Inter County Conference: Playoff Preview

Tagged under: District 6, News, pfn, Playoffs

Baron Dionis | November 1, 2024

Another year of playoffs and the ICC had another unique season. There were a few teams that stood out as top teams, but there were a lot of upsets this year. A few teams that missed the playoffs last year returned in 2024, which makes this a very fun season for the conference. Let’s preview Friday nights playoff matchups for the Inter-County Conference.

1A District 5

#1 Windber vs #4 Conemaugh Township

The Windber Ramblers (8-2) open up the playoffs against a Heritage Conference opponent in Conemaugh Township (5-5). Windber has had a great season, led by running back RJ Tallion. Conemaugh Township is very young and have contended in tough games, but they have had a tough season. If Windber can run the ball like they have all year, they should have no problem. 

Players to Watch:

Windber:

• RJ Tallion: 1,087 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns
• Lucas Oleksa: 686 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, 521 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns

Conemaugh Township:

• Brennan Lohr: 726 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns
• Cam Dunn: 317 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns

#2 Northern Bedford vs #3 Meyersdale

Northern Bedford (8-2) opens up with a contest against Meyersdale (6-4). These two faced off a few weeks ago and Northern Bedford won 35-14. The Panthers pass game this season has been very difficult to defend. Meyersdale should be trying to stop Aaron Bowers on offense. If they can force Northern Bedford to run, this game could be closer than the Week 7 matchup between the teams. Meyersdale is the underdog, but they definitely have a chance in this rematch.

Players to Watch:

Northern Bedford:

• Ben Clark: 864 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 219 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
• Aaron Bowers: 681 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns

Meyersdale:

•  Spencer Whitfield: 654 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 298 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns
• Karter Schurg: 597 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown

1A District 6

#3 Moshannon Valley vs #6 Penns Manor

Moshannon Valley (6-4) has had a solid season and opens up with a solid matchup in Penns Manor (5-5). Moshannon Valley has won some big games, but has also lost some important ones too. Their season has been surprising in losing unexpected games like Everett and then beating the top team of Mount Union. They are difficult in the big games, which will make things tough for Penns Manor, who has struggled against the tough teams of the Heritage Conference. They have scored just six points in the last four weeks. This should be an interesting game between two even teams, but Moshannon Valley appears to have the upper hand.

Players to Watch:

Moshannon Valley:

• Rocoo Reifer: 1,458 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
• Landon Buck: 748 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns

Penns Manor:

• Amin Lieb: 1,032 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 462 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns 
• Dylan Kuzemchak: 548 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns

#4 Glendale vs #5 Claysburg-Kimmel

The Glendale Vikings (6-4) and Claysburg-Kimmel Bulldogs (6-4) have both made the playoffs after finishing with just three wins a year ago. These two teams met a few weeks ago and it was not close. Claysburg won that matchup 47-0. A very surprising outcome, but Claysburg appears to have Glendales’ number. Glendale has upset Windber this year, which is a big positive for their season. If their defense can come out like they did against Windber, then the 47-0 game will not repeat itself. It is unlikely that this game will be another blowout, but if Claysburg plays like they did, it could lead to a playoff win for the Bulldogs.

Players to Watch:

Glendale: 

• Jimmy Sutton: 754 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 224 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdowns
• Cameron Dreibelbis: 521 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 304 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns

Claysburg-Kimmel:

• Mason Campagna: 1,341 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, 1,054 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns
• Mark Lattieri: 1,183 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 166 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

#1 Bishop Guilfoyle vs #8 Juniata Valley

The Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders (9-1) enter the playoffs coming off their first loss of the season to Penn Cambria in the LHAC Championship. They have been one of the best teams in the Laurel Highlands all season and they open up the playoffs, hosting the Juniata Valley Hornets (4-6). The Marauders are the favorite as they have dominated nearly their entire schedule through their strong offense. Getting the Chase Kissell and Hamilton Gates duo going will be the difference maker in this game. If the Hornets can figure out how to stop these two, it may be a close battle, but the Hornets have struggled in their ICC competition. Juniata Valley’s defense has been weak this season and Bishop Guilfoyle should be able to capitalize on it. 

Players to Watch:

Bishop Guilfoyle:

• Hamilton Gates: 1,070 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, 458 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
• Chase Kissell: 2,212 passing yards, 70.3% completion rate, 26 passing touchdowns, 357 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns

Juniata Valley:

• Vincent Hoover: 629 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 131 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
• Andrew Clark: 476 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns 

2A District 5

#2 Berlin Brothersvalley vs #3 North Star

Berlin Brothersvalley (6-4) opens up the playoffs with a tough opponent in North Star (6-4). These teams met two weeks ago and Berlin won 35-7. This outcome came from Berlin shutting down North Star’s Ethan Smith. If they can do that again, they should get by this game no problem as he has been the leader of this team. On the other hand, if North Star can slow down their run game, that could stunt Berlin’s scoring. Overall, this should be a closer game than the first time they met and will be an exciting opening contest.

Players to Watch:

Berlin Brothersvalley:

• Cooper Huston: 1,017 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns
• Hayden Hutzell: 577 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 290 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns

North Star:

• Ethan Smith: 611 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 447 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns
• Jesse Samler: 402 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 117 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns

2A District 6

#3 Mount Union vs #6 Marion Center

Arguably one of the best games in District 6 this week is between Mount Union (8-2) and Marion Center (7-3). Mount Union has displayed a very strong offense all season, but Marion Center has shown a strong defense all year, including five shutouts. They have lost close games to the top teams in the Heritage Conference, but overall they appear to have a solid team this year. As does Mount Union who has lost two very close games to decent ICC teams. This game should come down to the wire and will make a huge impact on the 2A playoffs.

Players to Watch:

Mount Union:

• Nasir Collins: 1,720 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 178 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
• Josh Ryan: 736 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns

Marion Center: *Only Stats in 6 Games*

• Camden Rising: 710 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, 140 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
• Noah McCoy: 356 rushing yards