WEEK FIVE PREVIEW STORIES

Sept. 27-28

By Chris Rossetti

EMPORIUM – With the 2002 football season entering its fifth week, the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders.. But this year, especially in the AML, that line has been blurred a little bit.

Entering Week Five, five teams are within a game of each other in the AML North with Coudersport and Eisenhower on top with 3-1 record and Smethport, Youngsville and Sheffield just a game back at 2-2. Things are just as tight in the AML South where Kane leads the division with a 4-0 record with Brockway and Cameron County a game back at 3-1 and Curwensville and Ridgway two games back at 2-2.

In the KSAC, Clarion-Limestone sits atop the standings at 3-0 with Karns City (3-1), Moniteau (3-1) and Redbank Valley (2-1) still very much in the championship hunt.

The D9 League is no better. Brookville leads the league with a 3-0 mark but Clearfield and Punxsutawney are just a game back at 2-1.

All of the parity means that it is way to early to determine who has the best shots at making the playoffs, especially in the highly competitive Class A division.

But some of the question marks should start to whittle themselves away this week with some big games as well as some rivalries on the schedule including Kane at Cameron County, Clarion at Clarion-Limestone, Coudersport at Smethport, Brockway at Curwensville, Eisenhower at Youngsville, Moniteau at Karns City and Ridgway at Elk County Catholic.

With so many top games, it was tough coming up with the two games of the week. But the two that have been chosen are Kane at Cameron County in the AML South and Coudersport at Smethport in the AML North. To see full previews on those games, please click on the game below.

There are 14 additional games also on tap this week, for information on those games, please view the capsule previews located beneath the two game-of-the-week links.

A total of 16 games are on this week’s schedule, so for information on the re

This week's two featured games both could have conference title implications with Clarion-Limestone traveling to Keystone for a key KSAC match-up and Punxsutawney visiting Clearfield in an important D9 League game. To see full game previews on those games, please click on the game below.

For information on the remaining 14 games involving district teams this week, please look at the capsule previews located beneath the two game-of-the-week links.

Thanks to an early season win over Coudersport, Eisenhower finds it self in a position of controlling its own destiny. If the Knights win out they are the AML North champions for 2002.

Warren County rival Youngsville would love nothing more than to ruin the Knights plans. The Eagles would love to send Eisenhower packing while getting themselves right back into the thick of the AML North race.

Eisenhower loves to pass the ball, and quarterback Jacoby Curtis and wide receiver Ryan Irwin are a big reason for that. Curtis has completed 52.6 percent of his passes this season (30-for-57) and has thrown for 459 yards and fourth touchdowns. He has also thrown four interceptions, including three in last week’s 20-19 win at Brockway. Irwin has been Curtis’ favorite target with 11 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s not like the Knights never run the ball, as they are averaging 94.5 yards per game through four weeks. Mark Collins (31 carries, 170 yards, 1 touchdown) and Eric Sirianni (29 carries, 110 yards, 1 touchdown) are the top ball carriers for Eisenhower.

Youngsville runs a more balanced attack. The Eagles have run for 506 yards while passing for 425.

Quarterback Andy Chase was 16-for-53 passing for 314 yards and five touchdowns, while Jamie Blum has 10 catches for 242 yards and four scores. Last week the two hooked up for a 68-yard scoring pass in a 21-7 loss to Sheffield.

On the ground, Blum was the leading rusher through three weeks with 32 carries for 202 yards and a score.

The two teams not currently in the AML North race match-up in Port Allegany on Saturday, but a win by the homestanding Gators coupled with an upset here or there could put Port Allegany right back in the hunt.

Otto-Eldred started the season what look like an improved offense scoring 32 points in its first two games. But an injury to starting quarterback Joey Drake has set the Terrors back, and they have managed to score just six points in the last two weeks and were beaten 52-6 by Smethport last week.

Port Allegany, meanwhile, is coming off a 39-0 loss at the hands of Coudersport Friday night. The Gators lone win was a Week Three victory over Smethport.

