Zach Bowers’ late score seals win for Northern Bedford County
H.S. Football Extra
Zach Bowers breaks a tackle on his way to score NBC’s first touchdown against Windber Friday night. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Ben Clark picks up some yardage as Windber’s Dylan Woodruff closes in for a tackle. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford’s Zach Bowers fails to haul in a pass as time was running out in the first half with Windber’s Ike Serenko (3) and Dylan Woodruff (11) closing in. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford’s Ben Clark and Connor Davidson (left) converge on Windber’s Ike Serenko. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Windber’s Cole Mash (9) is tackled by is tackled by Zach Bowers (21) and Cole Snyder. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Zach Bowers breaks a tackle on his way to score NBC’s first touchdown against Windber Friday night. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford-Windber game officials gather at midfield during a moment of silence prior to the game. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Zach Bowers breaks a tackle on his way to score NBC’s first touchdown against Windber Friday night. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Ben Clark picks up some yardage as Windber’s Dylan Woodruff closes in for a tackle. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford’s Zach Bowers fails to haul in a pass as time was running out in the first half with Windber’s Ike Serenko (3) and Dylan Woodruff (11) closing in. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford’s Ben Clark and Connor Davidson (left) converge on Windber’s Ike Serenko. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Windber’s Cole Mash (9) is tackled by is tackled by Zach Bowers (21) and Cole Snyder. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Zach Bowers breaks a tackle on his way to score NBC’s first touchdown against Windber Friday night. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
Northern Bedford-Windber game officials gather at midfield during a moment of silence prior to the game. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes
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WINDBER -- The Northern Bedford Panthers knocked off the Windber Ramblers with a game-winning touchdown grab from Zach Bowers, sealing the 28-21 final at Windber Stadium.
After starting out 0-7, the Panthers have caught fire with their second straight win. They also keep their goal of a district championship alive.
"Our record does not reflect the team that we are," Northern Bedford coach Gary Black said. "We've lost a lot of close games and we finally found a way to come together. That's two in a row and our goal has not changed. Our goal is to win a district championship, and I'm very excited about what we did tonight."
Windber got off to a quick start off the legs of Ike Serenko for a 15-yard score. Northern Bedford responded with a 48-yard jet toss to Bowers. Windber regained the lead with Serenko's second score on a screen from 27 yards out.
Ben Clark came out of halftime with a big 37-yard touchdown rush to tie up the game. Clark followed with a 57-yard rush to set up a 14-yard touchdown rush from Trace Baker.
Windber responded with a 14-yard touchdown from Cole Mash, and the Panthers got the ball with four minutes to work with. They marched down the field and Baker launched it up to Bowers for the game winner.
Play of the game: With 24 seconds on the clock and on fourth down, Baker's 25-yard passing touchdown to Bowers for the win.
Player of the game: Baker threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Unsung hero: Clark rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown.
Most vital statistic: Northern Bedford stopped Windber in the redzone three times.
Black: "We've known we can compete in the playoffs all year. We just haven't been able to make the splash plays. Tonight we had them and that's what it's about. Kudos to our kids for making them.''
Winder coach Matt Grohal: "We've told the kids all week that they are the best 1-7 team in the state. They are very well coached and hats off to those guys. They are a very solid football team. There is no shame in losing to those guys."
Baker: "I thank my offensive line for blocking for me and I always know Zach Bowers is done there somewhere. Glad we kept fighting. We started off with a really hard season and we just keep pushing through. Hopefully we can keep playing like that through the playoffs."
Notable: Windber had two rushers over 100 yards in Serenko and Mash.
Records: Northern Bedford (2-7); Windber (5-3).
Next week: Northern Bedford travels to Glendale, and Windber heads to Juniata Valley.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Northern Bedford 7 0 14 7 -- 28
Windber 7 7 0 7 -- 21
First Quarter
W--I. Serenko 15 run (Krause kick), 2:32.
NB--Z. Bowers 48 pass from T. Baker (Hart kick), 2:16.
Second Quarter
W--I. Serenko 27 pass from L. Rummel (Krause kick), 6:25.
Third Quarter
NB--B. Clark 37 run (Hart kick), 6:41.
NB--T. Baker 14 run (Hart kick), 0:55.
Fourth Quarter
W--C. Mash 14 run (Krause kick), 3:59.
NB--Z. Bowers 25 pass from T. Baker (Hart kick), 0:18.
TEAM STATISTICS NB W
First downs 10 15
Total yards 361 341
Rushes-yards 34-270 45-291
Yards passing 91 50
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 6-13-1 5-16-2
Punts-avg. 3-35.3 2-39
Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 5-25 7-56
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Northern Bedford, Clark 18-202, Baker 12-63, Bowers 2-2, Swanseen 1-2, Donaldson 1-1. Windber, Serenko 18-141, Mash 15-134, Woodruff 2-5, Rummel 10-11.
PASSING--Northern Bedford, Baker 6-13-2-91, Clark 0-1-0-0. Windber, Rummel 5-15-1-50, Mash 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING--Northern Bedford, Bowers 3-81, Donaldson 3-10. Windber, Serenko 2-25, Mash 2-7, Woodruff 1-20.