WEEK FOUR PREVIEW STORIES

Sept. 20-21

KNOX – Believe it or not the halfway point in the high school football season is nearing, as we enter Week Four of the 2002 season.

Division races are starting to heat up, and if the first three weeks are any indication of what is to come races in all four conference in District 9 could come down to the last couple of weeks.

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.

Both these teams are coming off wins last week, as Port Allegany knocked off Smethport 29-24 and Coudersport rebounded from a Week Two loss to Eisenhower to roll over Curwensville 33-12.

Quarterback Craig Flint 21-for-50, 327 yards, 3 touchdowns) and running back Adam Rohrer (56 carries, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns) lead the Gators, while quarterback Ben Cary (20-for-50, 263 yards, 4 touchdowns) and running back Zack Hershey (50 carries, 232 yards, 4 touchdowns; 4 catches, 63 yards – missing one week’s stats) lead the defending District 9 Class A champion Falcons.

It has been a very long time since these two teams have met when Smethport has had a losing record. But that is the case this year with the Hubbers dropping two of their first three games including 29-24 last week at Port Allegany.

Meanwhile, Otto-Eldred is still looking for its first win of the 21^st century. The Terrors currently sport the district’s longest losing streak at 22. Otto-Eldred is also 0-19 in the last 19 meetings against Smethport.

Smethport is led by Mike Mitchell (31 carries, 249 yards, 2 touchdowns – missing one week’s stats), while Otto, who is without starting quarterback Joey Drake, is paced by wide receiver Josh Barnish (11 catches, 202 yards, 2 touchdowns – missing one week’s stats).

A couple of District 10, Warren County teams get together in this AML North match-up Saturday.

Youngsville is off to its best start since 1994 following a 13-0 shutout of Otto-Eldred last week, while Sheffield fell 19-6 a week ago. It was the fewest points scored by Sheffield since Coudersport shut them out Oct. 7, 2000.

Youngsville is led by quarterback Andy Chase (12-for-41, 220 yards, 4 touchdowns) and running back/quarterback Jamie Blum (5-for-16, 111 yards; 8 catches, 169 yards, 3 touchdowns; 32 carries, 202 yards, 1 touchdown), while quarterback Nik Obenrader (24-for59, 501 yards, 6 touchdowns) and wide receiver Robin Copley (4 catches, 177 yards, 3 touchdowns – missing one week’s stats) lead Sheffield.

This game could have AML South title and District 9 playoff implications. The winner is still very much alive in both races, while the loser will have an uphill climb ahead of them.

Curwensville is coming off a 33-12 loss at home to Coudersport last week. It was the first regular-season non-overtime loss and first home loss for the Golden Tide since Nov. 5, 1999 (Clearfield 28-20), a streak of nine games. It was their first AML South home loss since Oct. 22, 1999 (Cameron County 16-6), a streak of 10 games.

Brooks Collins (43 rushes, 164 yards, 1 touchdown), Greg Gilbert (8 catches, 219 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Travis McDonald (18-for-39, 278 yards, 3 touchdowns) pace the Golden Tide.

Cameron County is fresh off a 9-0 win over Elk County Catholic, and the Red Raiders defense has allowed just six points in their last two games. But Cameron County’s offense has been almost non-existent, as the Red Raiders have scored only 22 points all season (three touchdowns) with only two of the six-pointers being produced by the offense.

Scott Aikens (9 catches, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 kickoff return for a touchdown) has scored all three of Cameron County's touchdowns. Quarterback Kyle Vogt is 20-for-43, 366 yards with two touchdowns, while running back Adam Kesterholt has carried the ball 34 times for 161 yards.

Elk County Catholic looked like it was going to be a team to beat after topping Smethport 20-7 in Week One, but since then the Crusaders have been outscored 30-0 and are coming off a 9-0 loss to Cameron County.

Kane, on the other hand, has surprised a lot of people and has put itself in position to make a run at the AML South title. The Wolves are coming off a 19-8 win at Ridgway and have outscored their opponents 106-25 in the first three games.

Running backs Ted Cherry (37 carries, 217 yards, 1 touchdown) and Shane Funair (47 carries, 143 yards, 1 touchdown), quarterback Bob Pearsall (18-for-40, 181 yards, 1 touchdown) and wide receiver Matt Eckert (7 catches, 69 yards) lead ECC.

Quarterback Tyler Smith (34-for-53m 436 yards, 2 touchdowns), running back Mike Jamerson (42 carries, 248 yards, 6 touchdowns; 9 catches, 79 yards) and wide receivers Tim Smith (7 catches, 112 yards) and Hugh Rich (9 catches, 188 yards) pace Kane.

It doesn’t matter what the record are when these two Elk County neighbors and rivals get together. If the game is anything like the last two years, fans will be in for a treat. In 2000 Ridgway came away with a 17-12 win, while last year the Elkers were victorious 29-27.

This has been a tough season for the Rams under head coach Kevin Carter. They have lost three games by a combined total of 127-50 including last week’s 40-22 loss to Brockway.

