Week 8 Preview New twists, similar scenario for Inter-County Conference South contenders Berlin Brothersvalley, Windber (WITH PICKS)

Oct. 13—New conference. Different classifications in District 5.

Still, Berlin Brothersvalley and Windber will be in familiar territory on Friday night at the Snyder of Berlin Complex.

Each team enters a key Inter-County Conference South Division game with a 6-1 record and both carry some momentum despite contending with injuries.

"It's a great atmosphere, a great football town and a great program," Windber coach Matt Grohal said of Berlin Brothersvalley. "Coach Paul has done a marvelous job over the last 15 years. We know it's going to be a huge obstacle for us.

"This is our only chance to play them with them being in 2A and us in 1A. We want to plug in the pieces and see if we can give them a good game."

Windber is missing multiple regulars due to injury, including back Luke Hostetler, who was the area's leading rusher and scorer when he went down in the third quarter of a Week 4 game against Meyersdale. Players who stepped in to fill voids now are injured, Grohal said, necessitating others to be the "next man up."

"We have some young guys to fill in," Grohal said. "It's Windber-Berlin. Hopefully, some of these younger guys get a taste of that rivalry and step up in a bigger role than they normally have to play."

Berlin Brothersvalley coach Doug Paul expects Windber's best regardless of the situation.

Like the Ramblers, Berlin Brothersvalley has had the usual injuries throughout a grueling season, including one that limited four-year starting quarterback-safety Pace Prosser two weeks ago.

"Windber is a very well-coached team," Paul said. "They're so fundamentally sound on the defensive side of the ball. This year, they're definitely throwing in some more wrinkles.

"Geographically, we're not next-door neighbors, but we've built up a good rivalry in the last 10 years or so."

Windber leads the all-time series 25-17 dating to the two programs first meeting in 1985.

Berlin Brothersvalley has an 11-4 advantage against Windber since the 2010 season.

The Mountaineers and Ramblers have met in the District 5 playoffs four times since 2008, when the Ramblers won a Class 1A first-round contest.

The teams met again the following season in the District 5-1A title game won by Windber.

In 2012, Berlin Brothersvalley won a District 5-1A semifinal, and the Ramblers took a District 5-8 Class 2A subregional semifinal meeting in 2021.

"It's been like this for a few years," Grohal said. "It's exciting to go down there and play. It's a great stadium and a great atmosphere."

Berlin Brothersvalley has outscored its opponents 244-93.

Prosser has completed 65 of 114 passes for 1,054 yards, 15 TDs and nine interceptions. Haydon Hutzell (19 catches, 284 yards, three TDs), Cody Kimmel (11-284, five TDs) and Zander Ritenour (18-208, five TDs) all have more than 200 receiving yards.

Cooper Huston (402, six TDs), Aidan Ream (385, 3 TDs) and Prosser (357, two TDs) have combined to rush for 1,144 yards and 11 TDs.

"Pace is the guy who makes it all go," Grohal said. "He's such a good football player on both sides of the ball. He's equally as good at that safety position. He's all-state for a reason.

"We know if we have any chance of beating those guys on Friday, we have to slow him down a little bit. He can run it. He can throw it. They have so many weapons and use so many different formations. We know it's going to be a tall task for us, but we're excited about the opportunity."

Windber added the pass to its traditionally run-oriented offense, partly due to injuries and also because of the tandem of quarterback Tanner Barkley and split end Evan Brady.

Barkley has 973 passing yards, 11 TDs and two interceptions. Brady moved into the area lead with 563 receiving yards on 42 catches. The pair combined on four TD passes in Week 7's win over visiting Everett.

"They added a couple new wrinkles with formations," Paul said. "The Brady kid is a nice-sized kid with great hands. Very athletic. The Barkley boy has been putting the ball on the money. They have good chemistry. They're able to spread the ball around and keep you on your toes on defense."

The remainder of this weekend's games involving area teams follows, all games are at 7 p.m. unless indicated:

Inter-County Conference

North Star (6-1) at Northern Bedford County (7-0)

Last week: North Star 34, Uniontown 7; Northern Bedford County 43, Meyersdale 6.

