New-look Berlin Brothersvalley offense finds footing in victory over Claysburg-Kimmel

BERLIN — Berlin Brothersvalley was in a dog fight for a half of football against Claysburg-Kimmel on Friday night at the Snyder of Berlin Sports Complex.

The Mountaineers called on senior Cooper Huston, who helped open up a six-point lead at the break as Berlin rolled to a 42-14 triumph.

"Huston is an absolute horse," said Berlin coach Doug Paul. "We've got a veteran offensive line in front of him."

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Huston carried 22 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns ‒ two coming in the second half.

"We came out there in the first quarter with a little bit of jitters being the first game of the season," Huston said. "We overcame it in the second half. We faced adversity. God is by my side all the time.

"My freshman year, I was looking up to all the older guys running the ball. I always thought I'd get to this point, and now, here we are."

Claysburg marched down the field to open the game. However, the Bulldogs could not convert a fourth down and turned the ball over on downs.

The Bulldogs got the ball right back on a Berlin fumble at the Mountaineer 41. Mark Lattieri capped the seven-play drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.

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Berlin answered to knot the game at seven, when senior signal-caller Mac Foor connected with fellow senior Zander Ritenour down the sideline for a 38-yard strike with 1:16 left in the first.

"I'll tell you what ‒ Mac Foor, tonight ‒ when you can hit that play-action pass off the punishing run game, that's tough to defend," Paul said.

Berlin took the lead for good with 8:19 left in the second quarter, when Huston scored from three yards out. The extra point was no good. However, Berlin recovered the ensuing kickoff and added to its lead. Senior Haydon Hutzell took a jet sweep in for a 4-yard score.

Claysburg mounted an 11-play drive covering 66 yards to inch within one score at the half. On fourth-and-goal, quarterback Mason Campagna scrambled and found the pylon.

Berlin led 20-14 at the break.

"In the first half, we faced some adversity in a lot of different ways, but that's fine," Paul said. "We've got to face adversity. We said at halftime, 'It was nice to be in a football game.' Not that I wanted (Claysburg) to score at the end (of the half), but it's nice to be in a game because we need that to see what we're all about."

Huston took over in the second half. He scored on a 26-yard run to cap a seven-play, 65-yard opening drive. Following a three-and-out, Huston scored again on a 5-yard burst.

Berlin led 35-14 with 7:04 left in the third.

After another Claysburg three-and-out, Foor delivered the knockout blow with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Hutzell to set the final.

Foor threw for 123 yards and two scores. After taking a year away from the sport, he's happy to be back.

"It's great getting back into the swing of things," Foor said. "We're all starting to mesh really well, starting to play well as a team. We have a few things to iron out, still. I was a little nervous but once those first-play jitters left, it was time to play ball."

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: New-look Berlin Brothersvalley offense finds footing in victory over Claysburg-Kimmel