The Blue Devils traveled to Wingate Friday night to take on Bald Eagle Area, and while B-A’s offense started off slow, it eventually found its rhythm in the second half in a 32-18 victory.
B-A advanced to 6-3 and upgraded to the 5th seed in the District 6 2A playoff picture. Bald Eagle fell to 4-5 on the season.
The first quarter opened with Bald Eagle opting to receive. The Blue Devils defense created a four-and-out, turning the ball over. The Bald Eagle defense was able to halt B-A’s offense during the first quarter as well.
In the second quarter, Bellwood-Antis pieced together a seven play drive that was capitalized by a 17-yard pass from Holden Schreier to Colin Gibbons to start the scoring. Schreier found Gibbons again on the two-point conversion, providing an 8-0 lead with 4:37 left in the half.
Bald Eagle answered soon after. QB Carson Nagle led a 70-yard drive downfield. Nagle finished the drive with a 5-yard pass to Wyatt Spackman. BEA was stuffed on their two-point conversion attempt, keeping B-A in the lead 8-6 going into the half.
B-A’s offense picked up right where it left off once the third quarter started. The Devils powered their way downfield on four straight rushes, culminating when Cayden Pellegrine broke through on the ground for a 41-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt was good, giving BA a 16-6 advantage.
Bald Eagle worked to return fire. Nagle led a drive all the way down to BA’s 10. However, on a 4th-and-3, the Blue Devils defense came up with a pivotal stop turning the ball over on downs.
Bellwood-Antis continued their momentum with a 90-yard drive. Gibbons led the charge with a 17-yard rush, a 12-yard carry, and a 24-yard rush to BEA’s 25. Gibbons then closed the drive with a 3-yard run up the middle to lengthen their lead 24-6.
“A lot contributed to the success of not only me but the whole team. Coach preaches all 11 men need to do their job for a play to work. On Friday, all 11 men did their job, and the score showed that,” Gibbons said.
BEA responded only seconds later. Nagle connected with Carnell Noone on a 29-yard pass. The following snap Nagle hit Beau Taylor for 52-yards in the endzone. This cut the deficit in half 24-12.
The Blue Devils capped off their scoring with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Schreier hit Gibbons on a screen pass, and Gibbons found the hole from 30-yards out to go up 30-12.
Nagle then worked his way to the red zone where he ran it himself to set the final.
Gibbons ran for 93 yards on 15 carries and had three total touchdowns with 153 all purpose yards. Pellegrine rushed for 91 yards and contributed with 9 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
“We’re all feeling good, and we have a lot of confidence after last week. It’s not as stressful since we already have our playoff spot locked down,” Pellegrine commented.
The Blue Devils now matchup with Bishop McCort Friday in an PHAC Week 10 cross over game. The Crushers are 5-4 and have a -7 point differential going into week 10. The Crushers offensive scheme is more balanced than B-A’s past opponents, slightly favoring the run.
