Since its opening win, Bellefonte football has experienced a tough stretch of games. Despite a promising defensive performance against defending state champion Bishop Guilfoyle in Week 3, it fell short of a skid-capping victory last Friday, picking up its third straight loss against Clearfield in an overtime heartbreaker, 21-18.

However, there was a large silver lining within it. The Red Raider offense may have finally found an answer after weeks of struggles that included two shutouts, and that answer goes by the name of Kaven Smith-Kirk.

Through Friday’s outing, the junior amassed 209 yards on the ground on 24 carries, averaging over 8.5 yards per carry while headlining the team’s rally from 15 down. With that effort, he stands just over 100 yards away from surpassing his total from his sophomore campaign, heading in Friday’s matchup against Penns Valley’s struggling run defense with 326 yards, over eight yards per carry and two 100-yard games.

Coupled with sophomore quarterback Brennan Huntsinger coming own best game on the ground, which saw him turn 12 rushes into 42 yards, the Red Raiders could be in line for their best offensive game of the season so far. They just have to ride the surge, and continued success from a defense that’s surrendered 20 points per game would help too.

Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m. in Spring Mills.