Pellegrine’s kick delivers Hornets their first loss
Troy Walker breaks free after catching a pass from Trevor Miller.
September 10, 2019
A packed scene at Memorial Field was the site for Bellwood-Antis’ football game Friday against undefeated Juniata Valley.
Senior Evan Pellegrine was crowned the hero of the game as he kicked in a 21-yard field goal to put the Devils up 3 with 2.5 seconds left.
Pellegrine’s toe proved the difference in the Devils’ 24-21 victory, which allowed them to improve to 3-0 and take an inside track on the ICC title chase.
“We had faith in Evan that he would be able to kick the field goal. It was pretty much an extra point, and he’s been pretty consistent all year,” said Coach Nick Lovrich.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team. We stuck together and played hard,” said Pellegrine, who took on the position of kicker this year after B-A lost Alex Schmoke, who was, safe to say, pretty good. Evan has filled the role for the Blue Devils well, despite being a star lineman.
With the score tied 21-21, senior quarterback sensation Trevor Miller lead his team 54 yards in a clock-consuming, 1:53 drive to get Pellegrine into position for the win.
“We did a really good job of clock management,” said Coach Lovrich. “At the end of the first half we scored in three plays in less than 30 seconds. The kids did a great job of executing the offense. On the final drive) Jon Kost made a huge catch. Zach Mallon made a couple nice catches. Troy Walker started it off with a short catch. It was a total team effort on that drive. Trevor has really started to mature as a quarterback, as a general on the field who is able to get the ball to playmakers, especially in a pressure situation.”
B-A actually led 14-0 in the first half after a Trevor Miller touchdown pass to Kost in the first quarter and a short run by Nick Plank in the second.
Bellwood has improved to 3-0 on the season and now prepare to face Everett. Juniata Valley falls to 2-1 on the season and will face Williamsburg next week. The second quarter ended in a flurry, with the game tied 21-21 at halftime.
Valley scored twice in a row to tie it on a 19-yard pass from Caden Rupert to Hunter Johnson. Walker scored on a touchdown pass from Miller to put B-A back on top with 41 seconds left until halftime, before Grant Musser picked off Miller with 10 seconds left and returned it for a 65-yard touchdown.
B-A travels to Everett Friday.
