BUTLER TWP — Seven turnovers, 21 penalties — and one rather strange decision.

It all added up to the semi-pro Butler County Bears being successful in their first-ever football game at Art Bernardi Stadium Saturday night. The Bears defeated the Pittsburgh Stealth, 26-20, in front of a few hundred fans.

The victory improved the hosts to 2-0 and was almost gift-wrapped by an odd gamble, courtesy of the Stealth.

With the game even at 20, Pittsburgh faced a fourth-and-3 from its own 13-yard line with 1:53 remaining. Rather than punt, the Stealth decided to go for the first down. Quarterback Jason Young skipped a pass in front of an open receiver and the Bears gained possession.

Two plays later, Moniteau graduate Justin Sanderson scored on an 8-yard run. A bad snap on the PAT forced an errant pass by the kicker, but the damage was done.

“I was shocked when I saw them line up to go for it,” Bears coach Kirk Berbigler said. “We had our punt-block on and, I just got through telling the guys not to even touch the punter.”

The Stealth had serious kicking issues all night. Two of their three punts traveled 23 and 19 yards, respectively, and they failed to convert a PAT. One PAT try was blocked and the other sailed wide left after a bad snap.

Pittsburgh's coach ran off the field immediately after the game. An assistant said the head coach “doesn't feel much like talking right now.”

Bears quarterback Erik Fuhrer said the sudden field position called for conservative plays.

“We were gonna run the ball three times and if we didn't score, take the field goal,” he said.

Fullback Sanderson carried the ball on successive plays, gaining five yards before his 8-yard scoring burst.

Butler County had a 17-2 lead late in the first half, only to watch the Stealth rally to tie the game.

A Justin Shirey interception at the Butler County 2-yard line stopped a 13-play drive on Pittsburgh's first possession of the game. On the next play, however, running back Eugene Clark took a pitch-out in his own end zone, fumbled and covered the ball for a safety.

Undaunted, the Bears took advantage of a poor punt and picked up a 35-yard Jason Majocha field goal without the benefit of a first down.

Fuhrer's 28-yard pass to Randall Palakovich down the left sideline set up a 29-yard TD strike to fellow Karns City graduate Stephon Conto with 4:54 left in the half.

Moments later, Shane Kerr intercepted a pass and returned it 24 yards to the Stealth 9-yard line. Cody Williams scored on a run from there and it was 17-2 with 2:33 on the clock.

Reese Reynolds' 2-yard run capped a 68-yard drive by the Stealth before halftime, however, Young scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter a play after the Bears roughed the kicker, negating a 26-yard field goal.

A 12-yard TD pass to Lamar Reed got the Stealth even with 6:26 left in the game.

“That team fought hard and came back,” Bergbigler said. “I knew they would. I figured this game would be decided late.”

Tyler Williams recovered two fumbles for the Bears while linebacker Justin Switzer had three quarterback sacks.

The Bears suffered three turnovers themselves and had 11 penalties for 93 yards.

“We had no penalties in our first game, then got hit with six in the first quarter,” Bergbigler said. “We can't afford to play like that.

“But this game was exciting and we came out on the winning end. we can't ask for much more.”

The Bears travel to Erie for a 7 p.m. game Saturday. They don't return home until July 16, hosting the Canton Hurricanes at 7 p.m.

Bears 26, Pitts. Stealth 20Pitt. Stealth 2 6 6 6 — 20B.C. Bears 0 17 0 9 — 26PS BCB13 First Downs 1134-60 Rushes-Yards 30-110222 Passing Yards 9114-32-2 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 5-13-1282 Total Yards 2014-2 Fumbles-Lost 5-210-78 Penalties-Yards 11-93

First QuarterStealth — Eugene Clark tackled in end zone for safety, 4:46

Second QuarterBears — Jason Majocha 35 field goal, 10:58

Bears — Stephon Conto 29 pass from Erik Fuhrer (Majocha kick), 4:54

Bears — Cody Williams 9 run (Majocha kick), 2:33

Stealth — Reese Reynolds 2 run (run failed), 1:06

Third QuarterStealth — Jason Young 4 run (kick failed), 10:32

Fourth QuarterBears — Majocha 23 field goal, 12:15

Stealth — Lamar Reed 12 pass from Young (kick blocked), 6:26

Bears — Justin Sanderson 8 run (pass failed), 1:00

Individual StatisticsPassing: Stealth, Jason Young 14-32-222-2. Bears, Erik Fuhrer 5-13-91-1.

Rushing: Stealth, Reese Reynolds 17-60, Jason Young 6-(-5), David Mathis 5-5, Lilton Rose 1-(-1), Team 2-(-11), Josh Hill 2-12. Bears, Erik Fuhrer 9-56, Eugene Clark 9-26, Justin Sanderson 6-25, Stephon Conto 4-24, Cody Williams 1-9, Team 1-(-30).

Receiving: Stealth, Reese Reynolds 1-9, David Anderson 3-29, David Mathis 5-34, Brian Perry 4-78, Lamar Reed 1-12. Bears, Cody Williams 1-2, Randall Palakovioich 1-28, Stephon Conto 2-40, Eugene Clark 1-21.