About the Cougars: North Star is second in the District 5 Class 1A rankings behind the undefeated Black Panthers, adding even more to an already marquee contest. The Cougars have won five in a row since dropping a one-point contest at Juniata Valley in Week 2. Quarterback Connor Yoder is the area's leading passer with 66 completions on 133 attempts for 1,280 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Ethan Smith has 24 TDs and 148 points.

About the Black Panthers: Northern Bedford County has scored 277 points while allowing 78, despite contending with multiple serious injuries dating to the season opener. Quarterback Eion Snider has passed for 1,091 yards, 16 TDs and three picks while also rushing for 399 yards and seven scores. Adam Johnson is back from injury and has 503 rushing yards and 10 TDs. Aaron Bowers (28-417, six TDS) and Ben Gable (23-342, seven TDs) have combined for 51 catches, 759 yards and 13 receiving TDs.

Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Central (7-0) at Bedford (2-5)

Last week: Central 28, Penns Valley 14; Bedford 28, Somerset 7.

About the Scarlet Dragons: Central is 25-2 in LHAC regular-season games since rejoining the conference in 2021. The Scarlet Dragons hold the top spot in the District 6 Class 3A rankings. Junior quarterback Eli Muthler has completed 60% of his passes (105 of 175) for 1,733 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions.

About the Bisons: Bedford ended a five-game losing streak against visiting Somerset. The Bisons hold the fourth spot in District 5-8 Class 2A. Joey Huxta has thrown for 826 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, and Quincy Swaim has 21 catches for 397 yards and four scores.

Tyrone (4-3) at Central Cambria (3-4)

Last week: Tyrone 39, Huntingdon 7; Forest Hills 41, Central Cambria 6.

About the Golden Eagles: Tyrone is on a three-game winning streak. Quarterback Ashton Walk has thrown for 1,255 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Andrew Weaver has 22 receptions for 427 yards and four scores. Brady Ronan has 14 catches for 281 yards and three scores, and he's rushed for 653 yards and 10 TDs.

About the Red Devils: Central Cambria will try to snap a three-game losing streak. With 783 rushing yards, Grady Snyder averages 5.4 a carry and 111.9 a game. Snyder also has 10 catches for 230 yards.

Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic (4-3) at Chestnut Ridge (6-1)

Last week: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic 27, Bellwood-Antis 13; Penn Cambria 15, Chestnut Ridge 12.

About the Marauders: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic beat Bellwood-Antis to erase some of the sting from two straight losses decided late at Central (10-7 OT) and against Tyrone (28-27). The Marauders had 292 yards in total offense distributed almost evenly with 147 on the ground and 145 passing. Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic is eighth in the District 6 Class 2A rankings.

About the Lions: Chestnut Ridge will try to regroup after suffering its first loss of the season in dramatic fashion at Penn Cambria. Trailing by three, the Lions advanced to the 1-yard line on a wet and muddy field in Cresson, but lost a fumble in the end zone in the final minute. Quarterback Nate Whysong ranks fourth in the area with 1,052 passing yards, including nine touchdowns. Chestnut Ridge is second in the District 5-8 Class 2A rankings.

Huntingdon (1-6) at Forest Hills (4-3)

Last week: Tyrone 39, Huntingdon 7; Forest Hills 41, Central Cambria 6.

About the Bearcats: Huntingdon has lost four in a row since beating Bellwood-Antis in Week 3. The Bearcats have allowed 256 points in seven games, as six of seven opponents have tallied 34 or more points.

About the Rangers: Forest Hills currently is sixth in the District 6 Class 2A rankings after winning its past two games. Junior quarterback Nate Cornell has thrown for 1,135 yards and 13 TDs, including a season-high 240 passing yards and three touchdowns against Central Cambria. The Rangers defense helped Forest Hills outscore Bedford (42-14) and Central Cambria (41-6) by a combined 83-20.

Bellefonte (0-7) at McCort-Carroll Catholic (2-5)

Last week: Philipsburg-Osceola 14, Bellefonte 13; McCort-Carroll Catholic 14, Westmont Hilltop 13.

About the Red Raiders: Bellefonte only has reached double-digit scoring twice this season, including in Week 7's one-point loss at Philipsburg-Osceola. The Red Raiders had another one-point loss in Week 5 at Penns Valley (20-19).

