Northern Bedford Football Eyeing Inter-County Conference Title

One might think the Northern Bedford County High School football team wouldn't have a lot to prove after following up last year's District 5 Class 1A championship and PIAA quarterfinal run with an 8-0 start, but you'd be mistaken.

The Black Panthers still would like to add an Inter-County Conference title to their list of achievements, something they hope to rectify on Friday.

"We haven't won the division championship in I don't know how long. Bellwood usually wins it," Northern Bedford quarterback Eion Snider said. "This would finally show that we're not just some little school, that we can actually do it."

Standing between the Panthers and the Silver Division crown is fellow Herald area team Juniata Valley, the District 6 Class 1A runner-up to eventual state champion Bishop Guilfoyle last year.

The Green Hornets, with their contingent of Williamsburg co-op players, bring a 5-3 record into the contest but are 4-0 in the ICC Silver like Northern Bedford. The Black Panthers took last year's clash, 7-6, but Juniata Valley denied NBC the conference title because of point differential that decided the three-way tie with Bellwood-Antis.

Kickoff for this week's tilt at Panther Community Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

"I see a very good team (in Northern Bedford)," Juniata Valley coach Bill Musser said. "I see a very good line that's getting better each week, I see a running back (Adam Johnson) that has really found himself and is enjoying running hard and athletes across the board."

Coming off a 35-6 victory over Glendale last week -- the Panthers' 14th straight regular season win -- Northern Bedford's only had one game all season determined by fewer than 22 points: its seven-point win against Southern Huntingdon in the season-opener. The Hornets, though, pose the biggest test for Northern on paper.

Juniata Valley had a four-game winning streak snapped at Windber last week. Even with the three losses, the Hornets and Panthers have fared similarly against common opponents and their point differential within the division this fall is comparable.

The Green Hornets also hold a 14-10 win over traditional power Bellwood, which is in the ICC's Gold Division this season.

"They're a confident group. They're going to show up and believe that they can win a game. They're a good team," Northern Bedford coach Garry Black said. "They're physical. They like to run the ball. (Andrew) McMonagle is their top runner, and he's equally dangerous if not more dangerous on defense with the way he presents some problems when blitzing. McMonagle's something that we have to key."

A 5-foot-9, 190-pound junior from Williamsburg, McMonagle has rushed for 903 yards and 10 touchdowns this season for the Green Hornets and has five 100-yard games. On defense, he had 12 tackles for loss in Juniata Valley's first seven games to go along with three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

"This week means a lot. Obviously, they spoiled our undefeated season last year. I just think it would be great if we could get them back for what they did to us last year," McMonagle said. "They're a solid group of guys and they're offense is really good. I think the key for us is to get our offense going."

In all five of its wins, Juniata Valley's held its opponents to 14 points or fewer. Musser is relying on the Hornets' defense to come through and keep his team in the game.

"We have to take away the big play. We have to make them drive the field. We have to make them do that consistently," Musser said. "We can't make any mistakes, we have to have a good week of preparation and we have to understand that the speed of the game is going to increase."

Johnson has been the Panthers' bell cow on offense and brings a an 8.7-yard-per-carry average and 22 touchdowns into the game, having run the ball 128 times for 1,118 yards behind a line of five new starters from last season. Like McMonagle, he's looking for his sixth 100-yard game of the season and has gone for at least 90 yards in every game.

Snider, meanwhile, has been very efficient throwing the ball. He's 72 for 183 for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He's only been picked off twice.

Snider's favorite target is 6-3 sophomore Aaron Bowers with 33 catches for 496 yards and five touchdowns.

The Panthers make big plays on the defensive side, as well. They've forced 19 turnovers through eight games and registered 14 sacks.

Black echoed his quarterback's thoughts on the significance of this week's encounter. Although Northern Bedford might have its eyes on some bigger prizes down the road, the ICC Silver championship would be a nice achievement around which to build.

"Anytime you can win a championship of some sort -- district or league -- that's important," Black said. "It's something nobody can take away from you. I know we'll be talking about it this week."

This article brought to you by Northern Bedford Pharmacy.

High School Football of Note

In other Week 9 games ...

Glendale Vikings (3-5) vs. Claysburg-Kimmel Bulldogs (1-7)

Date and time: Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Tiger Stadium, Hollidaysburg

Coaches: Glendale – Dave Trexler; Claysburg-Kimmel – Matt Bilchak

Last game: Glendale – lost to Northern Bedford, 35-6; Claysburg-Kimmel – lost to Tussey Mountain, 33-14

Last meeting: Glendale, 49-14 (Aug. 27, 2021)

Series record: Claysburg-Kimmel, 32-27 (first met in 1962)

Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers (3-5) vs. Central Scarlet Dragons (6-2)

Date and time: Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Roaring Spring Athletic Field, Roaring Spring

Coaches: Westmont Hilltop – Pat Barron; Central –Dave Baker

Last game: Westmont Hilltop – defeated Forest Hills, 28-27; Central – defeated Bedford, 38-35

Last meeting: Central, 52-13 (Nov. 5, 2021 – District 6 Class 3A semifinals)

Series record: Westmont Hilltop, 4-3 (first met in 2001)

This article brought to you by Northern Bedford Pharmacy.