Ridgway, meanwhile, had high hopes entering the year but following two straight loses to Brockway (21-20, overtime) and Kane (19-8) the Elkers need to do some soul searching.

Quarterback Greg Wonderly (31-for-76, 490 yards, 3 touchdowns, 7 interceptions), running back Quentin Shreffler (35 carries, 167 yards, 2 touchdowns) and wide receivers Eric Iorfido (10 catches, 208 yards, 1 touchdown) and Jeremy Polaski (11 catches, 103 yards, 1 touchdown) lead Johnsonburg.

Running backs Ryan Mitchell (45 carries, 260 yards, 3 touchdowns), Dave Bundy (27 carries, 185 yards, 1 touchdown) and Josh Mercer (35 carries, 168 yards, 2 touchdowns) and quarterback Andy Kelly (26-for-42, 227 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) pace Ridgway.

In yet another AML cross-over game that holds significance for races in both the north and the south, Eisenhower hits the road to Brockway Friday night.

The Knights have been the surprise team in the AML North this season with wins over Coudersport and Sheffield and a one-point loss to Curwensville, while Brockway has been every bit as good as advertised rolling up 111 points in its first three games.

Quarterback Jacoby Curtis (20-for-52, 235 yards, 2 touchdowns; 27 carries, 114 yards) and wide receiver Ryan Irwin (9 catches, 179 yards, 2 touchdowns) lead Eisenhower, while quarterback John Himes (20-for-31, 330 yards, 4 touchdowns), wide receiver Tom Bussard (9 catches, 173 yards, 1 touchdown) and running backs Jon Cantafio (37 carries, 155 yards, 1 touchdown) and Jeremy Sickeri (41 carries, 174 yards, 2 touchdowns) lead the Rovers.

After playing KSAC teams in the first three weeks, St. Marys finally gets a D9 League opponent when the Dutch travel south-by-west to Brookville Friday night.

The Dutch are coming off a 12-0 win at A-C Valley that saw kicker Tristan Mulcahy earn D9Sports.Com District 9 Player of the Week honors with four field goals, including three over 40 yards, while Brookville has won two in a row and is coming off a 34-13 win at DuBois.

Running back Doug Surra (45 carries, 255 yards, 1 touchdown) paces the St, Marys offense, while a host of players including quarterback Cole Cook (39-for-62, 462 yards, 2 touchdowns), wide receivers Brent Puller (11 catches, 12 yards) and Corey Santoriello (15 catches, 191 yards, 1 touchdown; 6 rushes, 117 yards, 2 touchdowns) and running backs Matt Gilbert (50 carries, 191 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Bill Morrison (28 carries, 120 yards, 3 touchdowns) lead Brookville.

One of these teams will give their first-year head coach his first win at the school.

Quarterback Corey Clawson (35 carries, 85 yards, 1 touchdown; 7-for-13, 53 yards) leads first-year head coach Don King's A-C Valley Falcons, who lost 12-0 to St. Marys last week.

Quarterbacks Adam Milanovich (12-for-27, 142 yards, 1 touchdown) and Zach Toven (12-for-29, 162 yards, 1 touchdown) running back Dennis Shay (33 carries, 137 yards) and tight end Jon McKinney (7 catches, 105 yards) pace Scott Kindel's Knights, who are coming off a 19-0 loss at Clarion.

For the fourth straight year this game has implications in the KSAC race. Both these teams need a win if they have any real hope at winning the conference crown, and Clarion probably needs to win out if the Bobcats have any legitimate chance at making the playoffs.

Karns City has rebounded nicely from its 42-6 loss to Clarion-Limestone in Week One winning the last two week by a combined score of 82-56 including last week's 43-28 win over Redbank Valley. Gremlin nation is probably a little concerned about Karns City's defense, which has allowed an average of 32.7 points per game.

But there is nothing wrong with the Gremlins offense under the direction of senior quarterback Erik Fuhrer. Fuhrer is 30-for-53 passing on the year for 393 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target has been Noll Steiner who has caught 13 passes for 162 yards and two scores. Another key to the Karns City resurgence the last two weeks has been running back Matt Carnahan. On the year Carnahan has rushed 45 times for 347 yards and six touchdowns. Fuhrer has added 65 yards and three touchdowns on the ground this season.

Clarion, which is coming off a 19-0 win over Union, has won its two games thanks to defense and special teams.

For the third week in a row that Bobcats returned an interception for a touchdown, and Clarion's defense and special teams have accounted for four of the team's eight touchdowns during the season. The defense has also allowed just 21 points in the first three games.

On offense, quarterback Jamie Arner is coming off his best week of the season. Arner was 7-for-14 passing for 116 yards and a score against Union and also ran for a touchdown. On the season he is 16-for-36 for 198 yards and one touchdown.

Arner's favorite target is wide receiver Will Lewis who has caught eight passes for 96 yards and a score. Wingback Jason Reed has been another key contributor catching four passes for 69 yards and running 25 times for 139 yards and a score.