About the Crushers: McCort-Carroll has won two straight contests after going winless through five weeks. The Crushers could move up in the District 6 Class 1A rankings with a third consecutive win. McCort-Carroll's Brody Lanzendorfer stopped a potential go-ahead, two-point conversion run with 1:02 left in a one-point win over Westmont Hilltop.

Bellwood-Antis (1-6) at Penn Cambria (6-1)

Last week: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic 27, Bellwood-Antis 13; Penn Cambria 15, Chestnut Ridge 13.

About the Blue Devils: Opponents have outscored Bellwood-Antis 197-87. The Blue Devils picked up their first win two weeks ago against Philipsburg-Osceola, but fell to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic in Week 7. Alex McCartney has 956 rushing yards and eight TDs, and Colin Gibbons has 18 receptions for 213 yards.

About the Panthers: West 2 winner Penn Cambria won its sixth straight game in a hard-fought marquee matchup against previously undefeated Chestnut Ridge. The Panthers' Gavin Harrold returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and recovered a fumble in the end zone to halt a Lions drive that advanced to the 1-yard line on a wet and muddy field. Penn Cambria is second in the District 6 Class 3A rankings.

Clearfield (6-1) at Richland (7-0)

Last week: Clearfield 13, Bald Eagle Area 7; Richland 42, Greater Johnstown 8.

About the Bison: Clearfield and Richland will play in football for the first time in program history. The East 2 champion Bison edged previously undefeated Bald Eagle Area. The reward is back-to-back games against currently undefeated section winners Richland and East 1's Central.

About the Rams: West 1 winner Richland is atop the District 6 Class 2A rankings, 50 points ahead of undefeated United Valley. The Rams will face a tough test possibly without freshman starting quarterback Grayson Mahla, who was the area's leading passer prior to missing Week 7's game due to an injury. Another freshman QB, Dom Shank, led the Rams past Greater Johnstown.

Penns Valley (4-3) at Somerset (3-4)

Last week: Central 28, Penns Valley 14; Bedford 28, Somerset 7.

About the Rams: Penns Valley is coming off back-to-back losses to undefeated Central once-beaten Clearfield. The Rams won four of their first five contests. Penns Valley is seventh in District 6 Class 2A — 70 points behind Forest Hills and only 20 in front of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic.

About the Golden Eagles: Somerset has lost two in a row since its three-game winning streak was snapped. Camden Lowery is among the area rushing leaders with 590 yards on 91 carries.

Heritage

Conemaugh Township (0-7) at Cambria Heights (5-2)

Last week: Conemaugh Valley 22, Conemaugh Township 21; Cambria Heights 41, West Shamokin 15.

About the Indians: Conemaugh Township has dropped 11 straight games dating back to the 2022 season. Jon Updyke is among the area leaders with 601 rushing yards on 72 carries. He has completed 40 of 91 passes for 610 yards, five TDs and three interceptions.

About the Highlanders: Cambria Heights has won three straight games since a Week 4 loss to River Valley (20-14). The Highlanders occupy the fourth spot in District 6 Class 1A and with 640 rating points are within striking distance of Juniata Valley (650) and Purchase Line (690).

Penns Manor (3-4) at Northern Cambria (6-1)

Last week: Marion Center 12, Penns Manor 6; Northern Cambria 20, River Valley 14.

About the Comets: Penns Manor currently is tied for the eighth spot in the District 6 Class 1A rankings, making this matchup even more significant. Carter Smith has 100 carries for 842 rushing yards and 13 TDs.

About the Colts: Northern Cambria looks to extend its six-game winning streak and build on its status as the top team in the District 6 Class 1A rankings. Jack Sheredy tops the area rushing (987 yards) and tackles (89) statistics. His 90 points rank third in the area.

Portage (3-4) at United Valley (7-0)

Last week: Portage 34, Homer-Center 0; United Valley 46, Purchase Line 0.

About the Mustangs: Portage scored four second-half TDs against Homer-Center to break open a one-score contest and snap a four-game skid. A 0-4 United Valley team stunned host Portage 24-14 in 2022, and now the Mustangs hope to return the favor on the road against an undefeated Lions squad. Portage and Penns Manor entered the week tied for eighth in the District 6-1A rankings.

