Bellefonte Keeps Wildcats Winless, 41-14

BELLEFONTE – Bellefonte’s dynamic duo of quarterback Ethan Rossman and running back C.J. Funk more than lived up to their pre-game billing in powering the Red Raiders to a 41-14 win over Central Mountain Friday night.

The victory was the third in a row for Bellefonte (3-1), for the Wildcats a fourth loss in four tries.

Rossman and Funk complemented each other well, especially in the first half when the Raiders bolted to a 27-0 lead. Rossman is a 6-4, 195 pound junior who placed in the PIAA wrestling tournament as a sophomore last winter. Funk is a 6-0, 215 pound senior who is considering a baseball scholarship offer from Penn State.

They both did really well on the brand new Rogers Stadium football turf on Friday. In the first half alone, Rossman ran for 63 yards on 5 carries, Funk 4 times for 65 yards. And Rossman added 154 yards passing on 8 of 16 completions as Bellefonte piled up 325 yards from the line of scrimmage in the first 24 minutes.

Central Mountain battled throughout and did get to the Raider 12-yard line in the first half, but a penalty moved the ‘Cats back and the drive died on downs. The Wildcats did get on the scoreboard on their first possession in the second half, a 62-yard drive highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown pass from Zane Probst to Peyton Johnson. Trey Gentzel made the first of two successful extra point tries and Central Mountain trailed 27-7. But Bellefonte answered with a 75-yard scoring drive to squelch any ‘Cat hopes of getting back into the game.

Central Mountain got its second score late in the fourth quarter when back-up quarterback Brett Gerlach threw an 8-yard touchdown pass that deflected off the intended receiver and into the arms of Keatin Holland waiting in the end zone.

The Wildcats had some success moving the football, ending with 311 yards of offense (to Bellefonte’s 511 yard total). Probst, often under constant pressure, completed 16 of 33 passes for 168 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The sophomore Gerlach was 5-of-6 passing for 66 yards and a touchdown. Fellow sophomore Ryan Pentz rushed 10 times for 43 yards, Probst 8 carries for 40 yards. Johnson finished with 8 catches for 121 yards, sophomore Tyler Weaver with 3 for 52 yards and Conner Soo with 4 for 17 yards.

Meanwhile Rossman and Funk finished with solid numbers. Funk ran 11 times for 96 yards and a touchdown, Rossman with 153 yards on 14 carries and a score. Rossman completed 8 of 21 passes for 150 yards.

Central Mountain returns home Friday, Sept. 20 to host undefeated (4-0) Clearfield. The Bison defeated Huntgindon by a 28-16 score Friday night.