Windber upsets Northern Bedford County to capture 1st District 5 title since 2008

BEDFORD -- Matt Grohal has been a life-long Windber Rambler. He was a student-athlete, assistant coach and now a 12-year veteran head coach. Grohal has led Windber to a great deal of success during his tenure. Missing from his resume was a District 5 championship.

Not anymore.

Berlin blasted in title gameBerlin Brothersvalley no match for Westinghouse in District 5-8 2A title game

Senior running back John Shuster carried 33 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns while the defense strung together maybe its best performance of the season as Windber upset top seed Northern Bedford County 14-0 to capture a previously elusive District 5 Class 1A title on Thursday at Bedford High School.

"It's special," said Grohal of his first District 5 title and the program's first since 2008. "We've been really close before. You need a little bit of luck on your side.

"I talk about (legendary Windber coach) Phil Demarco all the time. "I didn't have a father. He was my father-figure growing up. I wish he was here with me tonight. I love the guy. I am going to share this one with him. He means a lot to me."

Being preparedWindber ready for sloppy conditions in District 5 1A title game against Northern Bedford

Coach Grohal was quick to pass all of the success off on his team and coaching staff.

"I was getting text messages (Thursday), even from some of my current players saying, 'You're due, coach.' I'm not due," Grohal said. "I told these guys, 'I didn't do any power cleans. I didn't do any squats.' It's about these guys. What a work ethic. What a group of kids that just battled.

"We were beat up physically (Thursday). We had guys in and out of the game. They just found a way. Johnny (Shuster) did what Johnny does. I'm just so proud of my defense. We did enough offensively to get the win, but man, our defense has just been lights out."

HeartbreakerWindber stunned by Greensburg Central Catholic in PIAA Class 1A opener

Windber (11-1) has only allowed seven points since its 14-0 loss to Berlin Brothersvalley in Week 5. The Ramblers have given up just 49 points all season, recording seven shutouts along the way.

Windber stymied Northern Bedford all night long, especially junior quarterback Eion Snider and running back Adam Johnson. The Panthers had nothing going on the ground and struggled moving the ball through the air against a vaunted Ramblers defense.

"Coach (Frank) Tallyen is amazing," Grohal said of his defensive coordinator. "He's been with me since Day 1, and Coach (Mike) Phillips, I just love those guys. I want to share this with all those guys and this community. What a great win."

Northern Bedford (11-1) appeared as if it was going to take an early lead on the first drive of the game. The Panthers ran nearly seven minutes off the clock, marching 62 yards on 15 plays down to the Ramblers 6-yard line. A 2-yard tackle for loss and back-to-back incompletions led to a 25-yard field goal attempt by Collin Yeatts that sailed wide right.

One player later, Shuster found a crease and raced 80 yards for a touchdown, stunning the Panthers in the process. Bryson Costa tacked on the PAT and the Ramblers led 7-0 with 4:48 to go in the first quarter.

"That was a big change for us," Shuster said of the missed field goal and then his touchdown run a play later. "It was a big play for sure."

Windber gave Northern Bedford a short field to work with when it turned the ball over on downs with 10:31 left in the second quarter.

Again, the Windber defense bent but did not break. Senior Jake Hostetler, who was tied for the team lead in tackles entering the title game, picked off Snider at the Ramblers 4-yard line to halt another Panthers drive.

"It's just an unreal feeling," Hostetler said of the victory. "We worked so hard for this, and we deserve this."

Shuster scored what appeared to be his second touchdown of the game late in the second quarter, but a holding call negated the 59-yard scamper.

The Ramblers took a 7-0 lead into the locker room.

After Windber went three-and-out to open the third quarter, the defense made another tremendous play when Evan Brady picked off Snider and returned it 29 yards to the Northern Bedford 17.

The Ramblers cashed in on the turnover when Shuster scored a play later on a 17-yard TD burst. Costa added the extra point and Windber led 14-0 with 9:38 left in the third quarter.

That was more than enough points for the Windber defense.

Windber came away with its third takeaway of the game after Northern Bedford mounted another promising drive. Senior Ethan Brady picked off a laser from Snider across the middle of the field at the Windber 18-yard line with 5:22 left in the game.

It is the second straight week that the Brady brothers each had an interception.

Shuster picked up two more first downs to seal the deal and clinch the championship.

Windber will take on either Steelton-Highspire or Belmont Charter in the first round of the PIAA playoffs next week. It will likely be Steelton-Highspire, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 1A.

"We're happy, but we're not satisfied," Grohal said. "We're going to go on the road next week, get healthy this week and see if we can give whoever we got a good game."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Windber shuts out Northern Bedford to capture District 5 1A title