2024 Inter County Conference North Preview
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Baron Dionis | August 23, 2024
2023 ICC North Standings (Overall Record/Conference)
- Mount Union 9-3 (8-1)
- Juniata Valley 7-4 (5-3)
- Moshannon Valley 5-6 (4-3)
- West Branch 5-6 (5-4)
- Glendale 3-7 (3-6)
- Claysburg-Kimmel 3-7 (3-7)
- Curwensville 2-8 (2-6)
- Southern Huntingdon 0-10 (0-9)
The North Section of the Inter County Conference looks to be more competitive in 2024 after Mount Union stole the show in 2023. They lost a lot of seniors and teams like Glendale and Claysburg look to improve this year, which will help make this conference more competitive from top to bottom. Let’s take a look at how the ICC North shapes up for the 2024 season.
Claysburg-Kimmel Bulldogs
2023 Record: 3-7
Head Coach Chuck Kassick
2nd Season: 3-7
The Claysburg-Kimmel Bulldogs are looking to return to the playoffs this season with a strong team coming back. The returning players have also taken an initiative to improve with more hard work in the offseason, according to Coach Kassick.
Coach Kassick said, “The team has really bought into the idea of offseason preparation. We had some success in different areas last season, and bring back a lot of experienced players who are determined and want to improve on that. But, they also know we are not where we want to be yet. They’re hungry for success. We have better numbers than recent years also, so we have a lot of players pushing for playing time and competing at many positions.”
The Bulldogs are returning nearly their entire offensive line in Deken Brown, Trevor Ritchey, Landon Knisely, and Colton Replogle. That line is going to protect another starter in Mason Campagna, Claysburgs quarterback. Mark Lattieri is the running back, along with receivers Tyler Mowry and Remington Deihl.
A big season is approaching and the Bulldogs are ready to compete. This could be the year Claysburg returns to the playoffs. The pieces are there.
Curwensville Golden Tide
2023 Record: 2-8
Head Coach Jim Thompson
6th Season: 13-34
Curwensville is another team that returns a solid nucleus of players that could help the Golden Tide win more games. They lost a lot of lineman, but they return a couple, along with a lot of skilled positions.
Quarterback Ty Dumm returns with his receiving core of Hunter Tkacik, Cael Butler, and Lincoln Hoyt. In front of Dumm is Josh Legars and Matt Shaw, who will be joined with a few newcomers.
Coach Thompson says, “We have a strong nucleus of skill players returning and 2 highly experienced offensive lineman. We will lean on this group for their leadership and playmaking ability while our extremely talented underclassmen gain experience. I believe this group is really tight knit, and they have the potential to be a special team.”
Curwensville has a solid team and could win more games in 2024. Watch out for the Golden Tide.
Glendale Vikings
2023 Record: 3-7
Head Coach Dave Trexler
6th Season: 21-30
The Glendale Vikings are another team who did not do well in 2023, but have bright spots that can lead them to more success this year.
Glendale returns quarterback Logan Skebeck, along with star linebacker Landen McGarvey who is now transitioning to a running back after being an offensive lineman his entire career. Jimmy Sutton is another running back/linebacker to do damage this season. Cameron Dreilbelbis is a returning receiver to the offense.
The Vikings have a solid core, but they have a tough schedule ahead of them. They will need players like McGarvey to continue to lead them this season.
Juniata Valley Hornets
2023 Record: 7-4
Head Coach Bill Musser
11th Season: 71-43
Juniata Valley has a strong chance of being the top team in the ICC North this season as they return a lot of players from a season ago. The Hornets lost a few seniors in Luke Uplinger, Bryce Weirich, David Johnson, Connor Robinson, and Kendan Beck, but aside from them, their whole team returns.
Coach Musser said, “We look to be competitive and improve on a day to day basis. If we can add the mental stamina necessary to complete this task we have a chance to be in the playoffs and enjoy another successful year.”
