BEA Claims second straight PIAA District Class 3A Title with 41-13 win. @CoachJNagle @WestySports

Tagged under: Centre County Report, District 6, Gameday Hub, News

Billy Splain | November 9, 2019

Just a few short weeks ago Bald Eagle Area quarterback Jaden Jones was nursing a shoulder injury as was wide receiver Matthew Reece. Judging by tonight’s performance in the PIAA District six championship game with Westmont at Altoona’s Mansion Park, they’re both feeling pretty good.  Jones threw for 386 yard and six tds while Reese hauled in 6 passes for 192 yards and one of those touchdown passes en route to a 41-13 win. Kaden Bissinger also had quite a night pulling in 10 receptions for 140 yards and three scoring receptions. “I took a lot of heat a couple weeks ago for resting those guys, but we have a bigger goal in mind than just winning a regular season game” said BEA Head Coach Jesse Nagle. With the win, BEA will face Bedford in the first round of the PIAA State Playoffs at a site/date to be determined.

The defending Champs got off to a quick start. Bittinger hauled in his first td of the night from 23 yards out on the seventh play of the game. Westmont was unable to move the ball and punted to Gage McClenahan who returned the punt to the Hilltopper 32. On fourth down from the 20, McClenahan hauled in a short pass, shoved a defender off and sprinted into the endzone givin BEA a quick 14-0 lead with 6:33 left in the first quarter.

BEA now up 14-0 after Jones to @gagew22 30 yard fourth down pass. 6:28. First pic.twitter.com/DtErITDGJA

— WesternPAFootball.net (@WPAFootball) November 10, 2019

Once again, the Eagle defense did their job and forced another Hilltopper punt. Jones dropped back and hit a streaking Reese for a 78 yard td connection down the center of the field to put BEA up 21-0 after the pat. “Give credit to them, they made some big plays” said Westmont Head Coach Pat Barron. “Just credit my guys for keeping the grind while we were behind”. Westmont got on the board with a typical Hilltopper grinding, ground pounding drive. Hudson Holbay plowed in from one yard out to bring Westmont within 14 points. (we mis-identified the runner as Blackburn in the tweet).

Somewhere in this pile is Zane Blackburn for the one yard td. @WestySports now down 21-7. 5:46 second pic.twitter.com/3qsoAnbZZw

— WesternPAFootball.net (@WPAFootball) November 10, 2019

It didn’t take long for BEA to extend the lead back to 21 points. Jones hit Reese for a 48 yard score on the next drive extending the score to 28-7 just a few minutes before halftime. After another BEA score, Roy Dunn gave the Westmont faithful something to cheer about when he slipped around the left side and raced 78 yards to the endzone.  For Westmont, Holbay rushed for 121 yards on 24 carries.

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