The moment itself was passion-laden. But given context, it showed where the team’s headspace was despite its struggles. While that touchdown had only cut its deficit to 30 in a season where it has yet to sniff a lead, seeing that semblance of success was enough to show them the hard work is starting to pay off.

“This is awesome,” Pentz told Ransom at that moment.

“It should be,” Ransom responded.

“(Pentz) is a win-first kind of kid. That’s what he wants to do. But that score was something like 52-22 with five minutes left. So, winning wasn’t what was about to happen.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bucktail sophomore Teagan Stone (4) gets past a defender during a high school football game against Cameron County on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Bucktail. The Bucks fell 35-6.

It’s a moment that indicated that the scoreboard has no effect on this Bucktail squad’s drive. Before the eventual 53-28 loss, it had dropped games by scores of 54-6, 35-0 and 45-8 and after, it lost by scores of 50-8, 70-6 and 35-6. But its fight has never once dropped below 100 percent.

“They’re down 30, they’re down 40 and they’re going to be down again this year, I’m certain of that. And they’re going to continue to play hard,” said Ransom after the team’s Week 5 loss to Smethport. “That’s what you can control. Corbin is just one of many examples.”

That was on full display in its latest loss to Cameron County.

On Friday, the Bucks saw an early chance to take a lead evaporate by way of a fumble and their 6-0 deficit grow to four scores in a matter of minutes. They could’ve laid down for the next 32 minutes of game time, surrendering as they limped their way to the end of the rough campaign.

But that’s not what Bucktail football has been about through 2025.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bucktail freshman Levi Stevenson (22) prepares to block for Corbin Pentz (8) during a high school football game against Cameron County on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Bucktail. The Bucks fell 35-6.

It instead put together its best 20-minute stretch of defense so far, stifling back-to-back Cameron County drives – one in the red zone – against its starters and avoiding mercy rule until early in the fourth. Considering defense has been its biggest concern due to the size of the roster, seeing progress there should be a good sign.

Offensively, it struggled to impact the scoreboard but kept picking up first downs, eventually seeing that culminate in a touchdown soon after the Raiders went up 35-0. It had more drives get past midfield (three) than three-and-outs (two), showing multiple dimensions it struggled to find through 2024.

“I could insert any name in the statement of, ‘He just continues to fight; he just continues to play hard,’ and be talking about any kid on our team,” continued Ransom after Week 5.

The attitude is there. And with the flashes its underclassmen have displayed in recent weeks, the potential for talent is there as well.

Prior to Bucktail’s first fumble against the Raiders, Pentz and freshman full back Levi Stevenson had headlined a 16-play effort that saw the Bucks pick up four first downs, convert three third downs and traverse past the Cameron County 30-yard line. One mistake on 16 plays halted it in its tracks, but the first 15 showed what the unit can do when it’s clicking.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bucktail sophomore Teagan Stone (4) gets brought down by a defender after a long gain during a high school football game against Cameron County on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Bucktail. The Bucks fell 35-6.

Stevenson himself had a breakout game after weeks of promise, turning 19 carries into 99 yards while adding a four-yard reception to eclipse 100 total. It’s a performance that showed work-house potential, as the freshman continuously helped set the Bucks up for second-and-short and pick up first downs.

“Levi is the real deal. He’s short, but when it comes to Class A fullbacks, he’s every bit as good as you’re hearing,” said Ransom on Stevenson after Week 5. “He goes out there and demands to be noticed. We have something special to Levi.”

Pentz surpassed 280 passing yards and four touchdowns against Smethport and went 7-of-11 for 70 yards and a touchdown against Cameron County while adding first-down runs of 14 and ten yards.

He stepped into a tough position, starting at quarterback as a freshman off the heels of his brother, Brody, and has shown flashes in just his first season at the helm. Not to mention he’s also shown an ability to limit mistakes, having only tossed one interception through seven starts.

“Probably decision making,” said Pentz when asked what he’s improved on the most since Week 1. “(I feel) much more confident (compared to Week One).”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bucktail sophomore Teagan Stone (4) gets past a defender during a high school football game against Cameron County on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Bucktail. The Bucks fell 35-6.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to promising players set to return in 2026. Pentz’ favorite target in receiver Teagan Stone, a sophomore, has accumulated 373 receiving yards and three touchdowns while adding over 230 yards on the ground.

Junior Aiden Ditty had three receiving touchdowns against Smethport, freshman Jaden Intallura has had strong performances at tailback and both were impactful defensively on Friday, with Ditty having an interception and half a tackle-for-loss and Intallura posting half a tackle-for-loss and sack.

Even the line, which features more seniors than any position group, has underclassmen set to return that are finding their footing. Against Cameron County, they played a crucial role in one of Bucktail’s best outings rushing the ball, opening holes for Stevenson to burst through from start to finish.

Overall, it’s a group that could really pack a punch in the future if it continues to improve at the rate it is. Even with next year’s freshman class likely set to be smaller than this year’s, the foundation is certainly there. It’s just a matter of continuing to build its way upwards.

“Going into Week One, I knew they were going to be young. I knew they didn’t know exactly how to step into varsity football because junior high and varsity football are completely different things,” said senior lineman Evan Ransom on the group. “They’ve been grinding every single week, improving and they’re going to keep improving. In a year or two, I see Bucktail being a great team.”

“The reality is, they’re 14-year-old freshmen playing against 18-year-old men, and that’s a lot to ask. It’s faster, bigger, so it overwhelms them quickly. But I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made this year,” said Ransom after Week 5. “There’s still a lot to learn and a lot of growth, but boy, these kids are ready to take that journey.”

There’s still growing pains to come, as Bucktail faces a tough hill to climb in trying to secure a competitive win before the end of the season. But with so much time for those growing pains to come and go, there’s reason to be excited moving into the future.

LATE-SEASON OBSTACLES

Two-and-a-half quarters into Bellefonte’s Week 8 matchup against Richland, it seemed like the Red Raiders were cementing their offensive identity after seeing ups and downs midway through to season. Even with a key starter out, Quinn Park was having his best start under center, having compiled over 200 yards and two touchdowns at that point.

But Park would go down with an injury, thrusting freshman Alten Howell back into the role. Park was one of two two-way starters for the team to be forced out, and those losses would end up playing a role in its eventual 32-29 loss.

While hanging with one of the top teams in the Laurel Highlands was enough to be proud of the performance, there’s disappointment surrounding the final outcome. Close losses have become customary for the team, who’s looking to build off a District 6 Class 4A title appearance. And the injuries aren’t helping matters.

“We have a really good football team that can’t catch a break,” said Bellefonte head coach Tony Confer when discussing the team’s latest loss.

“We have had three different quarterbacks injured or playing in casts this season and one’s out for the remainder of the season, plus other injuries. Our five losses are to opponents with a combined 30-10 record, and we’ve lost four games by a total of 19 points to Richland, BG, Forest Hills, and BEA.”

Nonetheless, the Red Raiders have still shown signs of growth through their last two weeks, defeating resurgent Philipsburg-Osceola by multiple scores while going toe-to-toe with 7-1 Richland. They seem to be peaking at the right time, and if they can get healthy soon or before the end of the regular season, they could certainly turn heads down the stretch.

Henry Huber is the sports editor at The Express. He can be reached by email at hhuber@lockhaven.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HenryHuber_.