Port Jervis tops Middletown in Annual Erie Bell Game

Middletown's Ryheem Tinsley rushing with the football against Port Jervis in the 147th Erie Bell game.

Photo Credit/Nick Elias

It’s the annual matchup every Middletown and Port Jervis resident looks forward to every year: the Erie Bell Game. This is a historic rivalry between two local football clubs dating back to 1897, as both schools prepared to play in the 147th matchup. Since 1953, Middletown and Port Jervis have competed for the Erie Bell, a nod to the Erie Railroad that connects the cities. Middletown leads the series 78-61-7 and looked to improve to 2-1 after achieving an impressive 21-13 comeback win over Warwick. 

Who would win this 147th edition and claim the 340-pound bronze bell? Would Port Jervis defend its home turf at Glennette Field and keep the bell for a second year in a row? Or would Middletown reclaim the bell for the first time since 2023, when they defeated Port Jervis 29-8?

There was only one way to find out.

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It was a packed crowd on a sunny afternoon, as anticipated. The energy electrified as the roar of both crowds permeated throughout Glennette Field on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The fireworks got started with Middletown running back Ryheem Tinsley rushing for a gargantuan 67-yard touchdown to break the first score in an explosive way for the historic rivalry as Middletown took a 6-0 lead early. Port Jervis responded with quarterback Dylan Fox rushing for a one-yard touchdown to give Port Jervis the lead after the field goal.

With the score 7-6 in Port Jervis’s favor, Middletown had the ball on 3rd & 5 with a chance to take the lead. Port Jervis was able to force a turnover on downs to possession on their own 13-yard line. Fox was able to break free for a big scramble for a touchdown to increase Port Jervis’s lead to 14-6 with 1:27 to go in the first.

A big run by Tinsley and an offside penalty by Port Jervis helped Middletown get inside the 40 with about a minute to go in the first as the clock was winding down. Another offside penalty by Port Jervis benefited Middletown, positioning them at Port Jervis’s own 21 heading into the second.

Middletown capitalized on Port Jervis’s mistakes when Tinsley rushed for a 21-yard touchdown to open the second quarter, bringing the score to 14-12 before Russo connected with Aiden Barbosa for a two-point conversion that tied the game at 14-14. 

Middletown quarterback Anthony Russo (4) rushing with the football against Port Jervis on September 20, 2025.

A face mask penalty on Middletown allowed Port Jervis to gain 15 yards at their own 49. Unsportsmanlike conduct by Middletown resulted in Port Jervis gaining an additional 15 yards, placing the ball on Middletown's 20-yard line.

Fox was able to rush for a four-yard touchdown moments later to give Port Jervis a 21-14 lead after making the field goal with 8:11 to go in the first half. Middletown was unable to respond, as Port forced a turnover on downs at their own 27-yard line with two minutes remaining in the half.

After wide receiver Austin Mack caught an 18-yard pass in double coverage, Port Jervis aimed to push the ball downfield for another quick score, which helped set up Fox's fourth rushing touchdown of the game. In a lightning-strike sequence of offense, they covered 73 yards in three plays within 30 seconds, extending their lead to 28-14.

Middletown was able to come back with two explosive plays themselves, as the Russo-to-Barbosa connection was working like a well-oiled machine on the passing plays, allowing them to get inside the 30. Port Jervis was able to prevent a touchdown despite Middletown’s offensive momentum late in the second.

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Port Jervis wasted no time opening the second half, covering over 50 yards in four plays as senior running back Mason Witowski rushed into the end zone to push Port’s lead to 35-14. Port’s defensive pressure proved too much for Middletown during their first offensive drive, resulting in a turnover on downs and setting up 1st & 10 at Middletown’s 34-yard line with 8:16 remaining in the third quarter.

Port scored again after sophomore running back Amato Natale rushed for a touchdown to push Port’s lead to 41-14 as the offensive explosion continued. Middletown advanced the ball downfield during their next offensive drive, aided by two significant first downs from Andy Aristhene that placed them inside the 30-yard line as they aimed to score their first points since early in the second quarter.

Port was able to force a 4th & 2, but Middletown was able to gain 1st & Goal on Port’s five-yard line, where Russo found Barbosa for their second touchdown connection of the game as Port still led 41-21 with 1:08 to go in the third. 

Aiden Barbosa in the endzone against Port Jervis on September 20, 2025.

Photo Credit/Nick Elias

A muffed kick return on Port allowed Middletown to establish position at Port's 49 as they looked to cut into Port's 20-point lead. Russo found Tinsley for a 15-yard reception to set them up at Port’s 34 with the clock winding down. Tinsley was able to carry the ball on a 14-yard rush, establishing Middletown inside the 20-yard line as the team entered the fourth quarter.

Port’s defense responded despite Middletown’s momentum to force a turnover on downs on 4th & 2 to start the fourth quarter. Natale, who rushed for a staggering 81 yards through various Middletown defenders, kept Port's offense moving forward, pushing them back up 27 points to make it 48-21.

Middletown failed to convert on fourth down during their next offensive drive, giving Port possession at their own 34-yard line. Port’s offense continued to keep Middletown’s defense off-balance by finding freshman tight end Benjamin Rivera during a fake handoff pass sequence, which helped Port reach the 50-point plateau in their 55-21 victory.

Witowski would be named the Player of the Game as Port Jervis remains undefeated at 3-0 and claims the Erie Bell for back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007. Meanwhile, Middletown drops to 1-2 on the season after allowing 50 or more points in two of their three matchups. They will look to bounce back Friday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time as they travel on the road again to play Newburgh Free Academy.