2023 Inter-County Conference (South) Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 5, News
Brian Ingalls | August 24, 2023
2023 Inter-County South Conference Preview
2022 Inter-County Conference Standings Record Conf/Ovr
- Northern Bedford (8-0/11-1)
- Bellwood-Antis (6-2/6-5)
- Southern Huntingdon (6-3/7-4)
- Juniata Valley (6-3/6-5)
- Mount Union (5-3/6-5)
- West Branch (4-3/4-6)
- Moshannon Valley (4-4/5-6)
- Glendale (4-5/5-6)
- Tussey Mountain (3-5/4-7)
- Curwensville (2-6/3-7)
- Claysburg-Kimmel (1-6/1-9)
- Everett (0-9/0-10)
There are been some changes for the Inter-County Conference for the 2023 Football Season. Bellwood-Antis left the conference for the LHAC. Four new teams have been added to the conference. The new comers are Berlin, Windber, North Star, and Meyersdale. The now 15 team conference is divided into two divisions. Here are the 2023 division alignment:
ICC-North |
ICC-South |
| Claysburg-Kimmel | Berlin-Brothersvalley |
| Curwensville | Everett |
| Glendale | Meyersdale |
| Juniata Valley | North Star |
| Moshannon Valley | Northern Bedford |
| Mount Union | Tussey Mountain |
| Southern Huntingdon | Windber |
| West Branch |
The South division is made up of 7 teams-all from District 5. There are 5 single A teams and 2 double A teams. All of the Inter-County Conference new teams are in the South Division. These four new teams all played in the WestPac last year: Berlin, Windber, North Star, and Meyersdale.
Northern Bedford Black Panthers
2022 Record: 8-0 Conf / 11-1 Ovr
Head Coach-Garry Black
9th Season (65-29)
Last season the Black Panthers had a perfect and dominate regular season, and then beat Tussey Mountain in the D5 A semifinals. The Northern Bedford perfect season then came to an end in the D5 A Championship where they lost to a good Windber team 14-0.
Coach Black has just about everyone returning from that great 2022 team. Northern Bedford has 10 returning starters on defense and 9 from offense. Senior QB Eion Snider is back to lead the offense. Snider threw for 1800 yards with 18 TDs and rushed for 260 yards and 4 TDs last season. Also back is Senior RB Adam Johnson after leading the team in rushing last year with 1500 yards and 28 TDs. Johnson also had 500 receiving yards and 5 TDs. Junior FB Ashton Detterline returns in the backfield. Senior TE Rece Dibert returns after playing all over last year. Junior WR Aaron Bowers and Senior WR Ben Gable round out the returning skill players on offense. These two combined for 1000 yards receiving and 9 TDs. Bowers is also a great return specialist as he was named to the PFN All state first team as a punt/kickoff return specialist. The OL returns four starters in Senior T Brock Beach (6’1” 265), Senior C Noah Baker (6’0” 195), Senior G Josiah Bowser (6’4” 270), and Senior G Brian Amick (5’10” 220). The great offense from 2022 shouldn’t miss a beat with all these returning starters.
On a defense that only allowed 12 points per game, had 19 sacks, and 15 INTs last year, the Black Panthers return all but one starter. On the DL Northern Bedford returns DE Bowser, Senior DE Keyan Guyer (6’0” 160) 4 sacks, and DT Beach. Leading tackler from last year Safety Bowers returns (57 tackles 2 INTs). Also returning in the defensive backfield are: Gable (3 INTs) and Snider (4 INTs) at the corners. The returning LBs are Senior Logan Pepple (42 tackles and 5 sacks), Johnson (39 tackles and 2 sacks), Dibert (47 tackles and 2 sacks), and Detterline (51 tackles).
With all this experience, Northern Bedford should be the top team in the Inter-County Conference and should make a deep run in the post season at single A. Some of the highlight games from the 2023 schedule are week 1 at Southern Huntingdon, week 3 home against Quad A DuBois, week 5 home against Berlin, and week 9 at Windber.
Berlin-Brothersvalley Mountaineers
2022 Record: 5-0 Conf (WestPac) / 11-1 Ovr
Head Coach-Doug Paul
22nd Season 160-73
In 2022, Belin had one of best defenses in the area. This defense held their first 7 opponents scoreless including a 14-0 win against Windber. Berlin had 8 shutouts on the season and had a perfect 10-0 regular season. The Mountaineers went on to beat Bedford (27-12) in the D5/D8 AA playoffs, but then lost to eventual AA state runner up Westinghouse (59-7).
