KEYSTONE-REDBANK VALLEY CLINGING TO PLAYOFF HOPE

Keystone (5-2 overall, 4-2 KSAC) at Redbank Valley (5-2, 4-2)

Week Eight - 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 18

NEW BETHLEHEM – After this game, either Redbank Valley or Keystone knows they won’t be playing in the postseason. But a win in this game doesn’t guarantee anything either.

Not only does the winner need to win this game, it also needs to win next week and get some help as well.

For Redbank Valley to make the playoffs, it needs to win out and hope Ridgway loses to Cameron County.

For Keystone to make the playoffs, it also needs to win out. After that things get a little more complicated. If the Panthers win out and Ridgway loses to Cameron, Keystone is in. If the Panthers win out and win both games by 10 or more points AND Ridgway beats Cameron County by one point AND Otto-Eldred loses to Eisenhower AND Youngsville loses to Port Allegany, Keystone is in.

If Ridgway beats Cameron County by three points or more, or if either Otto-Eldred or Youngsville wins, then the Panthers are out.

As for the game itself, injuries could play a big part in the outcome.

Redbank Valley could very well be without starting running back/linebacker Ron Geist, who injured his shoulder early in last week’s 45-7 loss to Clarion-Limestone. Geist status is uncertain, but chances are even if he plays he won’t be 100 percent.

On the other side of the field, the Panthers will most likely be without starting lineman Evan Peters and starting wide receiver Bobby Telesz. Both players suffered knee injuries in the 31-7 win over A-C Valley last week and are doubtful if not out for this week.

If Geist can’t play, Redbank Valley will look to junior quarterback Shane Reed and wide receiver Tyson Truitt to lead the way.

Reed is completing 50 percent of his passes (44-88) for 877 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions.

Truitt is Reed’s favorite target and the leading receiver yards wise in District 9. He has 26 catches for 515 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The loss of Geist would be a big blow to Redbank. Geist has rushed for 763 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The second leading Bulldog rusher is Brandon Johnston with just 22 carries for 151 yards.

With Telesz out of the lineup, the Panthers could move one of their two quarterbacks Buck Neely or Billy Colwell to a receiver position to go along with Ben Cobler and Jared Griebal. The likely bet would be Colwell, who is 11-for-31 passing this season for 164 yards and four touchdowns. Neely is 40-for-87 for 687 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with four interceptions.

While both quarterbacks have played wide receiver both this season and in the past, neither is as good as Telesz, who is one of the best in Keystone history. This season Telesz has 20 catches for 453 yards and six touchdowns.

Griebal is the second-leading receiver on the team with 10 catches for 114 yards and four touchdowns.

The Panther running game is predicated around the two quarterbacks Colwell and Neely. Neely has rushed 54 times for 345 yards and one touchdown, while Colwell has toted the ball 50 times for 286 yards and five touchdowns. Sam Swartzfager is added 49 carries for 201 yards and two scores.

Next week Keystone travels to Clarion Friday, while Redbank Valley is at Union.