Bellwood-Antis junior high football coach Charlie Burch knew his team’s game at Mount Union on Thursday night would be a tough one. Burch said earlier that the Mount Union would be one of the Little Blue Devils hardest games of the year. Last year’s B-A/Mount Union junior high tilt, which B-A won 14-0, was the closest game the undefeated Bellwood-Antis junior high (9-0) would play, in all but the 16-6 final triumph against Bishop Guilfoyle. Coach Burch knew that there would be several players from that game in ninth grade now and ready for the 2006 edition of the game.
“It was an extremely tough game, Mount Union has some very tough, hard-nosed kids, who can really hit,” acknowledged Burch after Thursday’s win 8-0 win over Mount Union. “It was definitely a defensive struggle. It was tough to try and find their weaknesses.”
Bellwood-Antis received the kick and ran two plays from scrimmage before lightning struck.
Burch called for a lead throwback pass which Nate Plummer threw to Jared Minori, who made a fantastic over-the-shoulder catch in stride to complete a 61-yard touchdown that would ultimately be the only score of the game.
Mount Union was able to move the ball at times against the Blue Devil defense, punting only once and going for a first down on five separate fourth-down plays.
One defensive stand stood out in Burch’s mind. The Little Trojans had a first and goal at the BA-9. Bellwood-Antis knocked Mount Union back to the 15, but the Trojans pulled off a pass play for a dozen yards to the BA-3. At that point, Bellwood-Antis stuffed Mount Union for no gain and took the ball away on downs to preserve the shutout.
The B-A defense, led by Travis Taylor, who had five tackles behind the line of scrimmage, was able to stop Mount Union on fourth of those fourth-down plays.
“We are 4-0 and haven’t blown anyone out,” said Burch. “But this was very rewarding, we have scrapped and found ways to win. Southern Huntingdon at home next week should present a formidable challenge.”
The Bellwood-Antis junior high will put their undefeated mark on the line Thursday, Oct. 5, at Bellwood memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.
