HYDE — Despite being shorthanded due to injury and illness, the Clearfield Junior Varsity football team battled back from behind four different times to tie visiting Bellefonte 27-27.
The comeback tie enabled the Bison to avoid their first loss of the season, putting their record at 4-0-2 on the season.
Down 7-0 after the first quarter, Brett Zattoni scored on a 28 yard run and Zach Hess tacked on the extra point to tie the game at seven, only to see Bellefonte take back the lead after a 37-yard touchdown pass.
The Bison battled back shortly before the half with a 26 yard catch and run from Barrett Kline to Caleb Freeland. The extra point was missed and Bellefonte held a slim 14-13 lead at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Raiders upped their lead to 21-13 after a short touchdown run, but the Bison answered right back with another touchdown pass from Kline, this one a 26-yarder to Nick Domico. Kline connected with Freeland on the 2-point conversion to once again tie the score at 21 apiece.
Bellefonte went back to work and capped their next scoring drive with another short run, but the Clearfield special teams came up with a blocked kick to leave the score at 27-21 with less than two minutes to play.
After a long kickoff return by Freeland, the Bison set up shop on the Bellefonte side of the field for their final drive of the night.
With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Kline hit Freeland down the hometeam sideline, but Freeland was stopped at the one yard line. Zattoni plunged in for the tying score on the next play. Unfortunately for the Bison, the Raiders returned the favor of the blocked point after and the final was set at 27.
Freeland ended the game with 11 receptions and 133 yards, while QB Kline was 15-19 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Zattoni pounded for 89 yards and two touchdowns as well.
The BIson will be on the road next Monday when they travel to Tyrone.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Bellefonte 22 yd TD Pass. Kick Good, Cl-0 B-7
2nd Quarter
Brett Zattoni 28 yd TD run. Zach Hess Kick Good., Cl-7 B-7
Bellefonte 37 yd TD Pass. Kick Good. Cl-7 B-14
Barrett Kline 26 yd TD Pass to Caleb Freeland. Kick Failed. Cl-13 B-14
4th Quarter
Bellefonte 3 yd TD Run. Kick Good. Cl-13 B-21
Kline 26 yd TD Pass to Nick Domico. 2 Point Conversion Good (Barrett Kline to Caleb Freeland Pass), Cl-21 B-21
Bellefonte 4 yd TD Run. Kick Blocked. Cl-21 B-27
Zattoni 1 yd TD Run. Kick Failed. Cl-27 B-27
Individual Stats
Rushing: Brett Zattoni 18-89 2 TD, Caleb Freeland 2-17, Barrett Kline 3-12, Nick Domico 1-(-7)
Receiving: Caleb Freeland 11-133 TD, Nick Domico 2-30 TD, Brett Zattoni 2-27
Passing: Barrett Kline 15-19 190 yds 2 TD