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In 2006 it was supposed to be Tussey's time to beat NB because they had just beaten them the year before in a playoff game at PCS in fall of 2005 on a great catch by one of the Wr's. So all the hype was that in 2006 this was Tussey's time to beat NB. NB 42 TM 7. In 07 this is Tussey's time as Jordan Donaldson and company have an explosive offense. NB 23 TM 13. Playoff game that same year semi's with a trip to Dist Championship game on the line. NB 32ish Tussey 7. Last season NB held them down near the goal line to win. I no I am rambling here but no way NO way does Tussey dominate this game. Tussey 40-6?? Tussey has in the last 5 games against NB scored a total of 40 points on them. I like this Tussey team this year. Gritty and tough. BUT, NB wins 20 12. NB has the mental edge here also.

Great points about the history of this rivalry. Certainly well noted, as I mentioned in my original post. Yet, this year is different, this is not the past, and you can really only consider the previous games played this season.

Tussey Mountain has a great group of very talented players: Foor, Diehl, Neuder, Sheeder, and a great core of role players, not to mention a defense that has, at times, been shakey against top regional talent (MU and MV) but not against teams that are seemingly at the same level as the Titans.

Most strikingly is the difference in performances against Everett. Tussey handled the Warriors very well, whereas NBC struggled mightely.

Of course this game will have the same intensity that comes with every "backyard brawl," but no one has ever argued in the past that even though NBC was much more talented, there was no way they could score a blowout because it is such an important rivalry to both teams. I think the same works here, in the opposite direction. Don't fool yourself in to believing that an important rivalry game negates the talent level and past performance of these teams.

I stand by my earlier prediction, Tussey Mountain is, as others have said earlier, a sleeper to win District 5. They're not receiving the respect they deserve because of their recent past, but Coach Steele will have the team ready for this one, as he will in upcoming seasons. Titans roll with a dominant run game.

I'll say that Northern Bedford lost 3 winnable games early in the year or they would have a better record than 2-3.

Mo Valley- They had the lead at the half. Mo Valley adjusted in the second half and NB couldn't move the ball any more. Mo is 5-0.

Glendale- NB was up going into the fourth quarter, but they lost. Glendale is 4-1

Everett- The Warriors had limited yards at the half of that game. I was at this one. Millin didn't get anything until the fourth quarter. NB had the ball in the fourth quarter, down by one, inside the Warrior 5 and a penalty hurt them. After they were stopped, Everett rammed it down their throats. Everett is 2-3.

Since then NB has beaten two teams that are not real good, so you are right when you say they haven't won a game that they've been tested in. That is the big question. Are the last two weeks just because of the opponent or are they turning the corner? They do have a lot of youth. A lot of the starters are sophomores and juniors. I think a lot of the early season troubles could have been because of all the young guys starting in varsity for the first time. As you know varsity football is much different than junior high.

Tussey is a team I have not seen in person. I know they have talented backs, but I heard their line is banged up right now. They have some really nice speed to the outside with Diehl and Wentz. Looking at stats Diehl is more explosive. Then they have the bruiser Neuder who runs hard up the middle. Their passing game looks like it is efficient. They have a lot of catches by the wing guys (Diehl and Wentz). Do they pass downfield or do they run swing routes or what?

Having not seen Tussey, I am not sure how good they are. I know NB has a team that is good enough that they could have been 5-0 but they are 2-3. If Northern wins this one, they'll finish 5-4 or 6-3 I think with Mount Union being the best team they have left. A loss puts them in a position where they might struggle to make the playoffs. The Panthers did start 1-2 last year before winning 6 straight. They have started slow for sure. 2 wins in a row has them back in the mix, but the Titans could start them on a losing streak again.

NB's offense has come alive the last two weeks as their passing game has improved. Again, is it because of the opponent or are they getting better?

I'm still up in the air on this one. Since I haven't seen TM, I can't really make much of a prediction. If NB slows down Diehl, they win. If Diehl goes off TM wins.

I repect your posts bedford athlete but for as long as I can remember Tussey has never dominated NB in a football game. I agree it will be a great game but no way will Tussey dominate them. NB will have a great defensive plan and the offense is coming together. In last 12 years 2 wins vs. NB. 1998 and 2005 playoff game. This year is no different in my opinion. A great game it will be but I see NB keeping it's composure and winning this one. Coach Steele does a great job there. I guess we will find out in about 28 hours.