Long time coach Doug Paul will have some work to do to replace about half the starters from that great 2022 season. Last year’s leading tackler is back in Senior LB Cody Kimmel (92 tackles and 2.5 sacks). Also, back from that great defense are Junior DE Cooper Huston (85 tackles and 5 sacks), Senior S Pace Prosser (6 INTs and 49 tackles), Junior S Haydon Hutzell (2 INTs) and Senior LB Aidan Ream (71 tackles).
On offense, Berlin has their starting QB back in Senior Pace Prosser. Prosser threw for 1700 yards and 24 TDs with only 5 INTs. Prosser also rushed for 528 yards and 8 TDs. Senior RB Aidan Ream and Junior RB Cooper Huston return after combining for 400 yards and 5 TDs are back. Senior WR Cody Kimmel and Sophomore OL Cody Livengood (6’1” 245) round out the returning starters on offense.
Coach Paul had this to say about the upcoming season:
“The key to this season is developing some linemen and some young skill players to provide depth. As with any small school football program we have to stay healthy at some positions that we have limited depth at.”
Also, Berlin has these key newcomers this season: Haydon Hutzell WR/S, Zander Ritenour WR/CB, Seth Kimmel RB/LB, Levi Leonard OL/DL
Berlin should battle Northern Bedford and Windber for the top of the ICC-South. Some of the highlight games for Berlin are week 2 home against Mount Union, week 4 at Laurel, week 5 at Northern Bedford, and week 8 home against Windber.
Windber Ramblers
2022 Record: 4-1 Conf (WestPac) / 11-2 Ovr
Head Coach-Matt Grohal
13th Season (82-50)
Last season Windber had a great season going 9-1 in the regular season. Windber’s regular season loss came to Berlin (14-0) in week 5. Windber beat, previously unbeaten, Northern Bedford 14-0 in the D5 A Championship. Windber went on to lose to the eventual state A champion Steelton Highspire 37-7 in the first round of the PIAA A State playoffs. Last season, RB John Shuster had a great season with 2669 yards rushing with 38 TDs. Shuster ended his terrific career with over 6700 yards and 100 TDs.
Coach Grohal said this about the upcoming season:
“We lost a lot of quality players off last year’s District Championship squad. We have had a tremendous off season in the weight room and so far through the summer. If we can stay healthy and develop some of our younger players from last years undefeated JV squad, I think we have a chance to have a successful 2023 season.”
Coach Grohal has some returning starters from that great 2022 season. The OL returns Junior T Ryan Grohal (6’0” 230), Junior Eddie Richards (5’9” 200), and Junior TE Lucas Oleksa (6’0” 205). Junior RB Luke Hostetler returns after rushing for 490 yards and 6 TDs last year. Other returning starters on offense are Junior SE Evan Brady, Senior WB Colin Marx, and Junior WB Bryce Cicarell.
On defense Oleksa returns after being third for tackles on the team last year (61 tackles). Junior Safety Evan Brady returns after having 3 INTs last season. Other returning starters on defense are Hostetler CB, Richards NG, Marx S, and Chicarell CB.
Windber’s key newcomers are: Dylan Woodruff WB/S, Dalton Strick WB/CB, and Mason Horner OL/DL.
Windber will be in a tough battle with Northern Bedford and Berlin in the ICC-South. Windber will also be in a tough battle with Northern Bedford for the D5 A championship.
Tussey Mountain Titans
2022 Record: 3-5 Conf / 4-7 Ovr
Head Coach-Jacob Dasher
1st Season
Last season, the Titans had a losing record but qualified for the D5 A playoffs. They lost to a good Northern Bedford team 35-13 in the D5 A semifinals.
Coach Dasher inherits a team with some experience at the offensive and defensive skill positions, but he will have to rebuild the line on both side of the ball.
The 2022 team leader in rushing is back in Senior RB Isaiah Sosak. Sosak rushed for 1200 yards and 15 TDs. Senior ATH Kyler Coffman returns after rushing for 600 yards and 5 TDs last season. Junior QB Landon Myers will return as the starting QB after throwing for 600 yards and 4 TDs last year. Other returning starters on offense are: Senior T Gavin Mills (6’2” 267), Sophomore RB/FB/TE Noah Lucko, Senior WR Collin Gillis (440 yards and 6 TDs), and Junior Jack Stoudnour (200 yards).
Last season’s leading tackler LB Lucko (87 tackles and 4 sacks) returns on defense. Junior Connor Jones CB returns after having 4 INTs last season. Other returning starters on defense are: Mills DL, Sosak (28 tackles and 3 sacks), Junior LB Gavin Hall, CB Gillis, CB Coffman, and S Stoudnour.
