TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte football team runs out on the field prior to a home football game against Bald Eagle Area on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium.

PHILIPSBURG – Following its heartbreaking loss in last week’s Curtin Bowl, the Bellefonte football team faced a difficult climb in getting back into playoff contention. The loss put the Red Raiders at a 2-4 record, with multiple tough opponents in their wake.

But against the first slate of that challenging stretch, they were able to shake off that pressure and get back on track. Facing a 4-2 Philipsburg-Osceola coming off a big win over Bellwood-Antis, they’d put together their most complete performance of the season, defeating the Mountaineers, 24-15, and reclaiming the Luther Trophy.

“The Luther Trophy comes back home with us tonight,” said Bellefonte football head coach Tony Confer on the win. “This was one of our county games that we set as a goal each year to win. The kids persevered tonight and never quit fighting. It was a great job by the kids and my coaching staff tonight. This was a total team win.”

After an early third-quarter touchdown run from Kaven Smith-Kirk (23 rushes, 109 yards) that put the team up 14-3, there were times where things got dicey. Philipsburg-Osceola was able to respond and keep itself within striking distance through much of the second half, getting a shot to tie things up deep in the fourth when it got the ball back down 17-9.

But a defensive unit that played well all night maintained that success, holding firm to give Bellefonte the ball back. In response, its offense put together a touchdown drive capped with a Quinn Park touchdown run that upped its lead to 24-9. And though the Mountaineers scored on the ensuing drive with under a minute left, their failed two-point attempt officially put it away.

Defensively, the Red Raiders held a strong Mountie offense to under 20 points – just the third time they’ve failed to breach that point total – and just 181 yards. Their typically potent rushing attack was held at bay, as Bellefonte held it under three yards per carry.

“Our defense played fabulously all night long,” said Confer. “Coach (Bumgardner) had a great game plan and the kids executed it. Our front seven did a tremendous job shutting down their run game.”

While its offense had its ups and downs early, Bellefonte (3-4) picked up an early lead in the first quarter behind a ten-yard touchdown pass from Park to Jackson Long, and its defense did the rest to preserve its lead through the first half. And out of the break, the offense shook itself out of its post-touchdown rut, outscoring the Mounties 17-12 through the second half and never allowing Philipsburg-Osceola to lead.

Park was effective in his first start at quarterback, averaging just over three yards on 19 carries and completing 80-percent of his passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. And after getting held to just 24 yards last week, Smith-Kirk re-established his success from midseason, surpassing 100 yards on the ground for the fourth time in 2025.

“Offensively we had a slow start but made some critical adjustments at halftime and scored 17 second half points. We had solid play from RB Kav’en Smith-Kirk and QB Quinn Park tonight,” said Confer. “Our offensive line did what they needed to do especially when facing 7-8 men on the box a lot tonight.”

The win served as a large step forward for the squad, marking its first over a team with a winning record since its opener. Now, it’ll look to carry that momentum forward as it tries to get back to .500, starting with a tough road test at Richland (6-1) next Friday.

Bellefonte 24, Philipsburg-Osceola 15

BELL 7 0 7 10 – 24

P-O 0 3 6 6 – 15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Bellefonte, Kav’en Smith-Kirk 23-109, TD; Quinn Park 19-60, TD; Ashten Howell 1-4; Jackson Long 1-5.

PASSING – Bellefonte, Quinn Park 4-5-0 80 yards, TD.

RECEIVING – Bellefonte, Landyn Langille 1-61; Jackson Long 1-10, TD.