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COUDERSPORT TRAVELS SOUTH TO CURWENSVILLE IN GAME THAT COULD HAVE PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS |
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Coudersport (1-1 overall, 1-1 AML North) at Curwensville (2-0, 2-0 AML South) |
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Week Three - 7:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 13 - The game can be heard on 96.7 FM in Coudersport |
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CURWENSVILLE – It is not often a game in Week Three could have
significant playoff implications. But one does this week when defending
District 9 Class A champion Coudersport (1-1 overall, 1-1 AML North)
travels south to play Curwensville (2-0, 2- AML South) in a rematch of
last season’s District 9 title game won by Coudersport 18-13.
While many of the key players for Curwensville have since graduated, the Golden Tide would like nothing more than to beat the Falcons, who denied Curwensville of a second straight District 9 Class A title. What could prove to be even further motivation for Curwensville is the fact that a loss by Coudersport could end the Falcons hopes of making the District 9 Class A playoffs. A two-loss team in Class A is very much on the bubble with the four-team playoff format that includes two guaranteed spots. The two teams are coming off remarkably different outcomes a week ago. Coudersport was stunned in a 21-14 upset by Eisenhower at home last week, while Curwensville shutout a seemingly rejuvenated Elk County Catholic team 21-0 a week after ECC had upset Smethport. Quarterback Ben Cary leads Coudersport. Cary is 11-for-27 passing for 159 yards and one touchdown this season while also throwing four interceptions. Other key players for the Falcons include tailback Zach Hershey (3 touchdowns), fullback Ross Simcoe, wide receiver Jeremiah Frederick and wingbacks Zach Pucci and Zach Hetrick. A balanced attack leads Curwensville. The Golden Tide have rushed for 260 yards this season while throwing for 166. Brooks Collins (33 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD), Doug Swatsworth (16 carries, 73 yards) and Nate Sipes (15 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD) pace the ground game, while Collins (3 catches, 16 yards) and Greg Gilbert (5 catches, 129 yards, 2 TDs) are the top receivers. Quarterback Travis McDonald is 10-for-23 passing for 166 yards and one touchdown while throwing four interceptions. In last season’s District 9 title game, Coudersport raced out to a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Curwensville led 13-12 at halftime. Coudersport went back ahead for good early in the third quarter on a 53-yard pass from Cary to Steve Brink, and the Falcons defense came up with big plays the rest of the way. In the game, Cary was 11-for-18 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns to lead Coudersport. Collins is the top returning stat performer from the game back for Curwensville. He rushed eight times for 17 yards. |