Northern Bedford’s 21 Point Third Quarter Propels Panthers Past Reynolds // @NBPantherFBall

Tagged under: District 10, District 5, Gameday Hub, News

TC Jones | November 20, 2021

Though the first half was all Reynolds, the second half was dominated by Northern Bedford. In a game of polarized momentum, the Northern Bedford Panthers took advantage of their second-half surge on way to a 35-22 win over the District 10 Class A champions Reynolds. 

The game started as cold as the Northwestern Pennsylvania air, with both teams trading back-to-back punts on the first four possessions on the way to a scoreless first quarter. 

Reynolds struck first early in the second quarter on a 61-yard rush by talented running back Jalen Wagner, putting the Raiders up 7-0. 

But Northern Bedford quickly hit back on a 5 play 55-yard drive capped off by a 6-yard run by Kainen Brown, tying the game at 7-7. 

N. Bedford scores on a 5 yard run to tie the game 7-7. 7 minutes left in the 1st half. @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/ucAMNHhQaf

— T.C. Jones (@tcjones2007) November 20, 2021

The scoring continued on Reynold’s next drive, with Wagner involved in every part of the 4 play drive, including his 54-yard touchdown reception that put the Raiders up 14-7 going into the half. In fact, Wagner dominated the second quarter on way to 188 yards and 2 touchdowns for the game. The junior running back ended the season with over 2000 rushing yards and 2nd all-time at Reynolds in single-season rush yards. 

“Jalen Wagner is a stud, and he showed it in the first half,” Northern Bedford Head Coach Garry Black praised the Reynolds running back after the game. 

Coming out of halftime, it seemed like Reynolds would continue rolling, with the Raiders defense securing big stops on Northern Bedford’s first drive, leading to a missed 29-yard field goal by the Panthers. 

N. Bedford FG no good. Reynolds leads 14-7 with 9 minutes left in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/RT9I6TOnJt

— T.C. Jones (@tcjones2007) November 20, 2021

And while it seemed like Reynolds had all the momentum, Northern Bedford stole it back two plays later, forcing a fumble deep inside Raider’s territory. The next play, sophomore quarterback Eion Snider connected with freshman wide receiver Aaron Bowers on a seam route for a 28-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 14-14.

From that point, it was all Panthers. Northern Bedford, led by a dominant offensive line, scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a 35-14 lead with 5 minutes left in the game. 

Reynolds would score once more with less than a minute left to close the gap slightly to 35-22, but the depth of the Panthers showed why they would continue to be a serious contender as they continue in the state playoffs. 

“At the end of the day, we have a great football team,” Coach Black said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this group of kids. Right now, we are going to enjoy this win.”

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