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BOSWELL — Berlin Brothersvalley snapped a 3-game losing streak with a 14-9 victory over North Star, Oct. 17, at Memorial Field. In the process, the Mountaineers secured a District 5-2A playoff berth under first-year head coach Dante Paul.
“We’ve been in three of these (close) games this year with Meyersdale, Windber and now North Star, where the first two, we just came out on the wrong side of it,” said Paul. “It’s finally good to be on the right side of it. Securing a playoff spot with the young guys is big for momentum.”
It was a scoreless first quarter, before the Mountaineers (5-4) tallied two touchdowns in the second frame.
Berlin senior defensive lineman Levi Leonard read a middle screen and picked off North Star quarterback Kasey Yoder, then raced 31 yards for a touchdown with 6:17 to go in the half. Seth Kimmel tacked on the extra point for a 7-0 advantage.
“Whenever I saw the quarterback backing up and I got through, I knew it was a screen,” Leonard said. “(I) just can’t believe I actually caught the ball.
“That’s the first time I ever ran the ball. The only reason I got there was because I believe Carter Durst got a great block for me. I was just thinking, don’t get caught. Run faster.”
Berlin added to its lead just ahead of halftime. Following a North Star three-and-out and a short punt, Berlin went 60 yards on 11 plays, capped by a Brady Janidlo to Carson Janidlo 11-yard touchdown with 12.4 seconds left. Kimmel added the PAT, and Berlin led 14-0 at the break.
North Star’s Brady Meyers blocked a Berlin punt after a three-and-out to open the third. The Cougars took over at the 1-yard line. However, the Mountaineers came up big, creating two negative plays and a turnover on downs.
The Cougars (3-6) got on the board with a safety on the Mountaineers’ ensuing drive, when a high snap went out of the end zone on a punt attempt. North Star trialed 14-2 with 5:59 left in the third.
In the fourth, North Star marched 87 yards in 2:09 on six plays, capped by a Yoder to Bryson Durst 18-yard touchdown pass. Sean Hemminger added the extra point, and the Cougars trailed 14-9 with 2:03 to go.
The ensuing pooch kick went out-of-bounds. Kimmel, who finished with 91 yards on the ground, picked up a first a down, and the Mountaineers ran out the clock.
North Star managed only 54 yards of offense and had two turnovers prior to its scoring drive in the fourth. It was a lights-out defensive performance from the Mountaineers.
“I challenged (the defense) tonight coming into it,” Paul said. “We haven’t played bad, defensively this year, but I still don’t think at times that we were playing up to our ability. They brought some juice tonight. They played with some life. We lived in their backfield in that first half, and that ultimately swung the momentum going forward. I’m super proud of the way our guys played on defense.”
North Star is officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss to Berlin and a Chestnut Ridge victory over Westmont Hilltop. The Cougars have not defeated the Mountaineers since 2011. North Star has dropped four games by eight points or less this season.
“Tight football game,” North Star coach Bob Landis said. “I’m proud our guys came out and fought in the second half. We had an opportunity at the end. We’ve been on the wrong end of too many of these this year.”
Berlin hosts Moshannon Valley, while North Star entertains West Branch, Oct. 24.
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.
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