Week 7 previews and predictions: Can North Star earn 5th straight victory?
Berlin Brothersvalley, North Star and Windber all improved to 5-1 last week. The Mountaineers and Cougars hit the road this week to take on sub-.500 competition while the Ramblers entertain a team that has lost five straight contests.
Here is a look at all six matchups involving Somerset County teams in Week 7 of the high school football season, with all six contests set for 7 p.m. on Friday:
Non-conference
North Star (5-1) at Uniontown (2-4)
The last time North Star won five straight games was in 2012, when the Cougars went 11-3. A year later they went 6-5. It was the last time the program won six games in a season.
North Star clobbered Everett 64-31 last Friday. Quarterback Connor Yoder threw three touchdowns and rushed for another while Ethan Smith caught two touchdown passes, rushed for two more and scored on a fumble recovery.
This is another week where the Cougars need to come out fast and take care of business against Uniontown, which fell to Windber 37-7 last week.
Rip's pick: North Star 56, Uniontown 13
Midseason Breakout Football Players Meet the Somerset County Midseason Breakout Football Players
Inter-County Conference
Berlin Brothersvalley (5-1) at Tussey Mountain (1-5)
Berlin rallied from a 7-0 first quarter deficit to score 35 points over the next three quarters and knock off Meyersdale 35-14 last Friday.
Cooper Huston rushed for 157 yards and two scores. Senior quarterback Pace Prosser is still dealing with an injury sustained against Northern Bedford in Week 5. He still threw two TD passes.
The Mountaineers should have no issues this week against the Titans, who have not scored much against starting defenses.
Berlin is averaging 33.7 points a game, while allowing just 13.1.
Rip's pick: Berlin Brothersvalley 38, Tussey Mountain 14
Everett (1-5) at Windber (5-1)
Behind R.J. Tallion's four rushing touchdowns, banged up Windber walloped Uniontown 37-7.
Colin Marx returned to the lineup and caught two passes for 18 yards. Without Luke Hostetler, Marx's ability to make an impact at tailback after returning from an ACL injury suffered last year, will be integral.
Everett was no match for North Star, falling 64-31 last week.
Running back Jakobe Harman and wide receiver George Kuhne are the ones to watch for the Warriors.
Rip's pick: Windber 42, Everett 7
Northern Bedford County (6-0) at Meyersdale (3-3)
Meyersdale held a 7-0 advantage last Friday at rival Berlin Brothersvalley. However, the Red Raiders gave up 35 points over the next three quarters and fell 35-14.
It will be very difficult for the Red Raiders to run the football against the Black Panthers. They have a big, veteran defensive line. The only way Meyersdale will be able to stay in the game is if sophomore quarterback Lance Jones can get the ball in the hands of Spencer Whitfield and Malachi Carr out in space.
Northern Bedford toppled Tussey Mountain 62-28 last week. Senior quarterback Eion Snider and running back Adam Johnson have been a dynamic duo to go along with playmakers Adam Bowers and Ben Gable.
Rip's pick: Northern Bedford 52, Meyersdale 17
Heritage Conference
Conemaugh Valley (0-6) at Conemaugh Township (0-6)
Conemaugh Township took a 16-14 lead into the locker room against Northern Cambria last Friday, but fell 42-23.
Jon Updyke and D.J. Bambino connected on two touchdown passes.
It is an emotionally charged week for Conemaugh Township. First-year head coach Brandon Studer is a Conemaugh Valley alumnus and coached basketball there as well. It is also homecoming.
With all the lumps Conemaugh Township has endured this season, being outscored by a combined 237-121, this is the week the team puts it all together and plays four quarters of football.
Meanwhile, Conemaugh Valley dropped a 42-6 setback to West Shamokin last Saturday.
Senior running back Devin Chontas sets the tone for the Blue Jays with 417 yards rushing and one touchdown on 95 attempts.
Rip's pick: Conemaugh Township 35, Conemaugh Valley 12
LHAC
Somerset (3-3) at Bedford (1-5)
Somerset was romped by Richland 46-6 last Friday. The Golden Eagles were unable to contain Richland's speed on defense and failed to move the ball on offense.
The Golden Eagles must quickly forget about that loss and take care of business against a Bisons team that has struggled mightily this season.
Somerset last won four games in a season in 2018. A victory over Bedford would go a long way for a team that only has a handful of seniors on the roster. Somerset has not defeated Bedford since 2018.
Bedford fell 42-14 to Forest Hills last week. Junior quarterback Joey Huxta has completed 55 of 118 passes for 769 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Junior Quincy Swaim leads the Bisons with 20 catches for 376 yards and three scores to go along with a team-high 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Rip's pick: Somerset 24, Bedford 16
Rip's picks: Last week: 5-0; Overall: 28-4
Note: WQZS 93.3 Sports will broadcast the Somerset at Bedford contest. The pregame show will begin at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff set for 7.
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: North Star football off to best start since 2012