Quarterback Craig Flint is 27-for-60 passing for 363 yards and three touchdowns for the Gators, and his favorite target is Claude Haskins (13 catches, 120 yards).

Adam Rohrer leads the ground game for Port Allegany with 66 carries for 305 yards and two touchdowns, while Haskins has rushed 44 times for 174 yards and a score.

Otto-Eldred stats have not been sent to d9sports.com since Week Two. At that point, back-up quarterback Brian Freer was 6-for-15 passing for 107 yards and three interceptions. Josh Barnish had caught 11 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

The last two years this game has decided the AML South champion with Curwensville coming out on top both times. This year both teams are fighting for their lives in the AML South title chase, and Curwensville, losers of two straight, is in a must win position as far as the District 9 Class A playoffs go. The Golden Tide cannot afford another loss if they want a shot at making it to three straight District 9 Class A title games.

Both teams are coming off loses last week. Brockway fell for the first time in 2002 20-19 at home against Eisenhower, while Curwensville dropped its second straight game in a 15-6 loss at Cameron County.

Brockway’s offense has been solid this season scoring 32.5 points per game, the third highest total in District 9. But the Rovers defense has been suspect allowing 21. 8 points per game, the fourth worst total in the AML.

Curwensville, meanwhile, has had little trouble stopping people this season allowing only 14.3 points per game, and if the 33 points Coudersport scored on the Golden Tide are taken out, they are allowing just eight points per game. But Curwensville’s problem has been on offense where the Tide have scored just 49 points in the first four week an average of 12.3 points per game. The Tide also could very well be 1-3 if it wasn’t for a last second field goal to beat Eisenhower in Week One.

As always, Brockway has a strong running game in 2002 averaging 191.5 yards per game this season. Jeremy Sicekri is the top rusher with 71 carries for 292 yards and two touchdowns, while Jon Cantafio has rushed 52 times for 235 yards and three scores.

The surprising thing for the Rovers in 2002 is how well the passing game has worked. Brockway is averaging 97 yards passing this season, an astonishing number for it. Quarterback John Himes is 25-for-46 passing for 377 yards and two touchdowns, while Tom Bussard has 10 catches for 184 yards and a score.

Curwensville has used a balanced attack this season rushing for 119.8 yards per game while passing for 78.3.

Brooks Collins heads the ground game with 55 carries for 200 yards and one touchdown, while quarterback Travis McDonald is 22-for-47 passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns. McDonald’s big problem this season has been interceptions. He has thrown nine of them in four weeks. Greg Gilbert has been the Tide’s main receiver with nine catches for 228 yards and three scores.

Coming into the season expectations were high for Ridgway, and many were picking the Elkers to win the AML South. But following back-to-back losses in weeks two and three, Ridgway found itself at 1-2. The Elkers got back on track last week with a 21-0 win over arch-rival Johnsonburg, and they look to continue their winning ways and ruin Elk County Catholic’s homecoming Saturday night.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, didn’t have many high expectations entering the season, but some thought ECC might make some noise after an opening game win over Smethport.

But since the Smethport game, ECC has struggled on offense being shutout in weeks two and three and losing 28-7 to Kane last week.

Running backs Ryan Mitchell (59 carries, 317 yards, 3 touchdowns), Dave Bundy (37 carries, 252 yards, 1 touchdown) and Josh Mercer (43 carries, 199 yards, 3 touchdowns) pace the Elkers ground game, while quarterback Andy Kelly has rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns while going 33-for-53 passing for 319 yards and two more scores. Justin Buchler has been Kelly’s favorite target with 12 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Sheffield has had an up-and-down season through the first four weeks. The Wolverines have beat the teams (Otto-Eldred & Youngsville) they were picked to beat and have lost to the teams (Brockway & Eisenhower) they were picked to lose to. That should mean a win for Sheffield in Week Five, as they make the trip east to play Johnsonburg, which looks to be in a full rebuilding job under first-year head coach Kevin Carter.

