logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
    • Marketplace
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obituaries
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obituaries
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
      • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
        • Marketplace
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home Newsletter Second in PA: Gators fall to Bishop Guilfoyle in Class 1A state title game
    Second in PA: Gators fall to Bishop Guilfoyle in Class 1A state title game
    Content, Daily Headlines, Football, High School, Local Sports, Newsletter, Sports
    December 5, 2024

    Second in PA: Gators fall to Bishop Guilfoyle in Class 1A state title game

    By ANDY CLOSE

    a.close@bradfordera.com

    MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Silver is pretty special, too.

    The Port Allegany Gators traveled to Cumberland Valley High School on Thursday in search of the program’s first state title, but Bishop Guilfoyle had other ideas.

    Hamilton Gates’ 65-yard touchdown run in the third quarter broke a 14-14 tie and started a flurry for BG that ended with their fifth state championship in a ten year span, 41-22 over the Gators.

    “This was an unbelievable atmosphere, the PIAA puts on a good show, we just didn’t play our best football today,” said Port Allegany coach Justin Bienkowski. “It is what it is, but it doesn’t take away what these kids did. We’ll hold our heads high and be very prideful of the product we put on the field this year.”

    Trailing 14-8 at halftime, the Gators went on a 13-play 59-yard drive to start the second half, ending with an Aiden Bliss touchdown 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

    Bliss carried the ball 12 times in the drive and a whopping 47 in the game, finishing with 249 yards on the ground. The one play he didn’t carry the ball was on a critical third-and-3 from the Bishop Guilfoyle 8-yard line, when he had to come out of the game for a play. No matter, as Kellen Veilleux picked up a critical five yards to set up the score.

    The 2-point conversion was no good, and the game was tied at 14-14 with 4:32 to go in the third quarter.

    What followed was a flurry a counter-punch, a knockout if you will, scoring three touchdowns in the span of six minutes. The first punch came just two plays after the Gators tied the game, as jack-of-all-trades Hamilton Gates raced 65 yards down the sideline for a touchdown to put the Marauders up, 21-14.

    “They came back and did what they needed to do,” Bienkowski said. “We just had a couple of guys out of position and in the state finals, teams are going to take advantage of that. That momentum came back their way and it just didn’t seem to come back.”

    The Gators also lost a critical part of their defense, Tristan Kiser, who left the game with an injury in the second quarter.

    “I think it was more of a morale thing than anything else,” Bienkowski said. “Tristan it their brother, he’s a guy that has everyone’s respect. That’s tough to come back from. That’s not an excuse. Bishop Guilfoyle was the better Class A team today, but I’ll play with our team any day of the week.”

    Port Allegany’s next two offensive possessions resulted in a three-and-out and a Brennan Fillhart pass being intercepted by Braden Reilly.

    The BG drives that followed each of those resulted in 80 yards covered in just five combined plays, with Taurean Consiglio scoring his third touchdown of the game on a 26-yard run, and Gates, who lines up all over the field, tossing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Reilly on what was a very windy day in Mechanicsburg.

    “These conditions are perfect for our style of play,” Bienkowski said. “But Bishop Guilfoyle made a point to do things just a little bit better than we did in the trenches today, and they deserve the title.”

    The Marauders extended their lead to 41-14 on Consiglio’s fourth rushing touchdown of the game, a 15-yard run, but the Gators fought to the finish.

    A 67-yard drive ended with Bliss’ 56th and final touchdown of the season, a 19-yard run.

    Unofficially, Bliss finished his junior season with 3,429 yards rushing, the fifth most in a season in state history.

    “Most importantly he’s such a class kid that happens to be a hell of an athlete,” Bienkowski said.

    The first half belonged mostly to the Marauders. Port Allegany was driving on its initial possession, but BG was able to jump on the ball at their own 36 to stall that drive.

    A 5-play, 45-yard drive resulted in Consiglio’s first touchdown of the day from 12 yards out.

    On their next possession, BG went 61 yards on nine plays, capped by Consiglio’s 6-yard run, and it was 14-0 with 7:06 to play in the second quarter.

    Consiglio (10.7 yards per carry) rushed for 160 yards in the game and Gates (14.4) finished with 101.

    “We just did not bring our best today,” Bienkowski said. “And that’s disappointing, because we can’t get that back. But those are life lessons. Sometimes things aren’t going to go your way.”

    What followed, however, was prototypical Port Allegany football that allowed them to get back in the game. Between their final drive of the first half and their first drive of the second half, they chewed up over 13 minutes of game clock, with both resulting in touchdowns.

