TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Alten Howell (5) prepares to throw the ball during a football game against Bald Eagle Area on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Rogers Stadium. Howell threw three touchdowns in Friday's playoff win over Greater Johnstown.

BELLEFONTE – Fresh off a tight win over Greater Johnstown in Week 10, it was anticipated that Bellefonte would be in for another competitive bout in the rematch. However, with the stakes amplified in the District 6 Class 4A semifinals, it shattered those expectations on Friday.

In front of their home crowd at Rogers Stadium, the Red Raiders dominated the Trojans on both sides of the ball. Jackson Long had a career night, catching three touchdowns and surpassing 100 receiving yards, the offense compiled 238 yards on the ground and the defense posted its first shutout of 2025, as Bellefonte rout Greater Johnstown, 34-0, to keep its season alive.

After years of shortcomings, the Red Raiders have now made consecutive district finals for the first time since 2018, doing so despite being plagued by injuries this season. They’ll once again face Juniata in the championship, hoping to end the Indians’ four-year stranglehold on the crown.

“Tonight’s win was a testament to our kids believing that they can win a district championship. We asked them to be physical and to play like it’s their last game,” said Bellefonte head coach Tony Confer on the win. “Playing the same team twice and beating them both times is a difficult task, but we were able to play complementary football tonight.”

Defensively, the shut out occurred just seven days after the Trojans torched Bellefonte through the air, finished with over 300 yards overall and hung with it until the final possession. This case was a completely different story, as a complete team effort shut down a Trojan offense with momentum for the game’s entirety.

“The entire defense played lights out tonight. They knew the game plan and executed it well,” said Confer. “Guys like Logan Rarrick, Ian Valimont, Sam Witmer, Mason Englert, Ben Cherinka, Carson Crawford, Gavin DuFour, Ashten Howell, Nash Weaver, Jackson Long, Parker Jodon and Landyn Langille helped secure the shutout.”

And after a defensive touchdown aided last week’s season-high (31 points), the Red Raider offense did all the scoring on its own this Friday. It put up 17 points by halftime, replicating that through the final two quarters, and compiled over 350 yards overall.

Freshman quarterback Alten Howell had his most efficient passing performance, completing six of his ten passes for 119 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Four of those completions and all three of those touchdowns went to Long, who finished with a career-high 109 receiving yards.

“It was great to see Alten throw the ball with confidence tonight, which is something he struggled with last week,” said Confer when discussing the team’s offensive success. “He has matured in the QB role over the last two weeks. And I can’t say enough about Jackson Long’s performance today.”

His offensive line – consisting of Logan Rarrick, Chase Royer, Ben Cherinka, Ian Valimont, and Sam Witmer – kept him protected all night, likely aiding that bolstered confidence. In the process, they also consistently opened holes for Bellefonte’s carousel of backs, who combined 238 yards while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Ashten Howell led the way there, turning 11 carries into 85 yards and a third-quarter score. Alten Howell added 50 yards; Bentlee Hall averaged over eight yards per carry, finishing with 65 yards on eight attempts; and Isaac Gall and Parker Jodon combined for 38 yards on nine carries.

All in all, it was Bellefonte’s most dominant performance of the season, one which couldn’t have come at a better time, at least for now. It’ll look to carry that momentum into what should be a tough outing against Juniata (6-4). Last year’s matchup saw the Red Raiders compete well, falling 20-6.

Next Friday’s District 6 Class 4A championship will take place at 7 p.m., with the location still yet to be determined.

Bellefonte 34, Greater Johnstown 0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Bellefonte, Ashten Howell 11-85, TD; Bentlee Hall 8-65; Alten Howell 14-50, Isaac Gall 7-27; Parker Jodon 2-11. TOTAL 42-238, TD.

PASSING – Bellefonte, Alten Howell 6-10-0 119 yards, 3 TDs; Ashten Howell 0-1-0 0 yards.

RECEIVING – Jackson Long 4-109, 3 TDs; Gavin DuFour 1-10; Ashten Howell 1-0.