NBC Falls to Redbank Valley In First Round of PIAA Playoffs

Turnovers and a staunch Redbank Valley defense were too much to overcome as NBC was defeated, 28-15, in the PIAA Class A football playoffs Nov. 7 at Windber Stadium.

Five turnovers proved costly as Redbank Valley rolled to a 21-0 halftime lead. That cushion proved to be too much to overcome.

The Bulldogs capitalized on a fumble recovery and an interception in the first six minutes to get a quick 14-0 jump on the Panthers. Redbank Valley added another post-turnover touchdown before the halftime break.

"I told the kids at halftime we needed to shut them out if we wanted to have a shot at getting the win," said NB coach Garry Black. "We played much better in the second half but still came up short. They were a very physical and well balanced team."

The Panther defense got NB rolling in the third period as Mason Detterline recorded a tackle in the Bulldog end zone for a safety and Brady Clark followed up moments later with a 61-yard pick six to close the gap to 21-8.

A Kobe Bonnano 1-yard plunge early in the fourth period, however, ended any Panther comeback hopes and put the Bulldogs up 28-8. NB did get a Dalton Smith 2-yard run for a TD with just under 2-minutes remaining that, along with a Collin Yeatts PAT kick, set the final score at 28-15.

Redbank Valley outgained the Panthers by a 243-145 margin. A telling statistic was that Northern Bedford had negative yards rushing in the game.