The high school football season has hit the second half. A trio of Somerset County squads bring momentum into Friday night after earning wins a week ago.
Here's a look at all of the Week 6 matchups set for 7 p.m. on Friday involving Somerset County teams.
Breakout football players emerge Who are the Somerset County midseason breakout football players?
Inter-County Conference
Berlin Brothersvalley (2-3) at Meyersdale (3-2)
Berlin fell below .500 for the first time since 2018 with a 20-14 setback against Northern Bedford County last Friday. It's also the first time the Mountaineers have dropped three games in a season since 2021.
Cooper Huston churned out 231 yards and a score. He has 865 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this season.
Meyersdale will likely load up the box trying to contain Huston and running mate Seth Kimmel.
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Berlin will have the advantage on the outside with Haydon Hutzell and Zander Ritenour. It's just a matter if quarterback Mac Foor can get the ball into their hands. Foor has only thrown for more than 100 yards twice this season.
Meanwhile, Meyersdale won an ugly 15-2 ICC contest against visiting Tussey Mountain.
Spencer Whitfield, who has 368 yards and four scores, tallied a touchdown. Whitfield makes the engine go in Meyersdale. However, quarterback Lance Jones has done his job well this season and wide receiver Karter Schurg has evolved into a playmaker.
The biggest improvement is the defense. Former Meyersdale coach Chris Schrock returned this season to run a defensive unit that has allowed double-digit points only twice through five weeks. A season ago, Meyersdale gave up 18.1 points per game. The Red Raiders are allowing an average of just 9.8 points this year.
Berlin has owned this rivalry over the past 20 years. Dating back to 2004, including the postseason, Meyersdale has only defeated Berlin five times.
Last year: Berlin won 35-14.
Rip's pick: Berlin Brothersvalley 22, Meyersdale 16
Everett (2-3) at North Star (4-1)
North Star walloped Windber 44-8 last Friday. Kasey Yoder threw three touchdowns. Jesse Samler rushed for two touchdowns and caught another TD pass while Ethan Smith tallied a rushing touchdown and punt return for a TD.
North Star opened a season 4-1 since 2011.
Complete game North Star dismantles Windber behind big night from sophomore signal-caller
The Cougar defense has been very good all season as well, allowing just an average of 9.6 points per contest.
North Star could put itself in a great spot with another convincing win against an Everett team that has not scored more than seven points in its three straight losses.
Last year: North Star won 64-31.
Rip's pick: North Star 42, Everett 6
Heritage Conference
Conemaugh Township (3-2) at Penns Manor (4-1)
Conemaugh Township fended off Portage 16-14 last Friday.
The two-quarterback system in Davidsville is working. Greyson Studer tossed a touchdown and Sam Shaffer rushed for another against the Mustangs. Studer and Shaffer have combined for five touchdown passes. Shaffer has added three rushing scores.
Week 5 highlights Week 5 football: Conemaugh Township, Meyersdale earn wins; Somerset falls in OT
Penns Manor edged Purchase Line 14-7.
The Comets are a run-heavy team. Senior quarterback Amin Leib has rushed for 337 yards and six scores. Penns Manor has totaled 947 rushing yards as a team. Leib has thrown for 613 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Receiver Dylan Kuzemchak has 18 grabs for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Last year: Penns Manor won 34-7.
Rip's pick: Penns Manor 28, Conemaugh Township 18
LHAC
Richland (4-1) at Somerset (2-3)
Richland upended Forest Hills 21-13 last Friday.
Sophomore quarterback Grayson Mahla has thrown for 814 yards, 10 touchdowns, six picks, and has added 238 yards and two scores on the ground. Joe Mcaneny has four rushing scores. Arnold Mugerwa has 10 catches for 337 yards and five touchdowns. Joe Penna paces the Rams with 52 tackles.
Somerset erased a 17-point halftime deficit, only to fall 30-24 against McCort-Carroll in overtime.
Lane Lambert threw for a touchdown and rushed for another. It was a game Somerset needed to win against an inferior opposition that was playing a backup quarterback.
Somerset has not defeated Richland since 2017.
Last year: Richland won 46-6.
Rip's pick: Richland 41, Somerset 8
Non-Conference
Carrick (1-3) at Windber (3-2)
Windber was lackluster in a 44-8 setback at North Star. The Ramblers played without leading rusher Luke Hostetler, who suffered a knee injury in practice earlier in the week.
Wide receiver Evan Brady returned to the team and caught four passes for 55 yards. He will be a nice addition on both sides of the ball down the stretch.
With Hostetler out, Lucas Oleksa, R.J. Tallion and Cole Mash will be called upon more to lead the ground game.
Defensively, the Ramblers had no answer for anything the Cougars threw at them.
Through four games, Carrick senior quarterback Zion Frye has thrown for 569 yards, five touchdowns and a pick. The Raiders have three receivers with more than 100 yards. Carrick has managed only 127 total yards on the ground.
Last year: The teams did not meet.
Rip's pick: Windber 28, Carrick 15
Rip's picks: Last week: 1-4; Overall: 16-11
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: Week 6 Somerset County football previews: Berlin, Meyersdale meet in Backyard Brawl
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