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DAVIDSVILLE -- The fourth-seeded Northern Bedford Black Panthers knocked off top-seeded Conemaugh Township, 34-21, to advance to the District 5 Class 1A championship at Windber next Friday.
Northern Bedford dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That allowed its offense to take control of the game early and their defense had consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback.
"Everything (went right), except for the fourth quarter," Northern Bedford coach Garry Black said. "We challenged our guys to come up here, ignore the record, and start the season over. We played Northern Bedford football. They have a stout offensive line. We were able to play really well."
The Panthers move on to face Meyersdale, a team that they beat, 28-21, four weeks ago.
"This is the fourth meeting in two years," coach Black said. "We'll enjoy this one tonight and then we'll get back to it."
Northern Bedford wasted no time jumping on the board, marching down the field, allowing Erik Swanseen to score from 33 yards out. After exchanging punts, Conemaugh Township matched them with a 51-yard touchdown from Greyson Studer to Micah Murray.
On the following drive, Northern Bedford faced third-and-18 from its own 18. Trace Baker took the gamble, throwing it deep for Kolsen Feathers, and he hauled it in, taking it 82 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
"I just throw it up to my guys," Baker said, "My line did great, I stood in there forever and just waited. You just got to throw nukes sometimes."
From there, the Panthers took all the momentum and a Swanseen's second touchdown gave the Panthers a 20-7 lead into halftime.
Northern Bedford didn't take the foot off the throttle after the half either as a big pass breakup on fourth down led to a long drive, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run from Jordan Free. The Panthers forced another punt after that, and Baker threw another deep ball, this time for Nevin Lloyd, and they connected for the 80-yard score.
Conemaugh Township added a couple scores at the end of the game, but the Panthers' lead was just too much to overcome.
Play of the game: Baker's big touchdown pass on third-and-18 was a huge turning point. If he didn't complete that pass, then the Indians were getting great field position with a chance to take the lead.
Conemaugh Township coach Brandon Studer: "It's not the way that we wanted a good season to end, but kudos to a good football team over there, and we wish them the best of luck next week."
Most vital statistic: The Panthers main three rushers averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 31 rushes.
Notable: Northern Bedford's offensive line didn't allow a single sack and its defensive line held the Indians to just 49 yards on 22 carries.
Records: Northern Bedford (6-5); Conemaugh Township (8-3).
Next week: Northern Bedford will take on Meyersdale. Conemaugh Township's season is over.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Northern Bedford 13 7 14 0 — 34
Conemaugh Township 7 0 0 14 — 21
First Quarter
NBC–E. Swanseen 33 run (C. Ritchey kick), 9:37.
CT– M. Murray 51 pass from G. Studer (G. Sotosky kick) 2:44.
NBC–K. Feathers 82 pass from T. Baker (conversion failed) 0:33.
Second Quarter
NBC–Swanseen 1 run (Ritchey kick) 5:56.
Third Quarter
NBC–J. Free 5 run (Ritchey kick), 7:30.
NBC–N. Lloyd 80 pass from Baker (Ritchey kick), 4:47.
Fourth Quarter
CT–W. Shippey 32 pass from Studer (Sotosky kick), 5:48.
CT–Shippey 1 run (Sotosky kick), 0:06.
TEAM STATISTICS NBC CT
First downs 14 9
Total yards 371 308
Rushes-yards 43-205 22-49
Passing 166 259
Comp-att-int 3-10-1 15-30-0
Punts 1-26 4-36.75
Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-yards 4-50 12-86
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Northern Bedford, Swanseen 14-85, Baker 8-74, Free 9-72, Feathers 3-18, Cottle 4-17, Black 3-10, Weimer 1-3, Bowers 1-0. Conemaugh Township, Studer 13-25, B. Conn 4-17, Shippey 4-7, R. Conn 1-0.
PASSING–Northern Bedford, Baker 3-9-2-166, Free 0-1-0-0. Conemaugh Township, Studer 15-30-2-259.
RECEIVING–Northern Bedford, Feathers 1-82, Lloyd 1-80, Cottle 1-4. Conemaugh Township, B. Conn 6-64, Shippey 3-57, R. Conn 2-52, Murray 1-51, Haupt 1-12, Huffman 1-9, Holder 1-3.