California Trojans Ride 22 First Quarter Points to Back-to-Back Tri-County South Titles

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Brent Ellsworth | October 31, 2026

Fredericktown, PA – California Trojans (8-2, 7-0) are once again Tri-County South champs. They have won back-to-back titles and three of the last four seasons. The Trojans and Beth Center Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1) both entered the game undefeated in conference play, making this the conference championship game. California prevailed, leaving Fredericktown with a 22-20 victory.

The Trojans jumped out early, putting up 22 first quarter points, stunning the Bulldogs on the second play of the game. Sophomore quarterback Brand

on Meier unleashed a perfect pass down the sideline and junior wide receiver Alan Dennis out ran the defense for a 64 yard touchdown pass along the sideline. Dennis finished the game with three receptions for 80 yards. The Trojans were on top early with a 6-0 lead.

Later in the first, the Trojans forced a Bulldogs punt and, once again, Dennis took matters into his own hands using his speed to take the punt 88 yards basically untouched to the end zone, the undefeated Bulldogs found themselves in a 14-0 deficit. 

Still in the first quarter, senior linebacker Colton Lowden picked off a pass from the Bulldog senior quarterback Chase Bebout at the 45 yard line with 5 seconds left in the quarter. The

 Trojans went through the air, this time not to Dennis, but found senior wide receiver Chase Shemansky down the seam and the Trojans were rolling with a 22-0 first quarter lead. 

With 5 seconds left in the 1st quarter Meier connects with Shemansky on the 44 yard touchdown. All California early 22-0 https://t.co/IPphQtZsHS

— Brent E (@BrentWestPa) October 30, 2026

That would be all that California would need, but Beth Center did not go away that easily. The Bulldog defense made adjustments and forced turnovers to claw their way back into the game. Beth Center quarterback Bebout put together a wonderful drive at the end of the half and it resulted with a 5 yard Bebout touchdown run as time expired. The game went into the half with a score of California 22 and Beth Center 7. 

Lowden picks off a BC pass
@PaFootballNews @caltrojansfb https://t.co/ToxvNG0amB

— Brent E (@BrentWestPa) October 30, 2026

The second half was a much different game than the first half. The Trojans were not able to get much going on offense and the big plays were all used up in the first half. The Bulldogs were able to do what they have done all season and play excellent defense and get the running game on track. Junior 

running back Enzo Brown was contained in the first half, but he found space to run in the second half and totaled 158 yards for the game. He scored in the third quarter on a 44 yard rush to cut the lead to 22-14. Then he found the endzone again in the fourth quarter, going right up the middle from 23 yards. Beth Center decided to go for the two point conversion, but a penalty pushed the attempt back.  Bebout dropped back to pass and found Brown, who was stopped just shy of the goal line with California clinging to a 22-20 lead, early in the fourth quarter. 

It was a matter of time, Enzo Brown adds another for Beth Center, kick is good
California 22 Beth Center 14 8:07 left in the 3rd
@PaFootballNews @bethcenterath @enzobrown_25 https://t.co/Oasf4LYxMb

— Brent E (@BrentWestPa) October 31, 2026

Beth Center got interceptions in the second half from sophomore Nicholis Miller, who had 2 on the game, and another by freshman Jaxson Corazzi. 

The Bulldogs drove to the Trojans five yard line, however, a holding penalty sent them back 10 yards and the 32 yard field goal, had plenty of leg, but sailed wide left. With only minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs had another drive stall out and resulted in another field goal attempt from 36 yards and that also was missed, but this time it hit off the cross bar. 

California took possession of the ball and managed to get a first down while Beth Center burned their final timeout. Meier took a knee and ran out the clock. 

Both teams have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, the Trojans will go in as conference champs and host a first round game, while Beth Center will wait to see if they will host a game of go on the road for their first round game.