Offense wasn’t the problem in the first two weeks for Sheffield, as it scored 60 points in splitting games with Brockway and Otto-Eldred. But in the last two weeks, the offense has left the Wolverines. They have scored just 27 points while splitting with Eisenhower and Youngsville.

On the other hand, the Sheffield defense was almost non-existent in weeks one and two allowing 64 points including 50 to Brockway. But in the last two weeks, Sheffield has allowed just 26 points including only seven in a 21-7 win over Youngsville Saturday.

Johnsonburg has had trouble on both sides of the ball allowing a district-worst 37 points per game while scoring just 12.5 points per game. Since putting up 28 points in an overtime loss to Youngsville in Week One, the Rams have scored on 22 points. Last week they were shutout 21-0 by Ridgway.

Quarterback Nik Obenrader leads the high-flying Wolverine air attack. Obenrader is the leading passer in District 9 having gone 33-for-79 passing for 637 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions. Top receivers include Robin Copley and Percy Travillion.

Quarterback Greg Wonderly is 34-for-90 passing for 517 yards and three touchdowns for Johnsonburg, but he has also thrown nine interceptions. Eric Iorfido has caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a score, while Jeremy Polaski has caught 11 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Dan Zeigler has seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

The lone D9 League game of the week is sure to produce the conference’s fourth team with a win.

Bradford’s long road journey to start the season finally comes to an end when the Owls make it 5-for-5 in road games with a trip to St. Marys Friday night. Bradford hopes this one has a better ending than the first four, all loses. Bradford is coming off a 42-25 loss at Warren Friday night.

St. Marys, meanwhile, is in search of its first touchdown since Week Two. The only scoring for the Flying Dutchmen the past two weeks has come off the leg of kicker Tristan Mulcahy, who has made five field goals in the past two weeks including four in a 12-0 Week Three win at A-C Valley. Last week St. Marys fell 20-3 to Brookville.

Running backs Sean Hvizdzak (21 rushes, 226 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Brandon LaBrozzi (30 rushes, 145 yards, 3 touchdowns) pace the Owls ground game with most of LaBrozzi’s damage coming the past two weeks.

Freshman quarterback Jake Long is 18-for-38 passing for 301 yards and four interceptions.

Doug Surra has rushed 54 times for 270 yards and a touchdown to lead St. Marys, while quarterback Brandon Bennett is 10-for-37 passing for 119 yards and one touchdown.

Two neighborhood rivals meet up Friday night when Clarion makes the trek east of U.S. Route 322 to meet Clarion-Limestone.

This series is how back-yard brawls should be, in the first 30 meetings between the schools dating back to 1972, Clarion holds a slight 16-14 advantage despite outscoring the Lions 597-295 in the 30 games. As can be seen by that statistic, Clarion wins the blowouts, while C-L wins the close ones.

Last season was a close one, with the Lions beating the Bobcats 30-20 at Clarion in a game that ended up keeping Clarion out of the District 9 Class A playoffs.

The Bobcats would love to get revenge, but it will be a tough task against a very talented C-L ball club. Many of the Lion seniors still remember the 51-0 beating they took as freshmen in 1999 from Clarion and would love nothing more than to return the favor this year.

C-L has rolled through its first four games averaging a district-best 38.3 points per game and scoring 40 or more points in three of the first four games. The Lions defense has also been strong allowing a district-low 6.8 points per game. The Lions are coming off a 48-0 win at Keystone Friday night and will be playing only their second home game of the season.

Clarion, which will be hitting the road for the first time in three weeks, has struggled on offense this year averaging 18 points per game. But the Bobcats defense has been stingy allowing only 11.5 points per contest, the seventh best mark in the district.

The Bobcats’ defense will have to find a way to shut down C-L’s multi-talented quarterback Hayden Johnston. Johnston completed the hat trick last week when he caught a 24-yard touchdown pass on a wide-receiver option. He has now thrown, run and caught touchdowns this season. Through the air he is 17-for-39 passing for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while on the ground he has rushed the ball 66 times for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnston isn’t the only weapon for C-L, Brendan Huwar has rushed 64 times for 391 yards and eight touchdowns, while Ben Brooks has carried the ball 41 times for 296 yards and three scores. Brad Beggs has caught 12 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns and threw the scoring strike last week.

