The ICC South title is on the line this Friday, folks, and you won’t find a tighter matchup than Berlin Brothersvalley and North Star. These two Somerset County rivals are throwing down, both sitting at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the division, ranked first and second in District 5 Class 2A. This isn’t just a game, it’s a battle for bragging rights, and everything points to an absolute barn burner.
The Streak. The Stakes. The coaches are READY.
Let’s talk about the history here, because it’s massive. Berlin Brothersvalley comes into this game riding a two-game winning streak this season, but get this: they’ve won 15 straight against North Star! Yes, you read that right, 15 years. North Star, however, is on a hot streak of their own, winning five games in a row heading into Friday. Both teams have a common foe this year, having dropped a game to Meyersdale, but this rivalry game is where the rubber meets the road.
Berlin Brothersvalley coach Dante Paul isn’t taking North Star lightly, saying they have a “very good football team” with “great defense all year long, and a very explosive offense.” He sees Friday as “a good test to see where each team is at heading into the playoffs.” North Star’s first-year coach Shane Smith is just as fired up, acknowledging it’s “definitely going to be a tough challenge.” He’s got “utmost respect for their program and their rich history,” and knows what they’re walking into: “a hard-nosed, well-coached football team.” Smith is looking forward to an “electric environment,” especially with that 15-year drought looming. It’s been 15 years since North Star beat them, so there’s an “extra excitement in the air this week that we would love to change that.” You can feel the tension, can’t you?
Home Field, Key Players, and the Mental Game
Berlin Brothersvalley boasts a perfect 5-0 record at their home turf, the Center Rock Inc. Sports Complex, this year. North Star isn’t scared of the road, though, coming in with a 4-0 away record. Last year, Berlin Brothersvalley edged out North Star 14-9 on Oct. 17, 2025, in Boswell, jumping out to a 14-0 lead. History definitely favors Berlin Brothersvalley, who have beaten North Star every regular season since 2012, and even took them out in the 2024 District 5 Class 2A semifinal. North Star’s last win in Berlin was way back in 2008, a 33-13 decision. They had a four-year winning streak against Berlin Brothersvalley from 2005-08, but since then, Berlin Brothersvalley has owned this series, winning 17 of the last 18 meetings.
Berlin Brothersvalley started this season 5-0 before their 21-0 loss to Meyersdale, then bounced back with wins against Tussey Mountain and Windber. Coach Paul knows what it takes to win this one: “If we want to be in a football game, we’re going to have to be able to match their physicality up front.” He stresses the fundamentals: “Football comes down to blocking, tackling and protecting the football.” Their senior quarterback Brady Janidlo has been sharp, completing 56 of 101 passes (55.4%) for 807 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior running back Carter Durst is a beast with 724 yards and 11 touchdowns on 135 carries (5.4 per tote), including three 100-yard games. And their receiving corps is solid: junior Dawson Shaffer has 17 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns, while seniors Carson Janidlo (14 receptions for 203 yards, two scores) and Ryan Janidlo (11 catches for 199 yards, three scores) are big play threats.
So, when the whistle blows Friday at 7 p.m. in Berlin at the Center Rock Inc. Sports Complex, get ready. This is more than just a Week 9 game. This is for the ICC South crown, it’s for breaking a 15-year curse, and it’s going to be absolutely electric. Can North Star finally break through, or will Berlin Brothersvalley extend their dominance? You absolutely don’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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