Bellefonte survives Bald Eagle Area in overtime to win Curtin Bowl (photo gallery
Tagged under: Centre County Report, District 6, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Tristan Klinefelter | October 3, 2026
WINGATE — The Bellefonte Raiders defense held the Bald Eagle Area Eagles on fourth down in overtime to survive and walk out of Wingate with a 17-10 victory in the annual Curtin Bowl.
The Raiders faced adversity from the opening play when the Bald Eagle Area defense forced a turnover, giving the Eagles excellent field position. Bellefonte’s defense responded by holding the Eagles to a 26-yard field goal by Andrew Penland, giving Bald Eagle Area an early 3-0 lead.
Bellefonte answered on its next possession, with senior Ashten Howell providing the spark.
Howell took a sweep 41 yards to the Eagles’ 6-yard line; Bentlee Hall punched the ball into the end zone on the following play. The touchdown gave the Raiders a 7-3 advantage.
Bellefonte’s Bentlee Hall with the 6-yard touchdown. Bellefonte 7 Bald Eagle 3. @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/d2ij67L6hF
— Tristan Klinefelter (@TristanK_PFN) October 2, 2026
Bald Eagle Area regained the lead early in the second half when quarterback Chase Cane connected with James Cowan for a 40-yard touchdown, putting the Eagles ahead 10-7.
Bellefonte answered several possessions later when Noah Tomlinson connected on a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.
The Eagles had an opportunity to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Bellefonte blocked a 36-yard field-goal attempt.
Neither team could break through the opposing defense the rest of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
Bellefonte got the first opportunity in overtime and turned to Howell once again. On fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Howell powered his way into the end zone to put the Raiders ahead 17-10.
Bald Eagle Area then had a chance to answer, but the Bellefonte defense came up with one final stop.
Facing fourth-and-goal, the Eagles attempted a pass into the end zone, but Howell made a defensive play on the ball, and the pass fell incomplete to seal the Raiders’ victory.
“I was just ready to push through,” Howell said. “I knew my linemen would be there and be pushing, so I was just pushing right behind. They opened up a gap and it was perfect.”
The victory moved both Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Area to 3-3 on the season.
For the Raiders, the win was especially important after a disappointing performance the previous week.
“We’ve been through so much this year, and this win was huge,” Bellefonte coach Tony Confer said. “We laid an egg last week, but coming here in Week 6 is huge. This game was crucial to get us to .500.”
Confer pointed to last year’s postseason run as an example of what can happen late in the season.
“We limped into the district playoffs with a losing record and ended up with a district championship,” he said. “We have to stay healthy and get healthier. We have some tough games coming up the next few weeks.”
Pics by Jeff Jodon
