Hockey star Mario Lemieux is remembered for – among other things – being the only NHL player ever to score five goals five different ways in one game.
It happened in 1988 when he scored goals at even strength, on the power play, short handed, on a penalty shot and into an empty net.
In his own way, Bellwood-Antis senior Dan Kovac put on a similar show last week against Mount Union. He didn’t score five touchdowns, but he did get three, and they all came in different ways in the first quarter of B-A’s 55-14 victory.
Kovac’s points deluge began with a 47-yard punt return three minutes into the game that gave the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, he was at it again, scoring on a 45-yard pass from Evan Hughes. Finally, with 3:57 left in the first quarter, he intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards for another touchdown.
By the time Kovac was through, so were the Trojans. B-A led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and 48-0 at halftime. But later, coach John Hayes praised Kovac’s play-making ability, saying it jump-started the team early.
“He’s a real good knowledgeable football player,” Hayes said. “Those are great momentum makers and turn breakers. It set the tone early.”
RAMS IMPROVE
Penns Valley is yet to win a game this season, but the Rams showed signs of life offensively last week in a 27-7 loss at Chestnut Ridge.
Spurred by a solid performance by quarterback Matt Johnson, who completed 14 of 33 passes for 158 yards, Valley gained 259 total yards and snapped a nine-quarter scoreless streak that dated back to the fourth quarter of Week 1.
It was the kind of step the Rams needed to take heading into this week’s non-divisional game against West Branch. While the Warriors have one victory to Valley’s zero, it’s a game the Rams should feel confident about winning.
West Branch is allowing over 30 points per game – as is Penns Valley – and its only win came last week over Tussey Mountain.
LEADERS
With his best performance of the season in the Rams’ loss to Chestnut Ridge, Johnson was the Nittany Division’s top passer with a 158-yard breakout game. Tyrone’s Leonard Wilson took over the top spot overall by completing 6 of 12 passes for 117 yards and a score against Bald Eagle Area.
He now has completed 28 of 47 passes for 489 yards, 29 more than BEA’s Camdin Crouse.
Bellwood-Antis’ Josh Kleinfelter again led the division in rushing with 128 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries against Mount Union. He and Tyrone’s Tyler Gillmen were the Nittany Division’s only 100-yard rushers in Week 4.
Kleinfelter also tightened his strengthened his position as the division’s top rusher and scorer, sitting now at 614 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Kovac caught only one pass against Mount Union, but his 45-yard touchdown reception was enough to give him the receiving yardage edge in a week dominated by ground games. However, Tyrone’s Trey Brockett remained the division’s receiving yardage leader with 10 catches for 245 yards.
