 1-29

District 6 Roundup:

Portage 22, Winber 21 OT

Ryan Fuller scored a two-point conversion in overtime as the Mustangs won the battle of the unbeatens with the Ramblers (8-1). Portage, now 9-0 on the year, captured its first conference title since 1994 and capped off its first undefeated regular season since 1974.

Bishop Carroll 27, Central Cambria 7

The Huskies ended a perfect season with the victory over the Red Devils. Bishop Caroll (9-0) was led by tailback Paul Forcellini, who had over 100 yards and a score. Central Cambria ended its season at 2-7.

State College 49, Red Land 14

The Little Lions captured their sixth straight win and clinched a berth in the District 3/6 Class AAAA playoffs. State College (6-3) was lead by quarterback Ben Ganter. The senior signal caller was 7-for-7 with two going for touchdowns. The Patriots closed out their 2005 campaign at 2-7.

Tyrone 46, Penns Valley 0

The Golden Eagles geared up for the playoffs with a white washing of the Rams on Friday. QB Leonard Wilson was 8-of-11 for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Tyrone ended the regular season at 9-0. Penns Valley ended the year at 1-8.

St. Mary's 41, P-O 13

Running backs Brian Tamburlin (117 yards) and Scott Schatz (110 yards) led the Flying Dutchmen (5-4) to the victory over the Mounties (2-7) in the non-league contest. St. Mary's quarterback Lucas Wendel was 8-of-10 for 102 yards and two scores. P-O quarterback A.J. Czap passed for 168 yards for P-O.

Ligonier Valley 14, Laurel Valley 7

Stephen Hunt rushed for 104 yards and T.J. Seftas recorded 12 tackles to lead the Rams (5-4) to the victory over the Mounties (4-5). The win marked the first time since 1964 that Ligonier Valley had defeated Laurel Valley.

United 28, Saltsburg 13

Adam Mack rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns, while backfield mateZach Stefanko picked up 95 yards as the Lions (7-2) tuned up for the playoffs with the win over the Trojans (1-8).

Friday's Scores:

Cedar Cliff (Dist 3 AAAA 4-5-0) 33 Hollidaysburg (Dist 6 AAAA 3-6-0) 16

Bedford (Dist 5 AA 7-2-0) 40 Johnstown (Dist 6 AAA 4-5-0) 0

Chestnut Ridge (Dist 5 AA 8-1-0) 20 Moshannon Valley (Dist 6 A 5-4-0) 7

Everett (Dist 5 AA 3-6-0) 13 Williamsburg (Dist 6 A 0-9-0) 6

Northern Bedford (Dist 5 A 6-3-0) 46 West Branch (Dist 6 A 2-7-0) 2

Altoona (Dist 6 AAAA 4-5-0) 13 DuBois (Dist 9 AAAA 8-1-0) 7

Bellefonte (Dist 6 AAA 8-1-0) 34 Bald Eagle Area (Dist 6 AA 1-8-0) 12

Bishop Carroll (Dist 6 A 9-0-0) 27 Central Cambria (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0) 7

Bishop McCort (Dist 6 AA 7-2-0) 42 Cambria Heights (Dist 6 AA 0-9-0) 21

Blacklick Valley (Dist 6 A 4-5-0) 34 Shade (Dist 5 A 2-7-0) 14

Blairsville (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) 41 Homer Center (Dist 6 A 3-6-0) 0

Central Mountain (Dist 6 AAA 3-6-0) 35 Jersey Shore (Dist 4 AAA 1-8-0) 21

Claysburg-Kimmel (Dist 6 A 4-5-0) 32 Glendale (Dist 6 A 3-6-0) 20

Conemaugh Valley (Dist 6 A 7-2-0) 50 Berlin Brothersvalley (Dist 5 A 4-5-0) 0

Forest Hills (Dist 6 AA 8-1-0) 48 Somerset (Dist 6 AAA 0-9-0) 20

Huntingdon (Dist 6 AAA 7-2-0) 28 Shamokin (Dist 4 AA 4-5-0) 19

Juniata Valley (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) 52 Mount Union (Dist 6 A 1-8-0) 14

Lewistown (Dist 6 AAA 5-4-0) 16 Indian Valley (Dist 6 AAA 2-7-0) 13

Marion Center (Dist 6 AA 7-2-0) 34 Penns Manor (Dist 6 A 2-7-0) 0

Penn Cambria (Dist 6 AA 6-3-0) 30 Richland (Dist 6 A 3-6-0) 22

Portage (Dist 6 A 9-0-0) 22 Windber (Dist 5 A 8-1-0) 21 OT

Purchase Line (Dist 6 AA 6-3-0) 28 Northern Cambria (Dist 6 A 2-7-0) 8

Southern Huntingdon (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) 27 Tussey Mountain (Dist 5 A 3-6-0) 0

State College (Dist 6 AAAA 6-3-0) 49 Red Land (Dist 3 AAA 2-7-0) 14

Tyrone (Dist 6 AA 9-0-0) 46 Penns Valley (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0) 0

Westmont-Hilltop (Dist 6 AA 6-3-0) 36 Central (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0) 29

Saint Marys (Dist 9 AAA 5-4-0) 41 Philipsburg-Osceola (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0) 13

Saturday's Scores:

Meyersdale (Dist 5 A 5-4-0) 7 Ferndale (Dist 6 A 1-8-0) 0

Bellwood-Antis (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) 33 Bishop Guilfoyle (Dist 6 A 5-4-0) 13

Ligonier Valley (Dist 6 A 5-4-0) 14 Laurel Valley (Dist 6 A 4-5-0) 7

United (Dist 6 A 7-2-0) 28 Saltsburg (Dist 6 A 1-8-0) 14