To say Nanty Glo has been waiting a long time for today’s game would be an understatement.

When Glendale visits for a District 6 Class A playoff game today, it will mark the first time in Blacklick Valley’s school history that the Vikings have been able to hold a playoff game at home.

And the people of Nanty Glo are ready.

“They’re absolutely … I can’t even describe how excited they are,” Blacklick Valley coach Bill Zamboni said. “You stop in the local Foodland, wherever you go, everybody wants to talk football.”

That’s a nice change for a community that had a long-suffering football fan base.

“We went through a nine-year cycle only winning three games,” Zamboni said. “Each year we’ve seemed to get progressively better.”

After going 6-4 last year, including a playoff loss at Homer-Center, there were high hopes for Blacklick Valley this season.

The enthusiasm might have waned after a 35-6 setback at Conemaugh Township in the opener and a 48-0 home loss to Portage.

But a 53-23 victory at Ferndale got the Vikings on a roll. They enter the playoffs having won seven in a row, and Zamboni credits his defense for turning things around.

“At first we were very suspect defensively,” he said. “In the seven-game winning streak, we’ve put it together. (Defensive coordinator) Ron Rhoades has done an excellent job.”

Blacklick Valley shut out Conemaugh Valley in Week 4, but it was a 21-14 victory over Berlin and a 33-0 drubbing of Meyersdale that really impressed Zamboni.

“Probably our breakout game was Meyersdale, which I think is an extremely good team,” Zamboni said. “Our defense is really coming on. When you move to the next level, you win with defense.”

Michael Stefanick has been the anchor of that defense, averaging 10.8 tackles per game while Matt Bracken has 9.9.

They’ll have their hands full with a Glendale offense that scored 47 points last week in a victory over Tussey Mountain, which made the District 5 playoffs.

Quarterback Tyler Jenny presents the biggest threat. He can hurt teams with his arm or legs from Glendale’s shotgun-based offense. Jenny has thrown for 888 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and has 426 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

“Their quarterback is really good,” Zamboni said. “He’s a passer and a runner.”

Codi McClellan leads Glendale with

550 rushing yards while Josh Yaworski has 235.

Blacklick got an early look at Glendale, as the teams scrimmaged in August.

“You don’t get a whole lot from it,” Zamboni said of the film from that scoreless tie. “I think both teams have gotten so much better. I thought both teams were impressive at that time. We didn’t move the ball well because of their defense. Everybody is talking about their offense, but I think their defense is extremely good.”

Blacklick’s offense has certainly gotten better since then. Zamboni’s squad was without three starters in that scrimmage, including running back Brenden Julock.

The senior also missed last week’s 16-13 victory over Rockwood, but Zamboni said Julock is healthy and ready to play against Glendale.

Ted Worthington leads the team with 1,109 yards and 18 touchdowns while Julock has 559 yards – and a team-best 7.55 yards per carry – as well as six touchdowns.

Quarterback Victor Manda has thrown for 467 yards and four touchdowns this season with Jonathan Divido his top target with 179 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Zamboni said that his coaching staff of Rhoades, Jim Kotelnicki, Greg O’Farrell, Jerry Dolges, Roland Anodide, Chris Zamboni, Mike McDermott, Garry Wurm and Dave Thomas has played a huge role in Blacklick Valley’s turnaround.

“Kids start to believe in your system and good things can happen,” he said. “We went through a cycle where the coach changed every year. The schools that are successful have stability.”