Published: September 11, 2008 11:54 pm      

Teams get chance to break through

The Somerset County rivalry between Berlin Brothersvalley and Shade which has been going on for decades, renews on Friday night in a WestPAC clash in Cairnbrook.

Last season, the Panthers had just one victory on the field, a 16-0 victory over the Mountaineers in Week 8.

Both squads have gotten off to tough starts this season with Berlin losing to a pair of Class AA opponents, North Star (33-13) and Chestnut Ridge (28-0), and Shade falling to Conemaugh Valley (41-22) and North Star (52-6).

“We have a large number of young players and we were able to hang with North Star and Chestnut Ridge for part of the game,” Berlin coach Doug Paul said. “We’ve been inconsistent part of the time and have to start putting together 48 minutes. We’re excited to finally be playing a school that’s our size.”

The Mountaineers had the ball inside the Lions’ 20 three separate times, but couldn’t score.

“We’ve been developing our depth,” Paul said. “Our younger players have been pretty successful and we only have one senior on defense. We just have to focus on one game at a time.”

Jacob Hetzer scored Shade’s lone touchdown against the Cougars.

Panthers coach Pete Kuharchek did not return a phone call.

WestPAC

North Star at Meyersdale: The Cougars (2-0) crushed Shade 52-6 last week while the Red Raiders (1-1) were clipped 48-7 at Conemaugh Valley.

Quarterback Cory Kalten-baugh threw a pair of touchdown passes to Luke Zellem for North Star in the win over the Panthers. Mike Knisely added two rushing touchdowns for the Cougars while Josh Firm and Richie Meehleib each ran for one.

Josh Kuncher had an interception return for a score.

Matt Donaldson scored Meyersdale’s lone touchdown against the Blue Jays.

The Cougars rolled over the Red Raiders 48-22 in 2007.

Portage at Windber: The Mustangs (2-0) galloped over Blacklick Valley 54-7 last week and the Ramblers (1-1) were shut out 14-0 by Conemaugh Township.

Tommy Burgan rushed for two Portage touchdowns and caught a scoring strike from Taylor Swires in the Mustangs victory over the Vikings. Also, Mike Sinosky supplied a pair of touchdowns while Jared Pisarchik, Zach Cronauer and Dean Bimle each added a Portage touchdown against Blacklick Valley.

Windber’s Kevin Erickson finished with 53 yards on 12 carries while quarterback Brandon Ulasky had 52 yards on seven carries in the loss to the Indians.

The Mustangs shut out the Ramblers 14-0 last season.

Laurel Highlands

Forest Hills at Bedford: The Rangers (2-0) held off hard-charging Johnstown in overtime, 27-21, while the Bisons (0-2) fell to Bishop Carroll 39-16.

Tyler Rosenberger caught two touchdown passes from Zack Glessner for Forest Hills, which also got two touchdown runs from Scott Mehall, including the gamewinner, in the victory over the Trojans.

Paul Detwiler had a kickoff return for one Bedford touchdown and Kyle Deneen threw to Kurt Crawford for the other against the Huskies.

The Rangers triumphed 27-12 in 2007.

Penn Cambria at Central Cambria: Both teams bounced back from season opening losses in Week 2. The Panthers (1-1) quelled Westmont Hilltop 36-28 and the Red Devils (1-1) held off Richland 21-14 in overtime.

Zak Newton rushed for 255 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns in Penn Cambria’s win over the Hilltoppers. Matt Glenn added a scoring run and Adam Zalisnock had an interception return for the Panthers.

Andrew O’Saben rushed for two touchdowns for Central Cambria, which also got a scoring run from Tim Myers in the victory over the Rams.

Last year, the Red Devils defeated the Panthers 22-8.

Westmont at Johnstown: The Hilltoppers (0-2) fell to Penn Cambria 36-28 while the Trojans (1-1) took Forest Hills to overtime before losing 27-21.

Quarterback Josh Swick threw touchdown passes to Mike Valcheff and John Valcheff in Westmont’s loss to the Panthers.

T.J. Keklak added a pair of scoring runs.

Carlton Wyatt had a pair of touchdown receptions from Johnstown quarterback John Siciliano in the loss to the Rangers while Kashmir Pretlor returned an interception for another Trojans score.

The Hilltoppers trumped the Trojans 14-7 last year.

Bishop McCort at Somerset: The Crimson Crushers (2-0) survived a high-scoring, 39-35, battle with diocesan rival Bishop Guilfoyle and the Golden Eagles (0-2) fell in double overtime to Cambria Heights, 26-20, last week.

Eric Lowry rushed for a Bishop McCort touchdown, caught a scoring strike from Jack Schrey, who also threw for a score to Matt Ingram, and returned a kickoff for a third touchdown against the Marauders.

The Crushers’ Josh Seidel added another rushing touchdown and Dane Domonkos kicked a 38-yard field goal.

Adam Jones rushed for two Somerset touchdowns and Chase Dykstra added the other against the Highlanders.

The Crushers defeated the Golden Eagles 35-21 last season.

Heritage

Blairsville at Ligonier Valley: In Week 2, the Bobcats (1-1) fell 33-27 in overtime to Purchase Line while the Mounties (1-1) bounced back from an opening week loss to defeat United 41-22.

Blairsville quarterback Justin McGinnis completed 15 of 29 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns. George McGuckin had six catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Zack Faith caught the other touchdown pass.

Jackson Corcoran rushed for four Ligonier Valley touchdowns while Curtis Markosky added another Mounties touchdown run against the Lions.

Will Fennell threw for another touchdown to Josh Derk.

The Mounties crushed the Bobcats 42-6 in 2007.

Northern Cambria at United: Last week, the Colts (1-1) fell to Homer-Center 41-34 and the Lions (0-2) were corralled by Ligonier Valley 41-22.

Andy Paronish rushed for three Northern Cambria touchdowns and scored another on a kickoff return in the loss to the Wildcats.

Anthony Penska rushed for another Colts score.

Jared Long rushed for a pair of United touchdowns and Jason Anderson added another.

The Lions were shut out 28-0 last year.

Also

Conemaugh Township at Chestnut Ridge: The Indians (2-0) surprised Windber 14-0 last week and the Lions (1-1) shut out Berlin Brothersvalley 28-0.

Seth Zaman scored both Indians’ touchdowns in the win over the Ramblers.

Justin Taylor and Josh McDannell each scored a pair of touchdowns for the Lions in their victory against Berlin.

The teams did not play last season.