High School Sports

Scholastic football preview: Bald Eagle Area (2-0) at Penns Valley (1-1)

Bald Eagle Area (2-0) at Penns Valley (1-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Coaches: BEA — Jack Tobias; PV — Martin Tobias

Last meeting: BEA — 21, PV — 20, last season

Key players: PV — Cameron Tobias, QB; Taylor Collison RB/WR; BEA – Dakota Bartley, RB; Bryan Greene, WR

The skinny: A week after Penns Valley fell 37-15 on the road to a talented, quick and athletic Clearfield squad, the Rams finally play their home opener Friday against the speedy Eagles.

The Rams’ defense held the Bison scoreless for the first quarter, and forced three turnovers in the game, but the offense was ultimately unable to capitalize.

A similar effort against BEA, which ran over Philipsburg-Osceola 40-13 last week, could yield familiar results.

The Eagles, led offensively by senior captains Dakota Bartley and Bryan Greene, will try to push tempo and use team speed to wreak havoc.

BEA scored 87 points in its first two games, although the Rams will likely provide its toughest test this season.

Bartley rushed for 127 yards on 14 carries and added two touchdowns. Bryan Greene carried just five times for 26 yards, but twin brother Bryce picked up the slack.

Bryce caught three balls for 134 yards, including an 80-yard catch, dash and score. He also added 21-yard touchdown run.

Penns Valley must corral the Eagles’ speed with pursuit from multiple defenders.

In addition to gang tackling, the Rams’ offense will also try to sustain long drives designed to keep BEA’s weapons on the sideline.

Senior quarterback Cameron Tobias, who went 11-for-17 for 115 yards and a score against Clearfield, will be needed against a BEA squad that has only allowed 20 points in two games.

Corey Hazel also will be called upon after his 17-carry, 149-yard performance in Week 1 against Juniata.

Last season, BEA nipped the Rams 21-20 and took the Iron Bell when they stacked up Tobias at the BEA 1 with one second on the clock.

A victory Friday would give the Eagles back-to-back 3-0 starts, its first since 1993.

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