Late touchdown lifts Bellefonte past No. 4 Richland (Gallery included)
Tagged under: Centre County Report, District 6, Gameday Hub, News
Tristan Klinefelter | October 17, 2026
(BELLEFONTE) — With 17 seconds left Friday night, the Bellefonte Raiders scored a go-ahead touchdown to defeat the No. 4 team in Class 2A, the Richland Rams, 16-13.
Field position was key in the game, as Bellefonte pinned Richland inside its own 10-yard line several times. The Raiders’ defense also held the Rams’ offense to fewer than 20 points for the first time this season.
On the Rams’ first possession of the game, Bellefonte defensive back Levi Gall intercepted a deflected pass, setting the Raiders up in prime field position. Bellefonte capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run by Ashten Howell. The extra point was no good, and the Raiders led 6-0.
Richland drove down the field on its following possession but turned the ball over on downs at the 9-yard line.
The Raiders added a 29-yard field goal by Noah Tomlinson just before halftime, making the score 9-0.
Richland started the second half with a big kickoff return by Jamere Christian to the 32-yard line. However, Bellefonte defensive back Ashten Howell intercepted a pass to end the Rams’ momentum.
Richland found the end zone late in the third quarter when Christian ran in from 5 yards out. The score made it 9-7 in favor of the Raiders.
Richland took the lead in the fourth quarter when Jacob Regan connected with Christian for an 18-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, giving the Rams a 13-9 lead.
Richland’s Jacob Regan finds Jamere Christian for the 18-yard touchdown. Richland 13 Bellefonte 9. 6:12 to go in the game. @PaFootballNews https://t.co/fn5M7roGtn
— Tristan Klinefelter (@TristanK_PFN) October 17, 2026
On the Raiders’ next possession, Howell connected with Kolton Ammerman in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with just 17 seconds remaining, giving Bellefonte a 16-13 lead.
“When we had to execute things, we did. We’ve had issues with that in the past, but tonight we did, and that’s a testament to these kids,” Bellefonte coach Tony Confer said.
The Rams attempted a Hail Mary to win the game, but Ammerman intercepted the pass, sealing the Raiders’ victory.
Final: Bellefonte 16 Richland 13. @PaFootballNews https://t.co/6MdYRkiIp7
— Tristan Klinefelter (@TristanK_PFN) October 17, 2026
“This ranks right up there as one of the biggest wins in Bellefonte history. Nobody gave us a shot, and our kids believed,” Confer said. “Believe in these kids, believe in this program. I know it’s not always great, but believe in these kids and what they’re doing because they deserve it.”
Bellefonte improves to 5-3 and will take on Bellwood-Antis next Friday. Richland will look to bounce back against Bedford next Friday.
Jeff Jodon Gallery
