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By Mike Brode
For the Mirror
LOYSBURG -- With statistical leaders from the class of 2024 graduated and senior leader, Aaron Bowers, sidelined for week 1 with a preseason injury, fans who gathered at Northern Bedford's Panther Community Stadium Friday night were ready to see what this fall's squad had to offer.
The Panthers took advantage of great field position in the first half and used a safety and two Ben Clark touchdowns to spur them to a 36-16 win over Southern Huntingdon.
Play of the game: Connor Donaldson hauled in a 38-yard pass from Vaughn Schleinkofer to set up Clark's first score from the Rocket 3-yard line
Player of the game: NBC's Vaughn Schleinkofer completed 17 passes for 194 and two scores.
Unsung hero: Donaldson's offensive spark and good play on both sides of the ball sparked the Panthers, as well as Northern's Joe O'Brien who made life difficult in the trenches for the Rockets with strong plays on both sides of the ball.
Most vital statistic: Schleinkofer was 4-5 for 84 yards with two touchdowns in the third quarter to increase the Panthers lead to 36-0 to start the mercy clock
Northern Bedford coach Garry Black: "Some of Schleinkofer's passes were near misses in the first half. He really hit his mark in the third quarter to seal tonight's win. We needed to block a little better in the early going to help increase our rushing numbers. ''
Southern Huntingdon coach Aaron Batzel: "This is a young team for us and a lot of freshman made some plays. Aiden Berrier had some really nice runs. We must figure out how to get our offense going a little more. I think as our senior leadership comes around, we are capable at playing at a winning level. We just could not win the field position game in the early going ''
Notable: A botched onside kick attempt to begin the game gave the Panthers the ball on the Rockets side of the field. Play remained there for almost the entire first half ... Northern Bedford finally cashed in on a safety when the Rockets lined up for a punt at their own 21, but saw the snap sail into the end zone. Ben Weitzel met the punter in the endzone for the safety. … Carson "Rooster" Foor quickly made his way up Black's depth chart and had a solid game on the defensive side of the ball
Records: Northern Bedford (1-0) Southern Huntingdon (0-1)
Next week: Both teams hit the road as Northern Bedford travels to Claysburg Kimmel and Southern Huntingdon plays at Tussey Mountain
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Southern Huntingdon 0 0 0 16 — 16
Northern Bedford 0 16 20 0 — 36
Second Quarter
NB– Safety 10:27
NB--Clark 3 Run (Kochara kick) 9:18
NB--Clark 7 run (Kochara kick) 2:09
Third Quarter
NB--Suter 3 run (Kochara kick) 7:20
NB--Horsh 29 pass from Schleinkofer (conversion failed bad snap) 2:49
NB-- Donaldson 27 pass from Schleinkofer (Kochara Kick) 1:24
Fourth Quarter
SH--Berrier 1 run (Berrier run), 9:08
SH--Berrier 18 run (Cromwell pass from Gibbons) 4:41
TEAM STATISTICS SH NB
First downs 8 14
Total yards 128 303
Rushes-yards 35-105 34-109
Yards passing 23 194
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 2-13-2 17-30-0
Punts-avg. 3-25 4-27
Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-yards 3-12 10-80
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Southern Huntingdon: Berrier 19-96, Grissinger 2-20, Gibbons 6-2, Cromwell 4-2, Rice 2-2, Flood 1-4 Team 1-(minus 21) . Northern Bedford: .Clark 17-70, Pittman 3-28, Suter 3-11, Schleinkofer 4-7, Snider 2-7, Feathers 3-7 team 2 (minus 21)
PASSING--Southern Huntingdon: Gibbons 2-13-2-23. Northern Bedford: Schleinkofer 17-28-2-194, Cottle 0-1-0-0, Baker 0-1-0-0
RECEIVING--Southern Huntingdon: Oswald 1-26, Grissinger 1-(-3). Northern Bedford: .Donaldson 4-68, Pittman 4-32, Clouse 4-23, Horsh 3-43, Clark 1-22, Snider 1-6.