On a crisp night in Somerset, the Windber Ramblers captured the District 5 Championship title with a thrilling 14-7 victory over the Northern Bedford Panthers. In a game defined by hard-hitting defense and clutch plays, the Ramblers dug deep to secure their first title in several years, igniting celebrations among the Windber faithful who packed the stands.

-Adam Ripple Daily American
This is the second win for the Ramblers over the Black Panthers this season.

Windber (10-2) marched 63 yards on 11 plays and took nearly 6 minutes off the game clock to open the scoring. Tallion capped the opening drive of the game with a 1-yard touchdown run. Jonas Krause added the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 6:06 to go.

Northern Bedford (9-3) answered. Vaugh Schleinkofer found Connor Donaldson on an inside slant for a 18-yard touchdown. Alex Kochara added the extra point to even the score. Running back Ben Clark had the big play on the drive with a 50-yard run.

The Ramblers regained the lead with 3:15 remaining in the second quarter. Following a Black Panther three-and-out, Windber went 82 yards on 12 plays. Tallion powered through from a yard out to give Windber a 14-7 lead following Krause's PAT. Tallion finished with 60 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Lucas Oleksa found Evan Brady for 30 yards, and Luke Hostetler, who was competing in his first game since Week 4, connected with Oleksa on a trick play that went for 26 yards to the 1-yard line on the drive.

Windber racked up 278 yards of total offense in the game.

Windber sophomore Dylan Woodruff picked off Schleinkofer twice in the fourth to seal the program's 17th District 5 title and Coach Grohal's second crown.

The Rambler defense has not allowed more than seven points in a game since its Week 5 loss at North Star.

"Defensively, coach Frank Tallyen pitched a great game," Grohal said. "One busted play that our linebacker went the wrong way, but other than that, I thought we did a great job, defensively, again. To hold those guys to seven points in two games is just a testament to our defensive coaches and how hard they work to prepare.

"When you're playing good defense this time of year, it really bodes well for you. I think that was the difference in the game was our defense for sure, tonight."

Windber visits back-to-back Class 2A PIAA runner-up Westinghouse to open the state playoffs. The Bulldogs dropped down to 1A this year.