Middletown Reclaims Erie Bell With Historic 28-7 Victory Over Port Jervis

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

The crisp autumn wind swept across Faller Field as Middletown prepared for one of its most anticipated games of the season. A video montage honoring the school's 2026 Hall of Fame inductees played before the Middie Bears renewed their historic rivalry with the Port Jervis Red Raiders.

Middletown entered the 148th Erie Bell game undefeated and determined to reclaim a trophy it had pursued since 2023. Behind an explosive performance from Ryheem Tinsley Jr., two rushing touchdowns from Jojo Royal, and a relentless defensive effort, the Middie Bears defeated the Red Raiders 28-7 to improve to 4-0.

By the final whistle, sounds of ringing bells and cheering fans echoed throughout Faller Field as Middletown celebrated a long-awaited rivalry victory.

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Middletown Strikes First

Port Jervis won the coin toss and elected to kick off, giving Middletown the opening possession at its own 21-yard line. Andy Aristhene helped establish the running game, but an early holding penalty briefly disrupted the offense. He quickly made up for the setback with a 21-yard rush that gave the Middie Bears a fresh set of downs.

Moments later, Middletown's offense revved into gear as Royal connected with Tinsley on a strike that turned into a spectacular 55-yard touchdown, giving Middletown an early 6-0 lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Jojo Royal launching one deep.

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

Ryheem Tinsley Jr. in the end zone for the touchdown.

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

Port Jervis looked to answer immediately as quarterback Hunter Franck connected with Marcus Bloom for a significant gain near midfield. Bloom found openings in Middletown's defense, breaking off multiple defenders for more than 20 yards as the Red Raiders advanced inside the 30-yard line.

With fewer than three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Port Jervis faced 4th and 5 at Middletown's 12-yard line. Rather than settle for a field goal, the Red Raiders went for it. However, Andre Maragh had other plans, launching himself to bat down Franck's pass to force a turnover on downs and preserve Middletown's early lead.

However, the Middie Bears' next possession was short-lived as Royal threw an interception on the first play. Port Jervis had another opportunity to capitalize, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the Red Raiders back to their own 48-yard line.

The Raiders' miscues, along with Middletown's defense answering once again, forced a punt as the first quarter ended with the Middie Bears leading 6-0.

Royal Extends Middletown's Lead

Tinsley picked up where he left off as the second quarter began, twisting through defenders for a 16-yard gain. The explosive playmaker gave Middletown another first down and helped move the offense toward midfield.

An offsides penalty and increased defensive pressure from Port Jervis temporarily slowed Middletown's momentum. Nevertheless, Royal kept the offense moving, using his legs to advance inside the Red Raiders' 20-yard line.

Royal then found Tinsley through the air, moving the Middie Bears closer to the goal line. Moments later, the senior quarterback sneaked into the end zone for the first of his two rushing touchdowns of the afternoon, extending Middletown's lead to 12-0.

The Middie Bears initially appeared to add two more points on a broken play. After mishandling the snap, Royal recovered as he rushed into the end zone for the conversion. However, a holding penalty on Middletown erased the play and forced the Middie Bears to attempt an extra point instead.

Mario DeGiorgio converted the kick, giving Middletown a 13-0 lead with fewer than two minutes remaining in the half. Port Jervis moved the ball effectively in the closing moments, rapidly advancing into Middletown territory. However, the Red Raiders couldn't finish the drive before time expired.

Middletown headed into halftime leading 13-0, with its defense having denied Port Jervis on every scoring opportunity.

Port Jervis Fights Back

The Raiders opened the second half determined to change the momentum. Franck immediately attacked through the air, but Middletown's defense produced another game-changing play when Jeremiah Sander delivered a crushing hit on Bloom to force a fumble.

The turnover gave Middletown possession at its own 19-yard line, but Port Jervis responded by forcing a quick three-and-out.

The Red Raiders' fight continued with an offensive breakthrough as running back Amato Natale hurdled a defender during a spectacular run. However, the play resulted in a penalty because hurdling an opponent is prohibited under high school football rules.

Penalties continued to disrupt Port Jervis' offensive rhythm, including a holding call that pushed the Red Raiders back to their own 43-yard line. Moments later, Franck helped move the offense inside Middletown's 15-yard line as the visitors searched for their first points.

The Middie Bears nearly intercepted a pass, but Port Jervis maintained possession and benefited from another Middletown penalty. After narrowly avoiding a fumble, the Red Raiders advanced to the one-yard line, where Franck rushed into the end zone for their first touchdown.

Suddenly, Middletown's comfortable halftime advantage had dwindled to 13-7 with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter.

Tinsley responded with consecutive big plays to move Middletown inside the Port Jervis 20. Although the Red Raiders recorded a sack to close the quarter, the Middie Bears entered the final period threatening to extend their lead.

Middletown Takes Control in the Fourth Quarter

With the Erie Bell hanging in the balance, Middletown's offense faced one of its biggest possessions of the season. The Middie Bears advanced to Port Jervis' three-yard line before facing a crucial fourth-and-one.

Following a timeout, Kervens Paraisy powered ahead for two yards, moving Middletown to the one-yard line and giving the offense a fresh set of downs.

Royal finished the job.

The quarterback sneaked into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown, extending Middletown's lead to 19-7. This time, the Middie Bears successfully converted the two-point attempt as Aristhene pitched the ball to Zayden Phillpotts, giving Middletown a commanding 21-7 advantage.

Jojo Royal sneaking into the end zone for one of his two rushing touchdowns against Port Jervis.

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

From the sideline, I could hear the shaking bleachers as Middletown supporters erupted in celebration. With the fourth quarter underway, the Erie Bell felt within reach.

Port Jervis looked to mount another comeback, but Tinsley intercepted Franck, giving the Middie Bears possession once again. Middletown couldn't capitalize on the turnover, however, as a fumbled pitch allowed the Red Raiders to recover the ball with more than four minutes remaining.

But the Middie Bears' defense had one final statement to make.

Aristhene intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown, delivering the decisive blow. The pick-six extended Middletown's lead to 28-7 and sent Faller Field into another frenzy.

As the crowd erupted, I could hear bells jingling throughout the stands. Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind began playing through the stadium speakers, providing the soundtrack to Middletown's long-awaited celebration.

The Erie Bell Returns to Middletown

As the final seconds disappeared from the scoreboard, players rushed onto the field toward the prestigious Erie Bell. The cheers, ringing bells, and excitement throughout Faller Field captured what this historic rivalry means to the Middletown community.

Middletown now reclaims the Erie Bell for the first time since 2023.

Middletown players celebrate reclaiming the Erie Bell.

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

The Middie Bears entered the season with something to prove following consecutive Section IX championship losses. Through their first three games, they demonstrated their ability to dominate opponents and overcome adversity. Against Port Jervis, they delivered another statement in one of the program's most meaningful rivalry games.

Royal accounted for three touchdowns, including two on the ground; Tinsley made an impact on both ends, while Aristhene sealed the victory with his fourth-quarter pick-six as Middletown improved to 4-0.

After three years of chasing the Erie Bell, the Middie Bears finally brought it home.

They’ll now head onto the road next Friday to play Pine Bush at 6 P.M. Eastern time.

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