LOYSBURG - In last week's blowout win against Everett, the Glendale High School football team and quarterback Tyler Jenny proved they could put a lot of points on the board, something Northern Bedford needed to prepare for as they hosted the Vikings on Friday.
Not only did the Panthers' defense prove that they were up to the challenge, but NBC's offense showed that it had a few weapons of its own. Panthers senior running back Preston Albright ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns in leading his team to a 28-18 victory over Glendale at Panther Community Stadium. NBC rushed for 232 yards total in the game.
"It was a big step," Albright said. "Since we took this step, we can go undefeated. It just blew my mind. It was unbelievable."
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Northern Bedford coach Jeff Batzel discusses his team's win
The Panthers jumped out of the box early, beginning the game with an 11-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Logan Fluke to tight end Willie Sollenberger. But the Vikings passing game struck back quickly. On their first play of the game, Jenny found wide receiver Ty Stackhouse for a short pass. Stackhouse made one move and broke upfield, outracing everyone for a 67-yard touchdown.
But the explosive score didn't faze NBC coach Jeff Batzel or his players.
"They're a veteran group, so they didn't really need calmed down," Batzel said. "We were in this position last week against Mo Valley. The same thing happened and we realized there was still 45 minutes to play. We just kept doing what we do and made adjustments to deal with any problems we had."
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Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
Northern Bedford’s Willie Sollenberger pulls in a long touchdown throw in front of Glendale’s Matt Mencer.
After the early score, the Panthers line began to dominate. On defense, they gave up just 58 yards rushing and spent a lot of time in the Vikings backfield, while on offense they opened holes left and right for Albright and the other NBC runners. Jenny did most of his team's damage through the air, throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns, the last of which came as time expired in the fourth quarter.
But despite the passing yards, the senior signal caller was constantly pressured, leading to two interceptions and a fumble. The turnovers - Glendale had four total - were the difference in the game, said Vikings coach Michael Keith.
"It was [the turnovers] and that we couldn't stop their run," he said. "If you can't stop somebody's run, you're not winning the game. And you can't turn the ball over and expect to win."
A positive turnover differential was an NBC goal coming into the game.
"A plus-four turnover ratio, because we didn't turn the ball over, was huge," Batzel said. "We talked about that going into the game, that we would have to get some interceptions or cause fumbles of some sort, because they have a very explosive offense."
Glendale dropped to 1-1 on the season and visits 0-2 West Branch next week. That game will be a chance for the Vikings to get back on the right track.
"I said [to the team], 'Now we can go one of two ways: We can go up or we can go straight down, like a normal Glendale team,'" Keith said. "It's up to them what we want to do. We can still have a great year and go into the playoffs 8-1. It's up to them."
NBC improved to 2-0 after what may have been its toughest early season test. The table seems set for the Panthers to make a run at an undefeated season.
"I'm very pleased with where we're at," Batzel said. "We just have to keep plugging away and keep improving, because everybody else will be, too."
Game notes: Prior to Friday night's game, Glendale senior Luke Westover was named the Army Iron Man of the Week for his two touchdown, two interception performance against Everett last week.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Glendale6 6 0 6 - 18
Northern Bedford7 14 7 0 - 28
First quarter
NB-W. Sollenberger 21 pass from Fluke (Thomas kick), 6:38.
G-Stackhouse 67 pass from Jenny (kick blocked), 6:18.
Second quarter
NB-Albright 2 rush (Thomas kick), 11:17.
NB-Albright 5 rush (Thomas kick), 9:34.
G-Cree 6 pass from Jenny (pass failed), :06
Third quarter
NB-Albright 27 rush (Thomas kick), 2:24.
Fourth quarter
G-Braniff 32 pass from Jenny, :00.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Glendale-Braniff 6-17, Jenny 12-39, Sutton 2-0, Bickford 1-3, Cree 1-(-1), Westover 1-0. Northern Bedford-Albright 30-122, Troutman 8-66, Fluke 3-(-2), M. Sollenberger 9-46.
PASSING: Glendale-Fluke 15-23-2-253. Northern Bedford-Fluke 5-8-0-89.
RECEIVING: Glendale-Stackhouse 5-101, Westover 3-19, Braniff 4-64, Ferrell 1-38, Cree 2-31. Northern Bedford-Troutman 3-13, W. Sollenberger 1-21, Oswalt 1-55.
INTERCEPTIONS: Northern Bedford-W. Sollenberger, Fluke.
TEAM STATISTICSGNB
First downs1415
Yards rushing23-5850-232
Passing (comp.-att.-int.)15-23-25-8-0
Yards passing25389
Total yards311321
Fumbles lost2-22-0
Penalties-yards5-608-52
Punts-avg.2-47.54-29.5