Coach Dasher will know what kind of team he has as the Titans play at Mount Union, at Southern Huntingdon, and home against Windber to start the season. Tussey Mountain will play at Northern Bedford and home against Berlin weeks 6 and 7.
North Star Cougars
2022 Record: 2-3 Conf (WestPac) / 4-6 Ovr
Head Coach-Bob Landis
4th Season (9-19)
Coach Landis look to turn around a North Star program that hasn’t had a winning record in the last decade. North Star returns Senior QB Connor Yoder after throwing for 1600 yards and 18 TDs last season. Junior RB Ethan Smith returns after leading the team in rushing last year (531 yards and 5 TDs). Smith also caught 25 passes for 405 yards and 7 TDs. On the OL, the Cougars return Senior C Grant Mowry (6’2” 240), Senior TE/T Ethan Eller (6’4” 240) and Senior G Dylan Shroyer (6’0” 292). Senior WR Garrett Tunstall returns after having 200 yards receiving and 2 TDs last season.
On defense North Star returns Safety Smith (63 tackles), DE Eller (6 sacks and 42 tackles), LB Yoder (53 tackles), DL Mowry, DL Shroyer, CB Tunstall.
Coach Landis has a tough schedule with Northern Bedford, Berlin, and Windber in their division. North Star also plays Juniata Valley and West Branch from the North division.
Meyersdale Red Raiders
2022 Record: 1-4 Conf (WestPac) / 2-7 Ovr
Head Coach-Ryan Donaldson
6th Season (18-31)
Meyersdale has had a rough few seasons since going 9-2 in 2019. The last three seasons the Red Raiders have only won 4 games total.
Coach Donaldson had this to say about the season:
“We will look to our senior class and their experience gained the past two seasons to lead us this season. There will also be several underclassmen who have been starters and key contributors playing a role this season. Brady McKenzie, Malachi Carr, Tristin Ohler, Zach Summy, and Ian Brenneman will all be leaders on the offensive side of the ball. McKenzie, Carr, Summy, Conner Shuck, Zack Ryan, and Lance Jones will be contributors on the defensive side of the ball. Karter Schurg will be back as a leader on both offense and defense for the Red Raiders.”
Meyersdale’s returning starters are: Senior QB/CB Drake Sellers, Senior RB/LB Ian Brenneman, Senior TE/DE Walker Bunnell, Senior OL/DL Brady McKenzie (5’10” 230), Senior WR/DB Tristin Ohler, Senior WR/DB Malachi Carr, Senior OL/DE Zach Summy, Junior WR/DB Karter Schurg, Sophomore QB/DB Lance Jones, Senior OL/LB Conner Shuck (5’10” 160), Senior P Blake Marteney, Junior OL/DL Dylan Teets (5’9” 227), Junior HB/LB Zack Ryan, Junior TE/DE Connor Brenneman.
Meyersdale key newcomers are: Senior OL/DL Elijah Eisentrout, Senior TE/DE Dylan Hay, Junior RB/LB Jordan Synowietz, Junior C/DL Conner Miller(5’10” 224), Sophomore OL/DL Landon Ludy(6’2” 308), Sophomore WR/CB Matthew Hainsworth, and Freshman RB/LB Spencer Whitfield.
Everett Warriors
2022 Record: 0-9 Conf / 0-10 Ovr
Head Coach-Brian Koontz
2nd Season (0-10)
Everett looks for a winning season for the time since 2018. The last four season have been disappointing with only 3 wins in those seasons.
Coach Koontz had this to say about the 2023 season:
“We need to learn to compete on a daily basis and stay focused on what we do and do it well. Fundamental football will be crucial for our success this season.”
Everett has these returning starters: Junior OL/DL Zach Winck (6’0 240), Senior G Avery Fletcher (6’0” 200), Senior OL/DL Drake Fetters (6’2” 240), Senior FB/LB Gaven Brown, Senior TE/LB George Kuhne, Junior WR/LB Coty Cessna, Senior QB/WR/DB Ian Klahre, Sophomore LB Gaven Goodrich, Senior DE Rylan Murdock, Junior WR/DB Dillen Bell, and Junior OL Hunter Conrath, (5’10” 185).
Everett’s key newcomers are: QB Jonathan Cooper, RB Jakobe Harman, RB/WR/DB Brian Poteat, OL
Dylan Mobus, OL Aiden Harriman, OL Quinton Reighard, OL/DL Lane Whitfield, and QB/ATH/DBNolan Whisel.
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