The junior has harbored additional motivation amidst his return to the field, wanting to honor those that repped the jersey before him. It’s safe to say he did that and more on Friday night.

In a gritty, low-scoring rendition of the Curtin Bowl rivalry at Rogers Stadium, Hosband was a game changer, compiling 161 yards of total offense while also securing a timely interception. His two receiving touchdowns helped the Eagles score 14 unanswered points that altered the early narrative, and the defense did the rest, as Bald Eagle got back on the right side of the rivalry with a 19-14 win over Bellefonte.

It was a career night for the junior, featuring career highs in receiving yards, touchdowns and even passing yards. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only did the Eagles take back the Curtin Bowl trophy after falling in 2024, but they also got to .500 for the first time this season, earning their second straight win.

“It’s exciting” said Hosband on playing a key role in the win. “I’m excited I got the minutes on offense. I feel like I worked hard for that this week and hopefully, could get the same amount next week.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area's Luke Hosband (2) works for extra yardage during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bellefonte on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Eagles won 19-14.

“It’s been on our schedule now since last year, that was a big loss for us. We felt that a lot,” said senior Gage Gardner when asked about taking the Curtin Bowl back.

“One of our goals for the season was we’ve got to beat Bellefonte. We felt disrespected, and we came in with a goal. Run the ball down their throat and win the game, and that’s what we did.”

After going up 5-0 early behind a safety, 57-yard gain on a trick play and field goal, the Bald Eagle Area offense was stifled through most of the first half. Bellefonte forced three three-and-outs and with the Eagles’ fast start stalling, it was able to take advantage, taking a 7-5 lead early in the second and doing a sound job protecting it.

But just when it seemed like that lead would carry into halftime, with the Red Raiders also set to get the ball out the break, BEA got one last opportunity. With under a minute to go before the break, it received the ball past midfield. Its offense had stalled, but it’d start to click there.

On four separate occasions, starting quarterback Grady Fisher connected with Hosband, as they steadily worked their way downfield while conserving clock. An improbable sideline grab got the offense in a goal-to-go situation and one play later, Fisher found Hosband open on a fade just past the front-right pie line for a seven-yard score.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area celebrates a Luke Hosband touchdown during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bellefonte on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Eagles won 19-14.

“Our coach saw that we had an advantage there, and we took advantage of that,” said Hosband on the play.

“Everybody thought Grady could only run it so we through it a little more tonight, but I think it’s just that the kids are starting to believe,” said BEA head coach Jesse Nagle when asked about the sub-minute drive. “They’re starting to undertand what we are as a team and buying into what we’re trying to sell.”

That connection between Fisher and Hosband would carry into the team’s first drive of the second half. When backed into a corner on third-and-15, Fisher saw Hosband with a step, trusted him and heaved it up, and Hosband came down with the heave before taking it in for a 57-yard touchdown.

On the day, the pair connected nine times, eight from Fisher to Hosband and one the other way around. The team’s first scoring drive featured a trick play where Hosband received the ball on a reverse before lofting it up to Fisher, who took it 57 yards down the left sideline to set Jackson Millward up for a 21-yard field goal.

“We’re very emotional and get excited in practice, so that’s helped us get those connections and gains and keep that excitement,” said Hosband on that connection. “I’m thankful Grady has focused on quarterback these last few weeks. It’s been going really well.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte defensive line lines up against the Bald Eagle Area offensive line during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Eagles won 19-14.

After Hosband’s 57-yard score put the Eagles up 19-7, it just became a matter of protecting the lead. A slipup allowed Bellefonte to cut the deficit to one score, as freshman quarterback Alten Howell took advantage of broken coverage on a 74-yard touchdown connection to his brother, Ashten. But the Eagle defense held firm from there.

Defensive lineman Gage Gardner led a strong defensive effort that saw BEA hold the Red Raiders to 116 yards, proving to be a problem on the interior and finishing with 4.5 tackles for loss. Freshman Nino Danneker added 2.5 TFLs and a sack, Blake Houck-Lietzell posted two TFLs and a sack and Hosband’s interception made up the game’s lone turnover.

