Bellefonte football team came into Friday night’s District 6 Class AAAA championship looking to end Juniata’s chance for a fifth championship in a row. Safe to say, mission accomplished.

For the fifth straight year, Juniata’s route to a District 6 Class AAAA championship against Bellefonte. This time, despite a hard fought effort by Juniata, it would be the Red Raiders that would come out of the contest victorious, as they battled ground and pound contest, winning 17-6.

The Indians brought a 6-4 mark into the contest while the Red Raiders finished with a regular season mark of 5-6, despite losing their top two quarterbacks. They muscled their way on the ground to capture their first District 6 title since 2019.

“I’m kind of speechless right now. I have tears for these kids,” said Bellefonte coach Tony Confer. “It’s been such a tumultuous season for us. They found a way to stick together and keep coming back and keep fighting. The coaches did a phenomenal job preparing them this week. It’s a great feeling. I’m so happy for these seniors. So happy for these kids in general. This program has needed this for many years now. It’s great to get it back and be district champions.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte celebrates after beating Juniata, 17-6, in Friday's title game at Mifflin County.

On a wet and rainy night at Mifflin County High School Both teams relied heavily on its running game.

Freshman quarterback Alten Hall led the Red Raiders running attack as he finished with over 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground while his brother Ashten also was successful, rushing for 48 yards and also logging a touchdown.

After an early successful fourth-down attempt, the Red Raiders were able to get the ball at the Juniata 45.

Led by their freshman quarterback, the Bellefonte offense went on an 11-play drive, concluding with an Ashten Howell one-yard touchdown run and a William Oskin kick with 1:40 left in a very quick first quarter.

After that, the defenses kept the opposing offenses at bay until late in the second.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Nash Weaver (14) rushes Juniata's quarterback during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.

Juniata forced the first turnover when they were able to free the ball from a Bellefonte defender, sending it skyward and in the grasp of Shepps, who came up with the turnover.

However, the Red Raiders were able to force their own fumble to end the Indians run at the Bellefonte 39. The Red Raiders then went back to their ‘bread and butter’, continuing to feed the tandem of Alten and Ashten Howell.

The duo and a strong line, pushed the ball downfield and into field-goal range. The Indians stopped the Red Raiders and forced them to a field goal attempt as the first half wound down to its last four minutes. With 3:58 left in the half, Oskin put through a clutch 23-yard field goal, giving Bellefonte a 10-0 lead heading into the break.

Juniata got the ball first but they came up short against a fired up Bellefonte defense. Coming into the second half, Juniata trailed by only 10 points as it kicked the ball to Bellefonte to start the second half.

The Indians’ defense made an early statement as they held the Red Raiders to a three-and-out.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ashten Howell (5) celebrates a rushing touchdown during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.

With the ball in their first drive of the second and starting on their own 33, Juniata started its trek to a comeback attempt. Offensively, the Juniata offense was able to drive downfield to the Bellefonte 39-yard line. But Bellefonte’s Jackson Long made a leaping interception to stop the drive.

Juniata’s defense came up big on its next appearance as they forced yet another fumble, which was recovered by Colten Rowles on the Bellefonte seven. Despite a penalty, Shepps would score two plays later from 12 yards out to close the gap to a four-point deficit. The PAT was unsuccessful but the Indians were on the board with three minutes left in the third.

A late fourth quarter fumble by the Indians put the Red Raiders in strong position to add to its lead. Despite some strong defensive stops by the Indians’ defense, the Red Raiders were able to cash one last one in to extend the lead.

Rolling out to pass the ball, Alten Howell found the middle open for him to score on an eight-yard run. With another Oskin kick, Bellefonte upped its lead to 8:26.

Defensively, both teams battled to the end and neither offense was able to put any more scores on the scoreboard, as the Red Raiders were able to hold on for the win and championship nod.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ben Cherinka (64) signals a turnover during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.

Bellefonte 17, Juniata 6

Bellefonte 7 3 0 7 – 17

Juniata 0 0 6 0 – 6

First Quarter

BEL – Ashten Howell 1 run (William Oskin kick), 1:40.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ashten Howell (6) breaks the goal line for a touchdown during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.

Second Quarter

BEL – Oskin 23 field goal, 3:58

Third Quarter

JUN – Shepps 12 run (kick failed), 3:12.

Fourth Quarter

BEL – Alten Howell 8 run (Oskin kick), 8:26.

TEAM STATISTICS BE JUN

First downs 12 8

Rushes-yards 45-178 114

Total Yards 189 153

Yards passing 11 39

Comp.-att.-int. 2-2-0 4-13-1

Fumbles-lost 4-1 3-2

Penalties-yards 4-20 3-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Bellefonte, Alten Howell 20-115, Ashten Howell 12-45, Quinn Park 5-10, Bentlee Hall 7-6, Jackson Long 1-2. Juniata, Jason Condo 2-(-5),Jasper Shepps 7-31, Devin King 1-6, Tye Rowles 14-42, Cam Bargo 4-10.

PASSING: Bellefonte, Alten Howell 2-2-0 11 yards. Juniata, Condo 4-13-1 39 yards.

RECEIVING : Bellefonte, Ashten Howell 2-11. Juniata – Shepps 2-16, Ty Fahnstock 1-5, Jaden Nealman 1-7.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte celebrates after beating Juniata, 17-6, in Friday's title game at Mifflin County.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte football players pose with the team's District 6 Class 4A championship trophy after beating Juniata, 17-6, in Friday's title game at Mifflin County.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte football team poses with its District 6 Class 4A championship trophy after beating Juniata, 17-6, in Friday's title game at Mifflin County.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ashten Howell (6) tries to break a tackle on a long run during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte offense huddles up during the District 6 Class 4A football championship against Juniata on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mifflin County. The Red Raiders won 17-6.