Clarion’s offense is led by running back Dave Larson (65 carries, 306 yards, 1 touchdown), while quarterback Jamie Arner is 22-for-55 passing for 252 yards and three touchdowns. He is only the 20^th quarterback at Clarion since 1975 to attempt 50 or more passes in a season.

Will Lewis (10 catches, 123 yards, 2 touchdown) and Jason Reed (7 catches, 90 yards, 1 touchdown) are Clarion’s top receivers.

This game features teams who have gotten to 3-1 with two very different styles.

Moniteau has the district’s fourth best defense allowing only 9.3 points per game, while Karns City has the sixth best offense in the district averaging 28 points per game. Since being held to six points in Week One by Clarion-Limestone, Karns City is averaging 26.5 35.3 points per game, the second-best total in District 9.

While Moniteau’s defense and Karns City’s offense have been strong, the two teams other units needs some work.

Moniteau is averaging only 17.5 points per game, and the Warriors offense has scored just 49 of the team’s 70 points in four games an average of 12.3 points per game for the offense.

Karns City’s defense, meanwhile, has allowed the fifth most points in the district at 114, an average of 28.5 points per game. Even if the 42 points C-L scored in Week One are taken out, the Gremlins are still allowing 24 points per game.

Running back Steve Saul (55 carries, 243 yards, 3 touchdowns), wide receiver Pat Rumbaugh (9 catches, 136 yards) and quarterback Clay Kohlmeyer (22-for-52, 276 yards, 1 touchdown) lead the Moniteau offense.

Running back Matt Carnahan (71 carries, 545 yards, 9 touchdowns), quarterback Erik Fuhrer (35-for-66 passing, 467 yards, 2 touchdowns; 25 carries, 72 yards, 3 touchdowns) and wide receiver Noll Steiner (14 catches, 171 yards, 2 touchdowns) pace the Gremlins offense.

Heading into last week against Clarion-Limestone, Keystone was hoping to use the game as a springboard for a KSAC title. But after getting beat 48-0, the Panthers are just looking for some answers as they head south to take on a dangerous foe in West Shamokin, who is coming off a 14-9 loss to Moniteau.

Keystone is hurting right now having watched three linebacker and numerous offensive linemen go down with injuries the past three weeks.

Quarterbacks Billy Colwell and Buck Neely pace the Panther offense. Colwell is 6-for-18 passing for 70 yards and two touchdowns while running the ball 32 times for 106 yards and two scores. But 105 of Colwell’s rushing yards and 37 of his passing yards came in a Week One win over Union.

Neely has been a bit stronger running 34 times for 163 yards while going 18-for-45 passing for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

The Swartzfager brothers of Barry and Sam have been key contributors as well. Barry has rushed 21 times for 96 yards and a touchdown, while catching two passes for 45 yards and a score. Same has run the ball 39 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns, while catching six passes for 56 yards. Bobby Telesz had 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns for the Panthers.

Quarterback Trevor Henderson leads West Shamokin. Henderson has run 42 times for 331 yards and two touchdowns, while going 17-for-46 passing for 194 yards.

Steven Cupec is adding 79 carries for 277 yards and one touchdown, while Craig Kaplon has run 29 times for 172 yards. Bryan Crytzer is the leading receiver with 7 catches for 80 yards.

Redbank Valley finds itself very much in the hunt for both the KSAC title and a District 9 Class A playoff berth as they head into a Week Five game at struggling A-C Valley.

The Bulldogs, fresh off a 30-22 win over Sharpsville, entered the season with a question mark at quarterback. But junior Shane Reed has emerged in a big way as the starting signal caller. Despite basically missing the Karns City game, Reed is 20-for-42 passing for 434 yards and four touchdowns.

