By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
Bedford took its lumps during the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference season, going 3-6, but with a three-game winning streak, the Bisons have found their stride at the right time.
“The kids are showing a quiet confidence,” Bedford coach Dan Smith said. “No one’s running around screaming their head off. As a team, they’re a little bit loose. They’re relaxed. We’re playing it one game at a time and taking on what may come.”
Bedford (6-6) posted back-to-back wins over rival Chestnut Ridge – the second in the District 5 Class AA championship game – and then went to Pittsburgh for a 29-6 victory over Westinghouse. The Bisons will be closer to home tonight when they take on District 9 champion Karns City (10-2) in a PIAA first-round playoff game at 7 p.m. at Northern Bedford’s Panther Community Stadium in Loysburg.
Smith said that having the game in the Bisons’ back yard is a benefit, but that his team is road-tested.
“It’s always nice to be closer to home, but after 12 games, you’re used to doing the traveling bit,” he said. “It will be nice not to have to travel two or three hours like we did with Pittsburgh.”
Bedford will face a balanced Karns City offense that features a number of dangerous players.
Quarterback Dylan Hipple has completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,011 yards. He has 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions on the season.
The Gremlins do most of their damage on the ground. Aaron Markle leads the rushing attack with 1,214 yards and 17 touchdowns, but Karns City has four other players with at least 300 rushing yards. Jake Wagner (478, seven TDs), Craig Slomers (357, four TDs) Hipple (352, four TDs) and J.R. Yough (325, four TDs) have all been productive for Karns City.
Depending on what the Gremlins want to do, they can give a defense different looks, running from multiple formations, including the option out of the I or a double-wing set that allows them to run the jet series, with a back coming in motion having the ability to run an end around.
“They like to mix it up a little bit with three or four different other kids,” Smith said.
But Markle, a senior who is listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds, is the biggest component of the offense.
“He doesn’t have 4.2 speed, but he’s a good, hard runner,” Smith said. “He runs hard. They have a balanced offense between the quarterback, fullback and tailback.”
Brandon Collier is the top receiving threat with 381 yards and six touchdowns, but Joe Fallecker also has 284 yards and four touchdown catches.
“The big play seems to be a big part of their offense,” Smith said.
Markle and Wagner each have 76 tackles while Carrick Harp has 74 on the season.
“They run a 5-2 defense with roll-up monster, almost like a 5-3,” Smith said. “They play their positions well and fly to the ball.’
Paul Detwiler carries the load for the Bedford offense, averaging 99.8 rushing yards per game. He has 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
Marcus Shippey has 596 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He has also thrown for 791 yards, but has seven interceptions and just three touchdown passes.
Kyle Deneen is the top receiving threat with 509 yards and three touchdowns.
Shippey threw for 127 yards against Westinghouse and Detwiler ran for 105, marking the third consecutive game the Bisons have had a runner gain at least 100 yards.
“We were 3-6, but we put the last three or four games together and are playing nice team ball. We rely on Paul Detwiler, but everyone’s focused on the team concept,” Smith said. “Hopefully, we’ll represent District 5 and the people in the Laurel Highlands well. Hopefully, we’ll come out of it with a win.