“We stress to our linemen every week to work hard, keep building and never stop or be content,” said Gardner. “It showed tonight.”

For Bald Eagle Area (3-3), the win marked its second in a row that featured well-roundedness, as the defense continued what’s been a great season while its offense did what was necessary. The Eagles also officially won the county, defeating Penns Valley and Bellefonte.

Coming off wins over Philipsburg-Osceola (4-2) and the Red Raiders, it heads into its final four games with plenty of momentum. It’ll look to carry that into a winning record next Friday against Clearfield.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area's Grady Fisher (3) reels in a deep pass during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bellefonte on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Eagles won 19-14.

“We’ve just got to keep working hard, watching film and preparing for the next few weeks,” said Hosband. “Hopefully, we can make the postseason and push for the district.”

“Our goal is to go undefeated for the rest of the year. Week-by-week, we’re trying to just win, win, win until we get that district title,” emphasized Gardner. “We needed a momentum shift these two games, big wins for us.”

For Bellefonte (2-4), the loss stings, as it suffers its third defeat by seven points or less. But there’s still time to bounce back, and it’ll look to do so on the road at Philipsburg-Osceola next week.

Bald Eagle Area 19, Bellefonte 14

Bald Eagle 5 8 6 0 – 19

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area's Nino Danneker (51) wraps up Bellefonte's Alten Howell (5) during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Eagles won 19-14.

Bellefonte 0 7 7 0 – 14

1st Quarter

BEA – TEAM SAFETY, 10:09.

BEA – Jackson Millward 21 field goal, 8:25.

2nd Quarter

BEL – Kaven Smith-Kirk 5 run (Will Oskin kick), 8:17.

BEA – Grady Fisher to Luke Hosband 7 pass (Fisher run), :07.

3rd Quarter

BEA – Fisher to Hosband 57 pass (2-pt no good), 6:07.

BEL – Alten Howell to Ashten Howell 74 pass (Oskin kick), :32.

TEAM STATISTICS BEA BEL

First Downs 12 4

Rushes-yards 33-101 26-8

Passing yards 162 108

Comp-Att-Int 12-22-0 7-12-1

Total yards 263 116

Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 4-25 6-68

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING: Bald Eagle Area, Grady Fisher 21-64; Kollin Cunningham 4-20; Sam Clark 4-13; Nick McCully 4-3; Kaleb Irion 1-(-3). Bellefonte, Kaven Smith-Kirk 13-24; Jackson Long 3-(-3); Alten Howell 9-(-19).

PASSING: Bald Eagle Area, Grady Fisher 10-19-0 99 yards, 2 TDs; Luke Hosband 1-1-0 57 yards; Kaleb Irion 1-2-0 6 yards. Bellefonte, Alten Howell 7-12-1 108 yards.

RECEIVING: Bald Eagle Area, Luke Hosband 8-104, TD; Grady Fisher 1-57; Jackson Millward 1-4; James Cowan 1-2; Kollin Cunningham 1-1; Sam Clark 1-(-5). Bellefonte, Ashten Howell 4-84, TD; Landyn Langille 1-21; Caleb Bartley 1-3; Kaven Smith-Kirk 1-0.

INTERCEPTIONS: Bald Eagle Area, Luke Hosband. Bellefonte, none.

Records: Bellefonte 2-4 (2-4 Laurel Highlands).Bellefonte 3-3 (3-3 Laurel Highlands).

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ashten Howell (6) runs out of bounds after making a catch during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bald Eagle Area on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Red Raiders won 19-14.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Jackson Long (28) works to shed a BEA tackler during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bald Eagle Area on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Red Raiders fell 19-14.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Alten Howell (5) throws a pass to Ashten Howell (6) during the Curtin Bowl rivalry football game against Bald Eagle Area on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. The Red Raiders fell 19-14.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area celebrates following the team's 19-14 win over Bellefonte in the Curtin Bowl rivalry game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area celebrates following the team's 19-14 win over Bellefonte in the Curtin Bowl rivalry game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium.