Week 8 football preview: Berlin visits Windber with high stakes for both teams

The Week 8 high school football schedule has a pair of dandies on tap.

Berlin Brothersvalley and Windber were the only two Somerset County teams to earn wins a week ago. They'll square off this week in what has become a fierce rivalry. Meanwhile, Northern Bedford County and North Star tangle following a thriller a year ago.

Here is a look at the full Week 8 schedule involving Somerset County teams, with all games scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

Inter-County Conference

Berlin Brothersvalley (4-3) at Windber (5-2)

For the second week in a row, the Moutaineers grinded out a win. Berlin bested Tussey Mountain 10-0.

Haydon Hutzell tallied the lone touchdown. Cooper Huston, who saw the field just one play against Meyersdale the week prior, had six carries for 21 yards, and made five tackles. His contributions will be key against the Ramblers.

Another shutout Berlin Brothersvalley pitches second straight shutout in triumph over Tussey Mountain

Meanwhile, Windber throttled Everett 41-7. Quarterback Lucas Oleksa tossed a touchdown and rushed for another, while R.J. Tallion added a pair of rushing touchdowns.

The Ramblers threw the ball 19 times, far beyond the norm for coach Matt Grohal. Evan Brady's return gives Windber an outside threat it was missing. Whether running back Luke Hostetler is able to rejoin the squad, after missing the past three games with an injury, will dictate how Grohal handles the play calling.

Both defenses have been stingy for the most part. Berlin is allowing just 11.4 points per game while Windber has given up 14.8 points over seven weeks.

Since 2004, Berlin holds a 13-11 advantage over Windber. The Mountaineers won 8 of 9 during a stretch that began in the 2012 postseason before the Ramblers won a pair in 2021.

Last year: Berlin won 28-0.

Rip's pick: Windber 20, Berlin 14

Northern Bedford County (6-1) at North Star (5-2)

Northern Bedford toppled Meyersdale 35-14 last Friday.

Aaron Bowers caught two touchdown passes from Vaughn Schleinkofer, and Ben Clark added two rushing scores. The Black Panthers do a lot of things well on offense, despite the loss of a crop of extremely talented seniors.

Meanwhile, the defense has been stout once again. Northern Bedford has allowed more than 20 points just once.

North Star fell 17-7 to visiting Class 5A Connellsville on last week.

Coming up short North Star no match for speed of Connellsville defense

Ethan Smith tallied the lone touchdown for the Cougars. North Star is banged up. Jesse Samler, who has been an important part of the Cougars' success, played sparingly. Quarterback Kasey Yoder was under siege all game and took some serious shots.

North Star's defense has been a surprise and is seemingly getting better each week. The Cougars will have to lock down Bowers and force the Black Panthers to be one-dimensional.

Last year: Northern Bedford won 35-34.

Rip's pick: Northern Bedford 28, North Star 19

Non-Conference

Meyersdale (3-4) at Brownsville (0-5)

Meyersdale kept things close for a quarter, but fell 35-14 at Northern Bedford County.

Lance Jones rushed for a touchdown and tossed one to Carter Vogt.

Week 7 highlights Windber picks up convincing Week 7 win; Somerset, Meyersdale, Conemaugh Township fall

The Red Raiders have dropped two in a row. The offense has struggled in the process, managing only 14 points. But this is a good opportunity to find some sync on that side of the ball ahead of their final regular season games and the postseason.

Last year: Meyersdale won 45-0.

Rip's pick: Meyersdale 42, Brownsville 6

Heritage Conference

Conemaugh Township (3-4) at Northern Cambria (6-1)

Conemaugh Township was rolled by unbeaten Cambria Heights 43-6 last Friday. Things don't get any easier against Northern Cambria.

Ty Dumm is a top-notch dual-threat quarterback. He has thrown for 1,069 yards and 10 scores to go along with 715 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Caleb Dolney and Malik Fox have combined for 27 catches, 701 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Conemaugh Township needs to take some form out confidence out of this game. The team has suffered back-to-back setbacks. However, with two winnable games to close, Conemaugh Township needs to compete for four quarters against the Colts and stay healthy.

Last year: Northern Cambria won 42-23.

Rip's pick: Northern Cambria 40, Conemaugh Township 16

LHAC

Somerset (2-5) at Penns Valley (0-7)

Somerset found itself on the losing side of things for the third staight week with a 26-16 setback to visiting Bedford.

Lane Lambert rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown. He has 440 yards and four scores this season. Rowan Holmes leads the way with 496 yards and five scores while Camden Lowery has added 452 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

The Golden Eagles will win this week. This is a chance to find out what it can do in the passing game. Somerset quarterbacks have combined for just 428 yards passing and one touchdown.

Last year: Somerset won 35-21.

Rip's pick: Somerset 28, Penns Valley 12

Rip's picks: Last week: 5-1; Overall: 26-12

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 8 football preview: Berlin visits Windber with high stakes for both teams