Penns Valley defeated Bellefonte 34-20 in a second half rally. Bald Eagle fell on the road 7-3 to Clearfield. Philipsburg-Osceola lost 14-10 to Huntingdon at home. State College rallied for a 32-31 victory over Downingtown East.
Let’s take a look at five takeaways from Week 2 of the 2022 high school football season in Centre County.
Bald Eagle is going through a tough stretch
The Eagles lost for the second consecutive time this season. Troy took down Bald Eagle 20-9 last Friday and then the Eagles fell 7-3 to Clearfield this Friday. Bald Eagle has a great deal of starters that returned to the team and many of them double as team leaders. They have the opportunity to return to form next week at Bellefonte, but it takes each and every leader to step up to the plate and win against a tough Red Raiders team.
Bellefonte is a much-improved team from last season
The Red Raiders found themselves up 20-14 at the half on the road against Penns Valley. That’s no easy task for a team that is still building itself. Though there are no pyrrhic victories in football, quarterback Trevor Johnson had 205 passing yards and two touchdown passes and running back Jamal Saunders had 61 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Hold your heads up Red Raiders, better days are coming.
Bellefonte’s Jamal Saunders reaches into the end zone for a touchdown during the game against Penns Valley on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penns Valley is loudly having a strong start to the season
There’s nothing like a second half comeback in football. Penns Valley was down 20-14 at the half against Bellefonte and running back Ty Watson took over the game. He rushed for 79 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. Quarterback Jackson Romig had one touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Brooks in the first half with Colin Niewinski’s blocked punt and fumble recovery in the 34-20 win.
That’s after coming off of a 41-13 blowout of Line Mountain last Friday. Romig went 15-for-28 (53.6 %) on passes for 202 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Watson had 20 carries for 125 yards and two touchdown rushes. If they can keep up the pressure on opposing defenses, the Rams will go a long way.
Penns Valley’s Jackson Romig makes a pass during the game against Bellefonte on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Philipsburg-Osceola has to play 48 complete minutes
Philipsburg-Osceola played 43 minutes of smashmouth football, only to see its 10-point lead erased in a matter of minutes. The defense capitulated to Huntingdon and allowed two quick scores. It’s a far cry from how Philipsburg-Osceola pummeled West Branch 49-20 in Week 1. The Mounties need to regain their confidence that they had in that game. Heading into a Week 3 matchup against a 2-0 Tyrone team on the road, they’ll need all that they can get.
State College has state championship potential
The Little Lions have had the chance to prove why they are more dangerous this year than last. They went on the road to Downingtown East and beat a team that they struggled mightily against last season. State College is coming off of a 42-14 win over Williamsport last week.
Downingtown East beat the Little Lions 42-21 on Sept. 3 last year. State College barely scurried past Williamsport in the District 6 Class 6A championship game on Nov. 11 in 2021. The Little Lions are the real deal.
This story was originally published September 3, 2022 at 11:14 AM.
Kyle J. Andrews is a 2018 graduate of the University of Baltimore, home of the perennially undefeated Bees. Prior to heading to the Centre Daily Times, he spent times as a sports reporter for the Baltimore Sun Media Group, covering the Ravens and Orioles for 105.7 The Fan, Baltimore Beatdown and Fox Sports 1340 AM.