About the Lions: District 6 Class 2A second-ranked United went on the road and dismantled conference contender Purchase Line, as the Lions scored on their first five possessions and seven times overall. United his outscored its past two opponents 60-0 in shutout wins over the Red Dragons (46-0) and Penns Manor (14-0). The Lions are 7-0 for the first time since the 1998 District 6 champions won their first 12 games.

Conemaugh Valley (1-6) at River Valley (5-2)

Last week: Conemaugh Valley 22, Conemaugh Township 21; Northern Cambria 20, River Valley 14.

About the Blue Jays: Conemaugh Valley cracked the win column in last-second fashion, as quarterback Adam Jasper hit Eric Korhut on a 12-yard TD pass with six seconds left and then connected with Landon Percinsky on the two-point conversion in a one-point victory at Conemaugh Township. The Blue Jays scored 16 fourth-quarter points.

About the Panthers: River Valley's four-game winning streak was snapped in a tight contest against Northern Cambria, another streaking conference front-runner. Sam Yantis ran 45 yards for a score, and Merrick Smith scored on a 53-yard pass from Luke Woodring in Week 7's game. River Valley ranks fifth in the District 5 Class 2A rankings.

WPIAL

Ligonier Valley (2-5) at Serra Catholic (2-4)

Last week: Burrell 33, Ligonier Valley 13; Serra Catholic 40, Yough 12.

About the Rams: Ligonier Valley looks to snap a three-game losing streak in which the Rams have been outscored 89-13. In 2022, the Rams played Serra Catholic tough before falling 27-18. Against Burrell, junior John Jablunovsky carried 17 times for 180 yards and a TD. Overall, Jablunovsky has 679 yards and six TDs on 108 carries, an average of 6.3 a run.

About the Eagles: Serra Catholic has won two consecutive games since opening the season with four losses. In Week 7, Quadir Stribling had four touchdown passes, including three in the second half, and Mason Jones scored two rushing TDs in the opening half. Stribling completed 20 of 23 passes for 357 yards against Yough.

Nonconference

Brownsville (1-4) at Meyersdale (3-4)

Last week: Brownsville did not play; Northern Bedford County 43, Meyersdale 6.

About the Falcons: Brownsville hasn't played since a 36-30 win over Carrick on Sept. 22. The Falcons opened the season with four straight losses.

About the Red Raiders: Meyersdale has lost four of its past five games while facing the top of the Inter-County Conference South standings in teams North Star (33-0), Windber (38-7), Berlin (35-14) and Northern Bedford County (43-6). Those four teams have a combined three losses. The Red Raiders beat Tussey Mountain (41-21) in Week 5.

Saturday

Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Philipsburg-Osceola (2-5) at Westmont Hilltop (2-5), 1 p.m.

Last week: Philipsburg-Osceola 14, Bellefonte 13; McCort-Carroll 14, Westmont Hilltop 13.

About the Mountaineers: Philipsburg-Osceola snapped a five-game losing streak in Week 8. This will be the first meeting in football between the two programs. Westmont Hilltop's program dates to 1920, and Philipsburg-Osceola football has roots in 1890.

About the Hilltoppers: Westmont Hilltop dropped two straight games and four of its past five. The Hilltoppers will give a figurative nod to the past as this afternoon kickoff will be held in conjunction with homecoming. Westmont Hilltop traditionally played Saturday afternoon home games until lights were added at the renovated Price Field in 2022.

Bald Eagle Area (6-1) at Greater Johnstown (0-7), 6 p.m

Last week: Clearfield 13, Bald Eagle Area 7; Richland 42, Greater Johnstown 8.

About the Eagles: Bald Eagle Area suffered its first loss of the season in a tight battle against Clearfield. Bald Eagle Area has has success passing and running the ball. Quarterback Carson Nagle has completed 131 of 186 passes for 1,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and only one interception. Receivers Kahle Burns (42-601, seven TDs), Camron Watkins (31-450, five) and Gavin Burns (31-387, two) have combined for 103 catches. Cameron Dubbs has 564 rushing yards and nine TDs.

Greater Johnstown will celebrate 125 years of the football program and unveil this year's Trojan Ring of Honor members. Freshman quarterback Julius Reed has completed 38 of 101 passes for 630 yards, three TDs and nine interceptions. Senior Conseer Baxter has 12 receptions for 290 yards and two TDs.