Bellwood-Antis comes up short to Huntingdon Bearcats on two-point conversion
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HUNTINGDON -- Bellwood-Antis rolled the dice with its best running back and came up just a bit short Friday night.
Junior standout Alex McCartney, who rushed for 132 yards on 22 carries and a 4-yard scoring burst to pull Bellwood to within one point with 6:29 left in the game, was stopped by a swarm of Huntingdon tacklers on his attempt at what would have been a go-ahead two-point conversion run, as the undefeated Bearcats held on for a 7-6 victory at War Vets Field.
Play of the game: After a scoreless first half, Huntingdon broke out to the lead early in the third quarter when senior Elliott Guisler hit sophomore wideout JaVaughn Dodson with a well-thrown pass in stride down the left side of the field and Dodson took it to the end zone. Senior kicker Kaiden Snare added the all-important conversion kick for the Bearcats.
Player of the game: McCartney was a workhorse on the ground in Bellwood's losing effort.
Unsung hero: Sophomore quarterback Brendan McNelis made his first varsity start in place of injured junior Bradyn Partner and performed admirably for Bellwood, completing 12 of 22 passes for 109 yards. "Brenden stepped in in a tough situation as a sophomore making his first varsity start and did some good things tonight. He's a tough kid, he's a smart kid, and he performed pretty well.''
Most vital statistic: Bellwood had sizeable edges in first downs (18-6) and total yards (270-152), but Huntingdon (3-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference) came up big defensively when it needed to do so.
Huntingdon coach Tim Lucko: "That two-point conversion stop was huge. What I am really liking to see from our kids is that they are playing full games, and fighting the whole way through. Bellwood played a hard, physical game, but I am really happy with the effort of my kids, and proud of them. It's nice to come out on the right side of this one.''
Lovrich on the two-point conversion decision: "I have confidence in our placekicker, and I have confidence in our offensive line to make plays for our running game. We had some momentum, and that decision is on me. Huntingdon just did a good job defending that play.''
Dodson on the touchdown catch: "Elliott threw a great ball. I knew that he had it in him, and I was waiting for the opportunity to do something like that. It's my first varsity touchdown. I am blessed.''
Notable: Guisler and junior Kobe Karthen had interceptions for Huntingdon, while Jack Dorminy recovered a fumble for Bellwood. ... The Blue Devils (1-2, 1-2) had a first-and-goal on the Huntingdon 6 late in the third quarter before the Bearcats' defense thwarted the drive by producing two consecutive sacks ... Huntingdon celebrated Cancer Awareness Night, honoring cancer survivors in the community by asking them to stand for a moment of recognition before the game, and remembering those who have passed away from the disease with a moment of silence.
Records: Bellwood-Antis (1-2); Huntingdon (3-0).
Next week: Bellwood-Antis hosts Central Friday night; Huntingdon visits Bishop Guilfoyle Saturday night.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bellwood-Antis 0 0 0 6--6
Huntingdon 0 0 7 0--7
Third Quarter
H--Dodson 51 pass from Guisler (Snare kick), 10:55.
Fourth Quarter
BA--McCartney 4 run (run failed), 6:29.
TEAM STATISTICS BA H
First downs 18 6
Total yards 270 152
Rushes-yards 41-161 26-89
Yards passing 109 63
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 12-23-2 3-7-0
Punts/avg. 2-36 5-37.2
Fumbles-lost 3-0 3-1
Penalties-yards 9-65 4-55
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Bellwood-Antis, McCartney 22-132, Plummer 11-59, Waite 1-5, Gibbons 1-2, McNelis 6-(-37). Huntingdon, Guisler 5-47, Edmiston 8-20, Erdman 10-15, Hughes 2-12, Dodson 1-(-5).
PASSING--Bellwood-Antis, McNelis 12-22-2-109, Shedlock 0-1-0-0. Huntingdon, Guisler 1-3-0-51, Hughes 2-4-0-12.
RECEIVING--Bellwood-Antis, Gibbons 6-53, Shawley 2-25, Plummer 2-10, McCartney 1-11, Waite 1-10. Huntingdon, Guisler 2-12, Dodson 1-51.