    The Gators offensive line started to assert itself on a 11-play 70-yard drive that resulted in Bliss’ 3-yard touchdown run that, coupled with his 2-point conversion, made it 14-8 with 1:26 to go before halftime.

    Despite the outcome, a proud Bienkowski swelled with pride talking about what his team accomplished this season.

    “These kids are 26 great human beings for our school and our school and our football program, and they’ve left a lasting legacy getting to the state title game,” Bienkowski said. “The emotions of it all, just forget the score. I’m just sad it’s over. We don’t get to go in for film on Monday, and that part stinks, but I’m very proud of the way our guys kept fighting. They didn’t give up, scoring that last touchdown is a testament to their drive and composure.”

    AT MECHANICSBURG

    BY QUARTERS

    BG 7 7 14 13—41

    PA 0 8 6 8—22

    TEAM STATISTICS

    First Downs: BG: 16, PA: 14; Rushes/Yards Rushing: BG: 29-302, Home: PA-52-257; Yards

    Passing: BG: 49, PA: 12; Comp-Att-Int: BG: 5-7-0, PA: 1-3-1; Penalties: BG: 1-5, PA: 3-20; Fumbles-Lost: BG: 0-0, PA: 1-1; Total Yards: BG: 351, PA 269: ; Offensive Plays: BG: 36, PA: 55

    INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

    Passing: BG Chase Kissell 4-of-6, 22 yards; Hamilton Gates 1-of-1, 27 yards: ; PA: Brennan Fillhart, 1-of-3, 12 yards

    Rushing: BG: Taurean Consiglio 15-160, Hamilton Gates 7-101, Chase Kissell 6-43 ; PA: Aiden Bliss 47-249, Kellen Veilleux 3-8, Brennan Fillhart 1-0, Nick Wilfong 1-(minus)7

    Receiving: BG: Braden Reilley 1-27, Taurean Consiglio 3-20, Hamilton Gates 1-2 ; PA: Kellen Veilleux 1-12

    Scoring summary

    First quarter

    BG – Taurean Consiglio 12 run (Mike Cacciotti PAT), 2:07

    Second quarter

    BG – Consiglio 6 run (Carter Boland PAT), 7:06

    PA – Aiden Bliss 3 run (Bliss 2-point run), 1:26

    Third quarter

    PA – Bliss 2 run (2-point conversion failed), 4:32

    BG – Hamilton Gates 65 run (Cacciotti PAT), 3:29

    BG – Consiglio 9 run (Carter Boland PAT), :9

    Fourth quarter

    BG – Braden Reilly 27 pass from Hamilton Gates (PAT failed), 10:10

    BG – Consiglio 15 run (Boland PAT), 4:01

    PA – Bliss 19 run (Bliss 2-point conversion run), :36

    Tags:

    content daily_headlines football high_school local newsletter sports

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Latest news for you
    Local oil purchasers decrease prices
    Business, Local News
    Local oil purchasers decrease prices
    July 16, 2025
    Two local oil purchasers have decreased the price they will pay for Penn grade crude oil. Effective Monday, American Refining Group and Ergon Oil Purc...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    U.S. Supreme Court clears path for education overhaul
    Local News, Nation & World, PA State News
    U.S. Supreme Court clears path for education overhaul
    By CHRISTINA LENGYEL The Center Square 
    July 16, 2025
    HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state legislators are reacting to Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the Trump administration to c...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Garrity announces new deputy treasurer for communications
    PA State News
    Garrity announces new deputy treasurer for communications
    July 16, 2025
    HARRISBURG — Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced an addition to her administration, naming Steve Chizmar deputy treasurer for communications. “Steve’s e...
    Read More...
    What Pa. can learn from La. about energy policy
    Comment & Opinion, Opinion
    What Pa. can learn from La. about energy policy
    By ELIZABETH STELLE RealClearPennsylvania 
    July 16, 2025
    Louisiana, the third-largest producer of natural gas nationally, has capitalized on President Donald Trump’s energy policies, which represent an about...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Pitt-Bradford tuition to increase 1 percent
    Local News
    Pitt-Bradford tuition to increase 1 percent
    July 16, 2025
    Students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will see tuition increase by 1% for the 2025-2026 academic year. The University of Pittsburgh Boa...
    Read More...
    {"newsletter-daily-headlines":"Daily Headlines", "newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Mosquito spraying underway
    Local News
    Mosquito spraying underway
    July 16, 2025
    SMETHPORT — The McKean County Mosquito Control Program will conduct a truck mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation in Annin, Libert...
    Read More...
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA