Berlin Brothersvalley wins sloppy one against Meyersdale in Backyard Brawl

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MEYERSDALE — Without starting running back Cooper Huston and No. 2 receiver Haydon Hutzell, Berlin Brothersvalley coach Doug Paul had to go into his bag of tricks against rival Meyersdale in the Backyard Brawl on Friday.

Enter Seth Kimmel.

The junior carried 21 times for 55 yards and the lone touchdown of the game with 4:42 left in the first quarter to lift the Mountaineers past the Red Raiders 7-0.

"It feels good to get this win," Paul said. "I'm used to coaching teams with that killer instinct, but the whole dynamic of this team is different. They persevered. They played ball and I am super proud of every single one of them."

Sophomore Corbin Kordell set up the Berlin touchdown when he picked off Meyersdale quarterback Lance Jones, giving the Mountaineers good field position at the Red Raider 31.

Senior signal-caller Mac Foor connected with leading receiver Zander Ritenour on a 24-yard pitch-and-catch to set up first-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Kimmel handled it from there and scored from 2 yards out two plays later.

"I knew my line could push through," Kimmel said. "The line was great. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else. Every guy on that line pushes hard. This feels great."

It was a good time for the Mountaineers to take a stride forward following back-to-back losses.

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"We kind of knew all week that we weren't going to have Haydon (Hutzell) and Cooper (Huston)," Paul said. "We practiced and prepared for it. I'm so proud of how these guys stepped up. When you don't have 90% of your offense on the field, that's big. The line played very well. Meyersdale was bringing eight or nine guys every play. We did just enough to win."

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It was tough sledding for both teams. Meyersdale did not tally a first down until its first drive of the second quarter. Leading rusher Spencer Whitfield, who was injured a week ago, played in a limited role.

Meyersdale (3-3) was in Berlin territory four times in the game and only had two true scoring chances, one of which came on a 15-play drive that carried into the fourth quarter. However, the Red Raiders could not convert a fourth-and-3 from the Mountaineer 18-yard line and turned the ball over on downs.

"I'm not going to make any excuses. We knew the conditions were not going to be good," Meyersdale coach Ryan Donaldson said. "Field position, we didn't execute. The pass game wasn't there, and neither was the run game when we needed it. Our defense kept us in the game, but we have to play both sides of the ball and special teams for four quarters.

Berlin (3-3) hosts Tussey Mountain while Meyersdale visits Northern Bedford County on Friday.

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: Berlin Brothersvalley wins sloppy one against Meyersdale in Backyard Brawl