Here’s what to look for in Week 2 of Centre County high school football
Centre County football teams are set to take the field once again for Week 2.
This week will feature the season’s first all-Centre County matchup, with Bellefonte traveling to Penns Valley to take on the Rams on Friday. Bald Eagle will host Clearfield in its second game, following a loss last week to Troy. Philipsburg-Osceola will also host following a rout of West Branch, taking on Mountain League rival Huntingdon. State College will go on the road to play against Downingtown East.
Here’s what to know about each team’s matchup in Week 2 of the regular season:
Bellefonte (0-1) @ Penns Valley (1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Coaches: Vaughn Donmoyer (Bellefonte), Martin Tobias (Penns Valley)
Last Meeting: Oct. 1, 2021 (41-14, Penns Valley)
Player to Watch: RB Jamal Saunders (Bellefonte), RB/OLB Ty Watson
How to Watch: NFHS Network
The Skinny: Penns Valley junior running back Ty Watson had one of the best games of his career last Friday, rushing 20 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns and added two receptions for 20 yards against Line Mountain in a 41-13 victory. Junior quarterback Jackson Romig picked up where he left off last season by going 15-for-28 (53.6%) on passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Heading into the game with Bellefonte, the Rams are set to play in their second consecutive home game of the year. The home-field advantage may be overwhelming.
Bellefonte is coming off of a 32-0 loss to Selinsgrove last week. Running back Jamal Saunders has a chance to pick up the pace on his rushing statistics after rushing seven times for 36 yards. He should be able to shake off the rust post-injury as the season goes on. If the defense can hold as it did during the game, just allowing 12 points off of field goals, the Red Raiders will have a chance to hang around in the contest against one of their biggest rivals.
Clearfield (0-1) @ Bald Eagle (0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Coaches: Tim Janocko (Clearfield), Jesse Nagle (Bald Eagle)
Last Meeting: Sept. 3, 2021 (21-0, Clearfield)
Player to Watch: RB/WR Brady Collins (Clearfield), WR/OLB Cam Watikins (Bald Eagle)
The Skinny: Clearfield fell 20-7 against Juniata last Saturday. They also lost quarterback Oliver Billotte to graduation prior to the season, who accounted for a great chunk of the team’s offense. During his career at Clearfield, Billotte had 34 touchdowns as both a passer and rusher. Defensively, he had 99 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Missing him has changed the face of Clearfield’s ferocious defense, but the team will still put up a fight.
Bald Eagle sophomore quarterback Carson Nagle went 18-for-31 (58.1%) on passes for 172 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions against Troy in a 20-9 loss last Friday. Junior wide receiver Cam Watkins had four receptions and 53 yards last week. The duo is expected to make a leap this week and boost their connection that held last season against Clearfield. Bald Eagle struggled offensively last year against Clearfield in a 21-0 loss, but the Eagles will look to put the past in the rearview mirror in Week 2.
Huntingdon (0-1) @ Philipsburg-Osceola (1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Coaches: Shane Thomas (Huntingdon), Jeff Vroman (Philipsburg-Osceola)
Last Meeting: Sept. 10, 2021 (7-6, Philipsburg-Osceola)
Player to Watch: QB Carter Miller (Huntingdon), RB/DB Sam McDonald (Philipsburg-Osceola),
How to Watch: NFHS Network
The Skinny: Huntingdon had no answer offensively against Mount Union last Friday, falling 7-0 on the road. The Bearcats also were outscored 303-46 last season and struggled through a 7-6 loss last season against Philipsburg-Osceola on Sept. 10, 2021.
Philipsburg-Osceola may have found a new horse in sophomore running back Sam McDonald. He had just eight carries in last Friday’s victory over West Branch, but he finished with 88 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Dayton Barger had nearly an identical night, rushing 11 times for 89 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Ben Gustkey made the most of his four carries with 76 yards and two touchdowns. Junior rusher Jakodi Jones had a nice night in his return to the field, with 15 carries for 82 yards.
State College (1-0) @ Downingtown East (1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Coaches: Matt Lintal (State College), Michael Matta (Downingtown East)
Last Meeting: Sept. 3, 2021 (42-21, Downingtown East)
Player to Watch: RB Dante Sheffey (State College), LB Owen Lammey (Downingtown East)
The Skinny: State College freshman running back Dante Sheffey had a opening game to remember in State College’s 42-14 victory over Williamsport. Sheffey had two explosive runs — a 58-yard touchdown with 3:25 remaining in the first quarter and a 21-yard rushing touchdown with 6:41 left in the second quarter. He finished with six carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the game to lead all rushers. Sheffey and senior running back and linebacker JW Scott will be the focal point of the offense with a thunder and lightning approach — Scott with power and Sheffey with speed.
Downingtown East completely dismantled Pennridge on the road last Friday by winning 30-6. Owen Lammey is someone to be aware of as he showed off his chops as a coverage linebacker — reading Pennridge’s quarterback and picking him off. One of the Little Lions’ biggest losses came against the Cougars last season in a 42-21 game at home. This is by all means a revenge game for State College this year.
