Mountaineers eclipse Comets!

Tagged under: District 5, District 6, Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News

Greg Ricupero | October 30, 2022

Appalachian Bowl

Crossover Game between Heritage Conference & WestPac Winners

Penns Manor Comets (9-0) vs Berlin Brothersvalley Mountaineers (9-0) at Windber

Two Conference winners meet Saturday night for the Appalachian Bowl Championship. One walked away feeling pretty good about themselves. The other licking their wounds. Berlin Brothersvalley posted their eighth shutout in 10 games with a 35-0 win. Berlin is very, very fast. They swarm to the ball. Not only are their skill players fast, they are also big and strong. Their offense is fast as they like to go no huddle.

The Mountaineers took the opening kickoff and went 72 yards in two and a half minutes. They converted a fourth and eleven from the Comets 22 with a Josiah Rock touchdown reception. It was the first of three Pace Prosser touchdown passes. The Comets are are tough running team. On their first play tight end Carter Smith filling in at running back for the injured Ashton Courvina gained 11 yards carrying a host of Mountaineers. It would be the bright spot for Penns Manor. Two plays later quarterback Max Hill loss the ball attempting to pass. Grant Mathias picked up the ball and raced to the Comets three. On the next play Holby McClucas scored to make it 14-0. The Comets would fumble again on their next play. The Comets defense which has three shutouts of its own however would rise up and force a three and out. However the exchanged forced the Comets to play the rest of the half penned up inside their own 20.

Berlin would miss a field goal at the beginning of the second quarter when it was partially blocked. The game at this point seemed very one sided but the Comets were only down two scores. With seven minutes to go in the half Hill tried to throw deep to Justin Marshall who had gotten behind the defense. The pass was underthrown and intercepted by Prosser who raced down the home sideline for a touchdown. Berlin’s final drive of the half was a beautiful two minute drive which took 54 seconds as Prosser hit a wide open McClucas for a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Comets got the ball first to start the second half  and had their best starting field position at their own 37. However they went three and out. Berlin would go 71 yards in two minutes and 12 seconds to make it 35-0. Again it was Prosser to McClucas to start the mercy rule.

Both teams not wanting to risk injury and knowing the outcome was in hand pounded the ball on the ground as the clock quickly ran down. Final Berlin 35 Penns Manor 0

PM  0- 0- 0- 0=0

BB 14-14-7- 0=35

BB-Josiah Rock 22 pass from Pace Prosser xp Connor Montgomery 9:22 (0-7)

BB-Holby McClucas 3 run xp Montgomery 7:37 (0-14)

BB-Prosser 55 interception return xp Montgomery 6:55 (0-21)

BB-McClucas 35 pass from Prosser xp Montgomery 1:21 (0-28)

BB-McClucas 23 pass from Prosser xp Montgomery 7:33 (0-35)

Stat Leaders

Berlin’s Defense 8 shutouts!

Pace Prosser pick 6; 202 passing yards 3 TDs

Holby McClucas 2 TD receptions 1 TD run

Crossover Facts

This was the last year for the Crossover games and Appalachian Bowl as the WestPac comes to an end.

The Heritage Conference dominated the series.

All the Appalachian Bowls were one sided blow outs.

Next Week

PIAA D5 2A Bedford#4 (7-3) at Berlin#1 (10-0)

PIAA D6 1A Glendale #8 (5-5) at Penns Manor#1 (9-1)

Other Heritage Conference Teams

PIAA D6 1 A

#7 Moshannon Valley at #2 Northern Cambria

#6 Homer-Center at #3 Cambria Heights

#5 Portage at #4 Juniata Valley

PIAA D6 2 A

#8 West Shamokin at #1 Richland

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