Rivalry fuels Northern Bedford, Tussey Mountain football teams
High school football
Garry Black
Jacob Dasher
Garry Black
Jacob Dasher
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Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis don't have the only "Backyard Brawl" in the area.
The sequel, at least regionally, will take place this week when Tussey Mountain travels to Northern Bedford for a 7 p.m. game Friday night.
"It's a football game we love to be part of," Northern Bedford coach Garry Black said. "The two schools, no matter what sport it is, we don't seem to get along on the field or court. There have been a lot of basketball games through the years, both boys and girls, where both programs have been good. Both baseball teams go through the same thing. It's something that carries over from sport to sport because I think the talent level is so equal between the schools. We know those kids. They know us, and it's fun to be part of it."
This year's game might not catch a lot of people's attention just by looking at the records -- Tussey is 2-3 and Northern Bedford is 0-5 -- but that doesn't change the meaning of the game to the players and coaches.
"The kids get up to play Northern Bedford," Tussey Mountain coach Jacob Dasher said. "They do every year, but especially this year. There's a feeling that they can actually beat them. The last couple years, Northern has had really good teams. I still think they have a good team this year. They just have been injury riddled. You hate to say get them while they are down, but it's our best shot right now. That gives our kids motivation. No one in our high school program right now has beaten Northern Bedford, but we know it will be a tough game going in regardless."
Over the last 25 meetings, the Black Panthers are 19-6 and have won seven in a row, including last year's 30-14 win. In 2023, Northern Bedford won 62-28.
"Two close schools, there's going to be a rivalry," Dasher said. "Northern Bedford over the years, being part of it, just in general has kind of gotten the best of Tussey. This is our best chance in years to kind of turn that around. We're hoping to get a win and build some positive momentum for our program."
The Titans had a tough schedule to begin the season but got off to a good 2-1 start with a triple-overtime win over Southern Huntingdon and a one-point victory over Windber.
Unfortunately for Tussey, it did not maintain that momentum the last two weeks.
"We kind of felt like we were getting where we wanted to," Dasher said. "Then, we went to North Star and kind of laid an egg. That one was a little frustrating. Even this past week (against Meyersdale), we're playing these teams close, but when you beat Windber -- you think you're finally getting over the hump and then you have a couple frustrating games. North Star and Meyersdale are both good teams -- the ICC in general is pretty even throughout -- from week to week you never know who is going to beat who."
Noah Lucko leads Tussey Mountain offensively with 534 yards on 99 carries, and Owen Miller has passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns and run for 144 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Cale Day has three sacks and Isaiah Gambol already has four interceptions.
"They are physical and play good defense," Black said. "On offense, they have been very much like us. They will move the ball and not be able to end up scoring. We have dealt with the same thing all year. We know what that's like. But they have a physical running game, and Coach Dasher and (Tussey assistant) Aaron Batzel -- they are Northern Bedford guys who understand if you can run the ball you can win the game. Jacob bought into that, which is fun coming from a guy who was a receiver, getting that mindset. They have developed that and have become physical up front. Cale Day is a great lineman. Noah Lucko runs hard, and their quarterback can run too."
Northern Bedford is in the midst of an 0-5 start due in part to many injuries.
"At Everett, a guy came down from the press box with our projected starters from what had been in their newspaper," Black said. "He asked if it was still accurate. I had to scratch four of the five names off. He was like -- 'wow' -- so we have been to the depths and back. We have had to play linemen that we came into the season thinking were our 10th or 11th best linemen. Hopefully it makes us better in the long run."
Black is putting the bad start to the season behind him and his players.
"We have had a lot of guys have to step in and play before we thought they were going to play," Black said. "Because of that, I think we'll be better for it. We may not look better right now record wise, but I talked to the kids about how we're starting this season over. Our freshmen aren't freshmen. Our sophomores aren't sophomores. They are getting an extra year of eligibility, because 'Season A' is done. We're in 'Season B,' and we get to start with our rivals. We have had a lot of guys that had to grow up, and at this point, we can't keep making the excuse that they don't have experience. They have five games under their belt. They have a 'season' under their belt and are ready to go."