The 2024 Red Raider football playoff run has sadly ended after the Raiders lost 20-6 to Juniata in their final game of the season. Although this would far exceed Bellefonte’s expectations for their season, it was still a heartbreaking loss for the Raiders.
The game started shaky as the Raiders took a while to find their footing against this Juniata defense, with back-to-back fumbles on back-to-back drives for the Raiders. The Raiders would limp their way through the first and second quarters, leaving the score 14-0 at the half.
Bellefonte would finally get on the board midway through the third quarter. Senior quarterback Liam Halterman connected with his receiver from 20 yards out, making the score 14-6 after a missed PAT from Andy Gerasanko. This would be the last time Bellefonte would get on the scoreboard against the Indians.
Lane Peiper would march the Indians down the field for one more Juniata touchdown before giving the ball back to the Raiders at the end of the game.
Bellefonte would go on to turn the ball over in the last minute of the game, giving the Indians a chance to run out the clock and take the victory over Bellefonte 20-6, winning them the District 6 championship and a ticket to the 2024 4A state playoffs.
“I feel like this season went overall well, being the starting center and earning seven wins,” senior and starting center Austin Irvin said.
The Raiders managed 7 wins this year, marking their first winning season since 2019 when they went 9-3 and won the district title.
“My favorite part of the season was beating our rivals Bald Eagle or beating Central in the beginning of the season which gave us all momentum going forward,” kicker and senior Andy Gerasanko said.
This would be the end of the road for the Raiders, sending the seniors off on a loss, but you must give credit where credit is due, and this was an amazing season for the Bellefonte Red Raiders.
