Penns Valley: Rivalry filled with "mystery"

[The Ancient Enemy]

Check this out.



Rivalry renewal filled with mystery
Guy Cipriano- [email protected]
September 3, 2010 9:30am EDT

In the exhaustive search to obtain an edge in high school football, Bellefonte fell into one before pondering tonight’s opener at Penns Valley.

The Red Raiders have a new coach. With Duffy Besch’s arrival comes new offensive and defensive alignments. With those alignments, comes problems for veteran coaches such as Penns Valley’s Martin Tobias.

“I would say there’s a lot of uncertainty,” said Tobias, who begins his 15th season. “The fact that they have a new coach, new staff, new players. ... You don’t really have much track record to go on. There’s just a lot of unknowns and you’re not going to be able to cover all the bases.”

Welcome to Week 1, when many scripts crumble during the first 12 minutes — assuming there’s a script to examine.

For Besch, the first Bellefonte graduate to lead the Red Raiders since 1944, the feeling when the ball flutters into the Spring Mills sky might be unlike any other during his coaching career. Yet Besch claims he hasn’t recently imagined how he might feel when the game starts.

“It’s not something I’m trying to really worry about and focusing on at this point,” he said. “Our main concern is getting the kids ready.”

To complicate matters, the Red Raiders scrimmaged just once — against PIAA Class AAA champion Selinsgrove 13 days ago. The Red Raiders had an intra-squad scrimmage last Friday, the same night most of the state practiced against somebody else.

No, Penns Valley didn’t scout the scrimmage, and Tobias doesn’t know much about the Red Raiders beyond some schematic changes.

“Based on what we have seen,” Tobias said, “there are differences.”

Bellefonte ditched its double-wing offense for a pro-style set. A 4-4 defense has been replaced by a 3-5. Who knows what other changes Besch and his staff are planning?

Even Besch conceded his newness might give Bellefonte a tactical advantage. He then offered a significant disclaimer.

“Football is football,” he said. “When it ultimately comes down to it, over my years of being associated with it, the team that executes the best will have the most points. You can be the new kid on the block all you want, but if the kids aren’t executing and the team doesn’t play as a team, you’re going to struggle.”

Bellefonte’s players know what it’s like to struggle. The Red Raiders return six offensive and six defensive starters from a 1-9 team. The group is driven to redeem itself and Besch lauded his team’s adaptability throughout the preseason.

The schedule provides Bellefonte with a chance to immediately avenge one defeat — the Rams handled the Red Raiders 22-0 last October. However, Penns Valley’s current team looks nothing like the 2009 group. The Rams are replacing 22 seniors and return just three offensive and defensive starters: lineman Elliot Dillon, wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Montminy and running back/linebacker Austin Auman.

Considering its inexperience, Penns Valley might be as unpredictable as Bellefonte.

“Right now, the kids realize they need to do better than they have done,” Tobias said.

Guy Cipriano can be reached at 231-4643.

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Okay, so does that mean that Penns Valley didn't see them scrimmage Selinsgrove, or does that mean that they did not send anyone to scout the intra-squad scrimmage? If they didn't go up there to scout an opponent who has a new coach with new schemes, they deserve to lose this game by 50 points. Go Red Raiders.

[The Ancient Enemy]

I see Penns Valley was obliterated this week by Juniata. Maybe they didn't have the time or inititive to scout this opponent either.

[davesandstorm]

Maybe Penns Valley isn't that good this year. They're usually really tough or really bad. This is a good thing for MU since we have them on the schedule week 10 and need the AA bonus points terribly when it comes down to it.

[CoachBec]

Online tape exchange folks. Thats how the scouting is done.
PV and Juniata was decided on turnovers and field position in the 3rd Q. PV is young and plays tough Defense as usual.

[The Ancient Enemy]

So you are saying both Penns Valley and Bellefonte are on Hudl?