The top receiver for the Bulldogs is Tyson Truitt (11 catches, 301 yards, 6 touchdowns), while Ron Geist (94 carries, 459 yards, 6 touchdowns) paces the ground game.

A-C Valley has struggled on offense all season having scored a district-worst 14 points. The Falcons have been shutout in back-to-back weeks losing to St. Marys and Union despite not allowing a touchdown. St. Marys hit four field goals to win 12-0 in Week Three, while Union connected on a field goal with under a minute left to play to get a 3-0 win last week. A-C Valley has been shut out in three of the first four weeks with all 14 of the points coming in a 24-14 loss to West Shamokin in Week Two. The Falcons defense, as noted, has been strong allowing just 16 points per contest,

Clearfield got back on the winning track in a big way last week thanks to a 42-0 win over Punxsutawney last week. Bellefonte lost a hard-fought 21-14 decision to Tyrone.

Running back Dave Richards, District 9’s leading rusher, paces the Bisons offense. Richards has run 85 times for 601 yards and nine touchdowns this season while catching 11 passes for 197 yards and a score.

Quarterback Michael Sayers is 35-for-68 passing for 476 yards and two touchdowns, while Todd Shaw has 10 catches for 96 yards. Craig Gardner has nine catches for 83 yards, while Joshua Harbold has rushed 23 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Corey Mislinski, quarterback Josh Mundy and wide receiver Ryan Smeltzer pace Bellefonte. In the Red Raiders first two conference games, Mislinski rushed 25 times for 73 yards and a touchdown, while Mundy was 13-for-24 passing for 168 yards. Smeltzer caught six passes for 87 yards.

In a game that pits two former Little 12 conference foes against each other, Brookville, a D9 League team since 1993, returns to its roots to play at Union Friday night.

After an opening game loss to Titusville, the Raiders have won three straight including a 20-3 win over A-C Valley last week. Union got its first win of the season and the first win for first-year head coach Scott Kindel last week when Adam Milanovich hit a 33-yard field goal with 45 seconds left to give the Knights a 3-0 win over A-C Valley.

Quarterback Cole Cook (45-for-81 passing, 587 yards, 3 touchdowns), running back Matt Gilbert (69 carries, 275 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Bill Morrison (44 carries, 176 yards, 4 touchdowns) and wide receivers Corey Santoriello (18 catches, 248 yards, 2 touchdowns; 7 carries, 126 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Brent Puller (11 catches, 112 yards) lead Brookville.

Running back Dennis Shay (60 carries, 230 yards) and Milanovich (17-for-44 passing, 209 yards, 1 touchdown) pace Union.

DuBois is still in search of its first win of the season, and the sledding will be tough when Hollidaysburg comes to town Friday night.

Last week the Beavers lost 49-12 to State College, while Hollidaysburg beat Erie McDowell 20-6.

DuBois has struggled both offensively and defensively this season. The Beavers are allowing an average of 36 points per game while scoring just eight points per game.

Quarterback Jon Wanson is 17-for-47 for 194 yards and one touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions. Justin Foltz (23 carries, 169 yards) and Vance Newell (39 carries, 127 yards, 1 touchdown) lead the Beavers running attack, while Mark Jones (10 catches, 133 yards, 1 touchdown) leads the receivers.

Last week Hollidaysburg won its third straight game. Top performers for the Tigers include running back Gifford Piper and quarterback Mike Meadows.

Punxsutawney suffered its first defeat last week 42-0 at Clearfield, while Warren rallied to beat Bradford 42-25.

Quarterback Joe Martin (28-for-57, 567 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions; 51 carries, 125 yards, 3 touchdowns), running back Dustin Guidash (40 catches, 213 yards, 3 touchdowns; 10 catches, 187 yards) and wide receiver Kyle Barilar (7 catches, 195 yards, 1 touchdown) lead the Chucks.

Quarterback Ben Maljovec (606 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns) and Mike Cradduck (513 yards rushing) lead Warren. Last week Maljovec rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns against Bradford, while Cradduck ran for 140 yards and a touchdown.