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BEA football ready for State Opener versus Bedford

By SHAREIK FLOWERS

sflowers@lockhaven.com

WINGATE- The Eagles don’t falter under the bright lights.

In Bald Eagle Area’s biggest game of the season last week they dominated on both sides of the ball en route to a 41-13 win over Westmont Hilltop. The victory completed BEA’s quest for a second straight district crown, but as the season progresses the temperature drops and the competition heats up. It’s win-or-go home for BEA, and the Eagles have every intention of playing in next week’s State Quarterfinal round.

Bald Eagle Area opens the PIAA State Playoffs tonight with a first round matchup against the Bedford Bisons, 7 p.m., at Hollidaysburg High School. It’s BEA’s 13th game of the season– but the team is relishing the chance to play football deep into November.

“Every time you win a championship it means a lot, so the kids are really excited about this,” BEA coach Jesse Nagle said. “They’re now definitely excited and relieved because they felt a lot of pressure in that situation, knowing we were the favorite to win the district title. So I’m really happy for all the kids, personally, because they [overcame] a lot of adversity and injuries and stuff.”

SIZIING UP BEDFORD

Bedford (10-2) secured a spot in the PIAA State Playoffs with an impressive 26-0 shutout win against Westinghouse in the District Championship. The Bisons are riding a four-game win streak, and figure to be BEA’s stiffest test of the year.

“We have to limit their running game and force them to throw the ball,” Nagle said of his team’s opponent. “Hopefully that puts us in a better position because we’re better in the back end, typically.”

Containing Beford’s rushing attack is crucial. The Bisons average 249.3 rushing yards per game, with 48 of their 59 total touchdowns via the ground. Elijah Cook leads the team with 918 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, while quarterback Mercury Swaim has another 737 yards and 15 touchdowns. The loaded backfield features nine athletes with at least one rushing touchdown and another seven players topping the 100-yard rushing mark.

Swaim is under center and has been electrifying at the quarterback position. He’s a dual-threat player who’s thrown for seven touchdowns and 893 yards this season.

Defensively, Bedford is stingy. They’re allowing just 11.9 points per game and recorded a pair of shutouts over the season. They’ve also totaled 12 interceptions and matchup well with the Eagles

“Defensively, they played an outstanding game last week, and much of this year they’ve done a nice job of keeping everything in front of them,” Nagle said of the Bedford defense. “They don’t let you get over top of them, and as people know we like to get over top of teams a lot. And they do a nice job of making you drive the field with 10 or 15-play drives.”

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

BEA’s offense averages 25 points per game, a number that’s skewed south given their numerous injuries and decision to rest their starters the last six quarters of the regular season. On the other end the Bison defense surrenders just 11.9 points per game.

Come tonight will the Eagle offense fold and the Bedford defense prevail? Jaden Jones will be the one to answer that.

The senior quarterback was phenomenal in last week’s District Championship, completing 21-of-28 for 391 yards and six touchdowns. Jones has 22 passing touchdowns on the year, and a win to advance his team to the state quarterfinal round again enhances his legacy as one of BEA’s most prolific quarterbacks.

“He’s one of the better ones we’ve ever had at Bald Eagle, and he’s definitely one of the better kids in the state, we believe,” Nagle said of Jones.

KEY TO VICTORY

Jones was outstanding last week, but he got a major boost from Mathew Reese and Kaden Bittinger as the wide receiver tandem was unguardable against Westmont Hilltop.

Reese finished the game with 191 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Bittinger contributed another 140 yards and three scores. Jones will need to spread the ball between the two in the opening parts of the game to get BEA points early in the night.

“If Jaden’s throwing the ball well, hopefully the [receivers] are going to do what they usually do and get open,” Nagle said. “We try to get our playmakers the ball because we have multiple playmakers who can beat you in different ways.”

BEA WILL WIN IF

“We’re patient on offense, take what they give us and execute and finish our drives,” Nagle said.

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