2-0 Bellefonte coming to town to face 2-0 Marauders
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By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
After returning to the PIAA's Class 1A classification in high school football this season, the Bishop Guilfoyle Academy Marauders are a program on a mission.
BG made five appearances in the Class 1A state championship game from the 2014 through 2021 seasons, winning four of them, before moving up to the Class 2A level for the past two seasons.
The Marauders won a District 6 title in Class 2A in 2022, but they're feeling right at home back in Class 1A this fall, and they are a strong contender to make another appearance in the state championship game this December at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.
BG won its first two games of the 2024 season, blanking Bald Eagle Area, 21-0, in the opening week and shrugging off a slow start to defeat McCort-Carroll Catholic, 30-12 in Johnstown last week.
Both were Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference games, and BG will try to make it three conference victories in a row when the Marauders roll out the welcome mat for unbeaten Bellefonte (2-0 overall and in the conference) Saturday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Mansion Park.
BG fell behind, 12-0, in the first quarter of its game against McCort-Carroll before storming back.
"I think we've played seven good quarters out of eight so far this season, with the exception being that first quarter against McCort-Carroll,'' BG coach Justin Wheeler said. "But as a team that has high expectations, we want to play every quarter well.''
Bellefonte, under the direction of its second-year head coach Tony Confer, has started this season impressively as well, defeating Central, 18-7, on the road in the season opener, and Chestnut Ridge, 28-11, at home. Both were conference games.
"They have won two really good games against two quality teams,'' Wheeler said of the Bellefonte team. "They played well in both games. They didn't seem to make many mistakes, and they made every play that they needed to make. They're definitely going to be a real tough opponent.''
According to Confer, executing in all phases of the game and reducing or eliminating errors has been vital to Bellefonte's early success this year. The Raiders won just two of 10 games in Confer's first year as their coach in 2023.
"It's been one of those things where last year was kind of a grueling season for us, so to speak, but this year, our kids have really bought in from the get-go,'' Confer said. "I was able to bring in a couple of new coaches this year, and our offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator have all done a really great job, and they've got the kids to start believing in things here.
"Our defense has played extremely well, and we've had a plus six (ratio) in turnovers over the first two games,'' Confer added. "Our offense has played within the system, we haven't been turning the ball over, and we've had some kids step up and make things happen.''
Bellefonte's biggest catalyst has been senior quarterback Liam Halterman, who has completed 16 of 27 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 117 yards on 28 carries and three scores.
"I watched their preseason scrimmage and tapes of their first two games - they're definitely athletic,'' Wheeler said of the Raiders. "Their quarterback can throw and run the ball - he's their leading rusher - and they've got some good skill kids behind him. They're definitely a very good team.''
So is Bishop Guilfoyle, which has the ability to attack opponents with a variety of weapons. Senior quarterback Chase Kissell completed 17 of 22 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in last week's game, in which he completed 10 straight passes in the second half. For the season, Kissell has completed 26 of 35 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns.
Senior running back/wideout Hamilton Gates scored three touchdowns against McCort-Carroll - catching a 37-yard TD pass from Kissell and scoring on 7-yard and 1-yard runs. In BG's opening win over BEA, Gates caught four passes for 85 yards and scored twice, on a run and a reception. Gates has rushed for 111 yards and caught seven passes totaling 135 yards this season.
Senior wideout Braden Reilly caught six passes totaling 69 yards in last week's game, and has eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown this season. Junior wideout Jake Kissell has six catches for 43 yards this season, and senior tight end Nick McCloskey caught three passes for 26 yards, including a touchdown reception, in last week's game.
"They're very physical and they have some guys who are extremely fast to the ball,'' Confer said of the Marauders. "They're big up front, and they have some very good athletes. Their defense has showed a lot of good stuff on the game film. They shut out Bald Eagle Area in their first game, and Bald Eagle Area has been solid for the past couple of years.
"(Bishop Guilfoyle) is a solid team, and has had a solid program,'' Confer added.
Wheeler said that last week's slow start provided a good lesson for his team.
"We know that we can't afford to get behind against a team like Bellefonte, which is playing really well right now,'' Wheeler said.
Bellefonte at Bishop Guilfoyle
When: Saturday, 7 p.m. at Mansion Park.
Records: Bellefonte is 2-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. Bishop Guilfoyle is also 2-0 overall and in the conference.
Coaches: Tony Confer is in his second season as the head coach at Bellefonte, where his overall record is 4-8. Confer was also formerly the head coach at Jersey Shore for two seasons, and his overall career record is now 8-26. Justin Wheeler has a 135-38 record in 14 seasons at Bishop Guilfoyle.
Last week: Bishop Guilfoyle won, 30-12, over McCort-Carroll in Johnstown. Bellefonte won its home opener, 28-11, over Chestnut Ridge.
Last season: Bishop Guilfoyle won, 49-6, at Mansion Park.