Sportsbeat Game of the Week: Northern Bedford at North Star

BOSWELL, Pa. (WTAJ) – ICC South title implications are on the line for our Sportsbeat Game of the Week between Northern Bedford and North Star.

“The winner of that is going to be in the driver seat of the south,” North Star head coach Bob Landis said.

Heading into Week 8, Northern Bedford has just one loss on the year, while North Star has two losses, including a shocking one to Connellsville last week.

“That game is over and done. There’s nothing we can do about it,” Landis said. “We have to focus on Northern Bedford.”

Last year’s matchup between the Panthers and Cougars was an instant classic. Northern Bedford trailed by three scores early but rallied to pull off a one-point win in the final minute of the game.

“It was just a classic football game,” Northern Panthers head coach Garry Black.

This year’s game features arguably the two most surprising teams in Central Pennsylvania.

The Panthers had to replace arguably their most talented senior class in school history and won 39 games in four seasons, including last year’s District V title.

NBC has reloaded though with the efforts from guys like first-year starting quarterback Vaughn Schleinkofer, running back Ben Clark and the versatile Aaron Bowers.

“There’s guys that have had to wait their turn. I think these guys will leave a legacy (like Vaughn Schleinkofer, who) didn’t get to play until he was a senior, and he’s a really good football player,” Black said. “(On the other side,) Aaron Bowers has played for all four years. So, it just shows (to continue to) develop, stick with things, trust the process and good things will happen to you.”

North Star had a pretty big player to replace in quarterback Connor Yoder, but his little brother Kasey has seamlessly stepped into his shoes with the help of seniors Ethan Smith and Jesse Samler.

“When you need a play here or a play there, it’s good to have (seniors step up), especially with a young quarterback and a young group on the field,” Landis said. “It’s nice to have those guys to lean on in a situation, where you’re not really asking a sophomore to step in or make a big play. You’re asking a guy who’s been there and done that.”

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If this year’s matchup is anything like last year’s, another classic is brewing in Boswell.

“Just excited to go battle another good football team and see where we stand after Week 8,” Black said.

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