Jett Rand is the Hornets quarterback this season and he will be throwing the ball to Lucas Dick, Trenton Norris, Levi Thompson, and Logan Brantner. All will also contribute on defense too. Adrian Prough will get carries and receptions, while Andrew Clark will receive carries as well. Sam Parks, Logan Harpster, and Zach Dick also return on the line.
Juniata Valley should be dangerous this year and could go on a run in the 1A playoffs.
Moshannon Valley Black Knights
2023 Record: 5-6
Head Coach Chris Davidson
2nd Season: 5-6
Moshannon Valley will be competitive this year, but according to Coach Davidson, they are very young. They return a lot of big guys, which will help a lot, but the lack of experience is tough.
Coach Davidson said, “We will be physical up front, still very young across the board, and it might take a little while to grow into what we are capable of being.”
Some of the linemen they return are Tyler Lobb, Darius Hansel, and Dominic Moore. Running back Landon Buck will have a good senior season behind this line. Valent Cervenak will be the team’s tight end. Defensively, Troy Canner and Andy Honan will contribute on the line and Rocco Reifer and Gavin Lovell will be the linebackers.
This team could improve and reach their peak late in the season, but they will need to get wins early to help get them to the playoffs.
Mount Union Trojans
2023 Record: 9-3
Head Coach Jamie Brumbaugh
3rd Season: 11-11
Mount Union has a difficult task of replacing seniors at a lot of positions. They have a few returning starters on offense, but losing star quarterback Bryce Danish and all-purpose back Je’saun Robinson will take a hit to the offense.
One of their big time returners is linebacker/running back Josh Ryan. He ran for over 1,000 yards and led the team in tackles. Nasir Collins is a sophomore who could make a bigger impact in 2024 as he had a very good freshman season on defense.
Mount Union made it to the 2A District Semifinals a season ago, but with a newer looking team, it will be difficult to return. Nonetheless, the Trojans have some young weapons to rely on this season.
Southern Huntingdon Rockets
2023 Record: 0-10
Head Coach Aaron Batzel
5th Season: 18-20
The Rockets did not win a single game in 2023, but they were young and hated the feeling of losing. They worked hard this offseason and returned a lot of players, which could be a difference maker in winning a few games this season.
Coach Batzel said, “Last year early season injuries derailed our season, but that opened up opportunities for a lot of young players to earn valuable game day experience in the face of adversity. Hopefully we see it come together for some wins this upcoming season, however we will still may have growing pains with a strong freshman group pushing the upperclassmen for early playing time in key positions.”
Southern Huntingdon ran a freshman quarterback last year in Cohen Snyder and he struggled, but with main weapon Chase Gibbons returning from injury, he could develop into a better QB. Some other offensive weapons in Rowdy Grissinger, Kevin Detwiler, Eli Rice, and Drew Flood could also help him improve. He will also be behind returning linemen Garret Boden and Bronson Hoffman, which is another plus.
All of these returning players will help Southern Huntingdon get back to their winning ways. Let’s see what these players that are finally healthy can do.
West Branch Warriors
2023 Record: 5-6
Head Coach Travis McDowell
1st Season
West Branch looks to improve this season, losing their postseason berth from a season ago. Their young team could do damage this season, Coach McDowell says.
Coach McDowell said, “This year’s team is young but talented returning with a lot of experience from last year. West Branch will look to improve on last year’s District 6 Class 1A Playoff berth. This off-season has come with high expectations for the upcoming season and the players have answered the call, with a strong work ethic and relentless attitude.”
Craig Flunk, Easton Emigh, and Austin Silver are three returning receivers to this team, along with quarterback Conner Danko and running back Coby Kephart. Linemen Dakota Leinbach, Reed Yingling, and Carter Yingling all return, which is big.
The Warriors could be a sneaky good team this season, but we’ll see how Coach McDowell can do in his first season.
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