The Bellwood-Antis junior high football team has been running over all opposition in the early goings of the 2005 season. Until Thursday night that is.
Mount Union came to Bellwood Memorial Stadium to knock down the Little Blue Devils and had the size and talent to do so.
When all was said and done, Bellwood-Antis had just a little bit more, pulling out a 14-0 win.
Randy Pfahler got loose for an 80 yard touchdown early and after a punt return gave Bellwood-Antis a short field, Tim Collier tallied a 13-yard score to cap the scoring. Collier, who was injured late in the game and had to be carried off the field, also recorded the two-point conversion on a pass from Nate Gray after the Blue Devils’ first score.
The B-A defense made sure Mount Union had trouble getting any started offensively throughout the game. The Little Trojans managed to move to the BA-9 midway through the final quarter with a first and goal.
Four plays later the ball was still at the nine, with Bellwood-Antis taking over at the 25, as a result of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Mount Union that cost 15 yards.
“This was the best team Mount Union has had in my 13 years as a coach,” reported Bellwood-Antis coach Charlie Burch. “I want to complement Mount Union. They brought a team here to beat us.
“Our defense played an outstanding game. We kept them out of our end zone and kept frustrating their offense. I am very proud of our kids. They beat us up front. We were fortunate enough to have a couple athletes who were able to step up and deliver. We feel fortunate to get out of this one with a win.”
The Bellwood-Antis eighth grade team (4-0) also stayed undefeated by routing Mount Union 22-0.
Both B-A teams have given up just one TD in their first four games.
The Blue Devils travel to Southern Huntingdon on Thursday, Oct. 6, with the eighth grade game beginning at 4 p.m. and the junior high game following at 6 p.m.
