COUDERSPORT 33, OTTO-ELDRED 0

Oct. 10, 2008

Coudersport dedicates field to long-time mentor Paul Simcoe

Former Coudersport head coach Paul Simcoe, the all-time winningest coach in District 9 history, receives the plaque that will recognize the football field after him from Coudersport principal Alana Hauk. Photo by Paul Burdick

Former Simcoe pupil Tim Thomas made sure it was a joyous occasion rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns while also picking off a pass. Photo by Paul Burdick

COUDERSPORT – On the night Coudersport dedicated its football field to long-time mentor Paul Simcoe, District 9’s all-time winningest coach, who retired after last season, had to have been proud of the Falcons balanced offense and solid defense in a 33-0 win over visiting Otto-Eldred.

The Falcons (5-2 overall, 5-2 AML-North) ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, passed for 121 yards and two scores and recorded their second consecutive shutout while scoring a defensive touchdown to boot. The defense forced eight Otto-Eldred turnovers including six interceptions.

Tim Thomas led the ground attack with 10 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter and on a 40-yard scamper in the third quarter. Thomas also added an interception on defense.

Eric Babcock, who was 4-for-6 passing for 88 yards, threw both scores connecting on a 31-yard pass to fellow part-time quarterback Brett Whitman and on a 40-yard strike to Ty Carts. Both scoring passes came in a 27-point first half for Coudersport.

Zac Buckler actually got the scoring started for Coudy with a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown. Buckler had two picks and a team-high 11 tackles. Ben Capatch added a pair of sacks and an interception for Coudersport, while Wes Bernard had eight tackles and an interception.

NOTES – Simcoe coached Coudersport for 27 seasons from 1979 to 2007 and compiled a career record of 204-78-8 including four District 9 Class A titles and two District 9 Class AA runner-up finishes. He is the only coach in District 9 history with 200 career wins. Fittingly enough, Simcoe was 26-2-1 in his career vs. Otto-Eldred, a team that hasn’t beaten Coudersport since 1993 … The win official secures a District 9 Class A playoff berth for Coudersport, the Falcons eighth straight D9 Class A playoff appearance and the first under first-year head coach Brandon Hathaway.