FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR BRADFORD MOVES INTO SECOND ROUND OF PIAA PLAYOFFS

WEEK 12 -- PIAA CLASS AAA PLAYOFFS

By Frank Williams – WESB Radio in Bradford

STATE COLLEGE – The Bradford Owls (10-1) opened up a 17-0 halftime lead and never looked back as they dumped previously unbeaten and fourth-ranked in Class AAA in the state Huntingdon (11-1) 38-14 in first round PIAA Class AAA playoff action Friday night at State College.

The Owls defense stuffed the Bearcats run holding them to only 61 rushing yards and forcing two fumbles. Jeff Puglio led the defense with two interceptions.

On offense, senior Elliott George led Bradford with 179 yards rushing and two touchdowns. George also threw a halfback option to split end Ben Copeland who broke a Huntingdon tackle and went 63 yards on the Owls first play of the game. George scored on runs of 66 and 43 yards.

Mike Fair added a 3-yard touchdown run for the Owls, and quarterback Kevin Rose scored on a 1-yard sneak. Ken Ciolek booted a 27-yard field goal for Bradford.

In addition to the 17-0 halftime lead, Bradford led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 31-0 late in the third quarter. Huntingdon scored on a pass plays in the third and fourth quarters.

The Owls offense rolled up 307 yards offensively, controlled the line of scrimmage and had a two-to-one time of possession advantage while the defense shut down the highly regarded Huntingdon running attack.

Next up for Bradford is Perry, a 35-7 winner over Wilmington Saturday. The game time, date and location are yet to be announced.