After posting, I grabbed the Mirror and checked some things out. I see lots of talk about TM's run game, but I haven't seen anything about NB's Albright. The kid is third in the Mirror's coverage area with 105 carries for 604 yards.

Also of note:
NB offense- 23.2 PPG (I know 55 of their points on the year were vs Williamsburg)
NB defense- 14.8 PPG

TM offense- 23.4 PPG
TM defense- 23.6 PPG

Great post Rainmaker, the statistics are very important when talking about this matchup.

Albright is a very good runner, he has had success against EVERY team the Panthers have faced. The same will be true against the Titans, Albright is a great athlete.

On the other hand, Northern Bedford has played a weaker schedule than Tussey up to this week, so the other numbers are a little off. The Titans will not allow 23 points per game from here out, and the Panthers will not be able to score at that rate against Mount Union.

When factoring in strength of schedule, this matchup is not nearly as close as it may look on paper.

NB didn't play Mt Union but they played 4-1 Glendale.

When I see the schedules I see this-

They BOTH played Mo Valley, CK and Eve

NB played Glendale and Williamsburg
TM played Mount Union and Juniata Valley


Against Mo, NB put up the better game leading into the second half. Against CK, NB performed better than TM. Maxpreps has TM putting up a huge fourth to win. Against Everett, TM had the better game for sure since they won. In common opponents things are pretty much a wash. TM got the common win, but NB may have played better than TM versus Mo Valley and CK.

Looking at the non common teams- Mt. Union is the best of the bunch for sure. Glendale is second, JV third, and Wburg fourth. The noncommon's go to TM but just barely. It isn't like they are heads and shoulders better.

Glendale and MU are both 4-1
JV is 2-3 and Williamsburg is 1-4.

Its hard to argue that Mount Union isn't significantly better than Glendale.
Also, Juniata Valley is quite obviously a much stronger team than Williamsburg.

With both teams going 1-1 against teams the other hasn't faced, and the debate ongoing as to who will win in TM vs Glendale, whereas few will argue NB has much of a chance against Mount Union, the edge goes to the Titans.

In shared games, NB is 1-2, Tussey is 2-1. The edge here may rest on the Everett game, which was significantly different, but was the closeness of the NB game vs Moshannon Valley due to first week jitters and unpreparedness? All teams involved are obviously playing at a much higher level at this point in the season, so could NB have led Moshannon Valley at any point in week three or four? A later match vs Moshannon Valley certainly would have spelled a worse outcome for the Panthers.

It is that time of the year for the backyard rivalry - The stands will be full Friday night with NBC hosting the Tussey Mountain Titans. I do believe both teams will make it a game worth watching. I must say I would love to see Tussey prevail just becasue no one is giving them the credit they deserve. Yes, NBC has demolished the Titans in previous years but that was then this was now, if everyone based everything in their past we would all be living in a world of hate.

The kids are out there giving it all they got to try and prevail and have an amazing season. It sucks when certain coaches are to pigheaded and get in the way of that. Some just needed to be fired, there is a reason you are an assistant coach. Let the boys play to the best of their ability.

Tussey has some very strong key players, Diehl, Neuder, Wentz, Foor the NB defense might be able to stop one of them but all of them - I do not see that happening. Tussey has an excellent running game and their running game even score on Mount Unions amazing defense. NBC better have their defense ready to play and hope that their offense does not give up more points then the defense does. Does anyone know the statistics for Risbons pass/completion to his own team and not the pass/completion for the opposing team? Tussey has some good cornerbacks waiting to pick the ball.

Tussey does not pass to often but when the do it usually turns in to something good. However, I do think NBC's Albright will be reayd to give the Tussey defense a tough time. If the Titans defense doesn't come ready to block it will be a good ball game.

Really who knows though with High School football. You have your pros and cons to every team. I just think the Titans deserve this one, but they may come in with their heads to high and lose it for themselves.

I say TMT 35 NBC 18

Hopefully there is still a nice turnout tonight regardless of the weather. Hopefully, you also all enjoy yourselves, but the Panther fans enjoy themselves a little bit more

This should be a fun one tonight...