Northern Bedford Panthers Look to Slow Bellwood-Antis

Heading into Week 6 of the high school football season, Northern Bedford will attempt Friday night, Sept. 27, to do what no other opponent against Bellwood-Antis has been able to do: knock off the red-hot Blue Devils.

Bellwood-Antis (5-0), tied atop the District 6 Class 2A rankings with Richland (6-0) at 116 points, will visit Panther Community Stadium and match up with Northern Bedford (3-2), ranked second in the District 5 Class 1A rankings with 23 points.

Two of B-A's victories this season have each been by three points – 35-32 in double overtime against Tyrone in Week 1 and 24-21 against Juniata Valley in Week 3. The three other victories have been by shutout, including the last two. The Blue Devils have blanked Glendale (48-0), Everett (40-0) and Moshannon Valley (48-0).

Following a 49-21 loss to Central to start the season, Northern Bedford rebounded with victories over Southern Huntingdon (41-20) and Moshannon Valley (47-6). The Panthers dropped a 32-22 victory to unbeaten Tussey Mountain in Week 4 before blanking Everett, 27-0.

Since 2012, B-A has a 6-1 series edge against NB, including victories in the last three games. The Panthers won 41-20 in 2015.

B-A

The Blue Devils are averaging 332.2 yards per contest this season – 207.6 rushing and 124.6 passing. They have outscored their opponents 195-53.

"Bellwood is a well-rounded, well-coached football team and they don't make mistakes," Northern Bedford coach Garry Black said. "They don't turn the ball over, they play good defense, and they don't commit a lot of penalties. We have to be able to match that."

B-A has scored 27 touchdowns in the five games – 19 rushing, six passing, one punt return and one kickoff return.

Leading the way for the Blue Devils is Zach Mallon. The junior has carried the ball 67 times for 458 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He has nine receptions for 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and he has returned one kickoff for a touchdown.

Junior Nick Plank has 50 carries for 336 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and he has one receiving touchdown.

Senior quarterback Trevor Miller has thrown for 623 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior Troy Walker has caught the ball 14 times for 227 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Mallon has 824 all-purpose yards, followed by Plank with 382, Walker with 227 and senior John Kost with 211.

Defensively, Plank leads the way in tackles with 44. Senior Evan Pellegrine is second with 34, followed by senior Dallas Hollen with 29 and junior Ty Noonan with 28.

The Blue Devils have recorded 10.5 quarterback sacks on the season, including 4.5 by sophomore Cooper Keen. Pellegrine and senior Lincoln Boyer each have two sacks.

B-A has forced its opponents to turn the ball over 13 times – eight fumbles and five interceptions. Walker and sophomore Cooper Guyer each have two fumble recoveries. Noonan has two interceptions.

"We need to win the turnover battle because you can't give them extra opportunities at your own expense," Black said.

NB

The Panthers are averaging 309.4 yards per game – 160.6 rushing and 148.8 passing. They have outscored their opponents 158-107.

"We need to be patient on offense this Friday and let the game come to us," Black said.

NB has scored 23 touchdowns this season, including one by an interception and one by kickoff return.

Junior Dalton Smith has 459 rushing yards on 77 carries and seven touchdowns, all team-highs. Junior Cadin Ebersole has 20 carries for 205 yards and one touchdown.

Junior quarterback Thad Leidy has completed 43 of 72 pass attempts for 655 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Junior Brady Clark has 10 catches for 179 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Ebersole has 12 catches for 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Junior Evan Clouse and senior Kyler States each have caught two touchdowns.

Smith leads the Black Panthers with 628 all-purpose yards. Clark is second at 502, with Ebersole next with 482 all-purpose yards.

Defensively, junior Colby Imler and senior Phillip Kline each have 26 tackles. Sophomore Kainen Brown is right behind them with 25.

Junior Dakota Claar has two of the team's three quarterback sacks.

The Panthers have forced five turnovers, including three interceptions.

"I think if we can score a non conventional touchdown on special teams or on defense that would really go a long way in helping us win the football game," Black said.

Other Games

In other local action Friday night, Central (2-3) will travel to Philipsburg-Osceola (1-4), Williamsburg (0-5) will play at Moshannon Valley (1-4) and Hollidaysburg (2-3) will travel to McDowell (5-0).

On Saturday, Claysburg-Kimmel (4-1) will entertain Mount Union (1-4).

All games will kick off at 7 p.m.