Somerset football doubled up by Huntingdon in Fochtman’s home opener

SOMERSET — Huntingdon gashed Somerset for 254 yards on the ground Friday, Sept. 4, in a 28-14 LHAC crossover victory.

“The big thing coming into this week was effort,” said Somerset first-year head coach Braden Fochtman. “We lacked a little bit of that last week. I saw a lot better effort out of our guys this week. There were plays to be made and we missed that opportunity this week. Being a new coach and with a new staff, I feel we are all going to get better as the season goes on.”

The Bearcats tallied the first points of the game on their opening drive. Senior quarterback Reese Hughes recorded a pair of runs covering 62 yards, giving Huntingdon first-and-goal.

Cole Lane was popped just shy of the goal line a play later from the 1-yard line, but tight end Ryder Snare pounced on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was no good. Huntingdon led 6-0 with 8:45 left in the first quarter.

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Somerset had to be innovative in its offensive play calls with wide receiver Caden Stephens out with a knee injury. Coach Fochtman kept it simple with senior leader Drew Miller taking snaps out of the wildcat. He capped a 7-play drive with a 31-yard touchdown scamper. The PAT was short, following a 15-yard penalty on the TD, but the game was tied 6-6 with 6:14 to go.

Miller finished with 165 rushing yards.

Huntingdon answered just two plays later, when Hughes connected with a streaking Javaughn Dodson for a 73-yard touchdown strike. The Bearcats led 12-6 with 5:10 to go after another failed PAT.

The Golden Eagles threatened twice in Bearcat territory during the first half but failed to convert a pair of fourth downs.

Huntingdon extended its lead with 5:18 to go in the half on a Lane 2-yard touchdown run. The Bearcats led 20-6 at the break.

Hughes, who rushed for 107 yards in the first half, went down with an injury and did not return.

Lane added his second TD of the game with 4:37 left in the third on a 1-yard burst. The two-point conversion was good, and Huntingdon led 28-6.

Somerset made things respectable with a Garret Reese to Trae Bhullar 8-yard touchdown with 8:28 to go in the contest. The connected on the two-point conversion as well.

The Golden Eagles had three more possessions but produced no points. Fochtman has had a rude welcoming as a head coach playing a 2025 PIAA 3A semifinalist in Penn Cambria and a playoff team in Huntingdon to begin his career.

“Huntingdon has three great athletes,” Fochtman said. “They have a three-headed animal, and when we stopped one or two the third one got loose. We have to focus on ourselves moving forward and not worry about our opponents. We have to execute and worry about being better every play.”

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset football doubled up by Huntingdon in Fochtman’s home opener