West Shamokin will make the trip west to Moniteau Friday night for a KSAC game that could either put some distance between these two teams or tighten up already tight KSAC standings.

Sophomore quarterback Trevor Henderson (32 carries, 299 yards, 2 touchdowns; 12-for-32, 164 yards) and running back Steven Cupec (59 carries, 206 yards, 3 touchdowns) lead the Wolves who lost 42-7 to Clarion-Limestone last week.

Quarterback Clay Kohlmeyer (19-for-45, 241 yards), running backs Ben Elliott (29 carries, 120 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Steve Saul (40 carries, 169 yards, 2 touchdowns) and wideout Pat Rumbaugh (8 catches, 126 yards) pace Steve Wilson's Warriors who fell 14-7 to Keystone a week ago.

Bradford is still looking for its first win of the season, and the Owls five-game road trip to start the year takes them against another tough opponent in Warren from District 10.

Warren is coming off a 40-33 win over Franklin last week, and the Dragons offense has been explosive in 2002 racking of 116 points in three games while allowing 46.

Bradford has struggles on offense early in the season. The Owls have been outscored 92-34 in their three games including 51-14 in their last two games. Bradford is coming off a 20-0 loss at Punxsutawney.

Running back Sean Hvizdzak leads the Owls offense. He has rushed 23 times for 152 yards. Brandon LaBrozzi has come on strong for Bradford the past two weeks rushing 16 times for 64 yards including 10 for 54 last week.

Quarterback Ben Maljovec and tailback Michael Cradduck are the key offensive players for the Dragons. Maljovec has run for 364 yards and nine touchdowns in the first three games of the season. He ran 21 times for 161 yards and three scores against Franklin. Cradduck has rushed for 373 yards in the first three weeks including 16 carries for 123 yards against Franklin. The Dragons only three one pass against Franklin, an incompletion, while running 55 times for 383 yards.

Redbank Valley, coming off a 43-28 loss to Karns City last week, entertains traditional District 10 powerhouse Sharpsville Friday night.

The Blue Devils are not in a very good mood having started the season 1-2 including their first home loss in 25 games last week to state powerhouse Pius X 41-10. Sharpsville also dropped a 34-10 decision to WPIAL and state powerhouse Western Beaver in Week One. The Blue Devils beat Reynolds 14-0 in Week Two.

A quarterback controversy could be brewing in New Bethlehem, as sophomore Jason Smith started last week and performed well going 4-for-9 for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Also in the mix are Shane Reed, who sat out the first half last week because of disciplinary action, and Cody Doverspike, who missed last week's game because of disciplinary action. Reed likely will start this week. Last week he was 1-for-4 for five yards in limited action. On the season he is 8-for-19 for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

Key weapons for the Bulldogs include running back Ron Geist (93 carries, 366 yards, 4 touchdowns) and wide receiver Tyson Truitt (7 catches, 219 yards, 5 touchdowns). Last week Truitt caught five passes for 169 yards and four touchdowns scoring on his first four catches.

Top players for Sharpsville include quarterback Mark Anglin, wide out Ray Rotell and running backs Ricky Golub, Shawn Valenly and Jeff Watson. Golub is a freshman and Valenly is a sophomore.

It is not very often if ever that a State-College-DuBois game features two teams with a combined record of 0-6, but that is what has happened this season.

Both teams have struggled in the early going on offense with DuBois being outscored 95-20 and State College 89-29. DuBois scores its first two offensive touchdowns last week in a 34-13 loss to Brookville, while State College lost 2407 to Altoona. State College, meanwhile, has been outgained 1,191 to 688 on the year.

While both teams have struggles, a lot of State College's struggles might have something to do with the Little Lions' schedules. In the first three weeks State College has played Central Dauphin (41-15), Bishop McDevitt (24-7) and Altoona. Those three teams are a combined 9-0, and Central Dauphin is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AAAA by the Harrisburg Patriot-News and No. 3 by the PA Football News. Bishop McDevitt is ranked No. 10 by the Harrisburg Patriot-News in Class AAAA, and No. 9 by the Pa Football News, and Altoona is an Honorable Mention Selection is Class AAAA by the Patriot-News and an "others to watch" selection by the PFN.

A host of players lead DuBois including quarterback Joe Wanson (11-for-36, 144 yards, 1 TD), running back Justin Foltz (16 carries, 146 yards) and wide receiver Mark Jones (4 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD). Wanson (6-for-17, 88 yards, 1 TD) and Jones (3 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD) had their best weeks of the season last week.

Jon Stupar, a Division I tight end prospect, is probably the top player for State College. He has 12 catches for 113 yards on the season with seven of the catches coming against Altoona. Running back Curt Varner had 19 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown against Altoona, while quarterback Kevin Shuey is 25-for-261 on the season with one touchdown pass. This is the first time State College has been 0-3 under head coach Dave Lintal.