WEEK ONE PREVIEW STORIES

AUG. 30-AUG. 31

Not only does the season get underway, but Week One also offers a couple of marquee match-ups including Bradford at Clearfield and Clarion-Limestone at Karns City. Those two games could go a long way in determining the winners of the D9 League and the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference right off the bat.

Here are the previews for all 16 games in Week One.

Bradford (10-2 overall, 4-1 D9 League) at Clearfield (8-2, 4-1)

Clarion-Limestone (8-2, 7-1 KSAC) at Karns City (11-1, 8-0)

Last season Coudersport won its second District 9 Class A championship with an 18-13 win over Curwensville, while Cameron County had an up-and-down year that reflected in its final record never winning or losing more than two games in a row.

This year the Falcons are favored by many to repeat as District 9 champions. Those high expectations rest mainly on the left shoulder and throwing arm of senior quarterback Ben Cary. The second leading passer in District 9 last year and the district’s top returning QB, Cary was 92-for-196 in 2001 for 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions.

Cameron County, meanwhile, has a new coach, as Brian Lovett takes over the Red Raiders program.

Lovett is faced with the task of replacing his quarterback and his top two running backs from last season, but he does have his top receiver Scott Aikens (10 catches, 292 yards, 2 touchdowns) back.

The two teams did not meet in 2001.

Curwensville is coming off its second straight AML South title and its second consecutive trip to the District 9 Class A title game. The only difference is the Golden Tide lost the 2001 District 9 title to Coudersport after beating Clarion in 2000.

The Golden Tide, though, must replace almost all of their key players from 2001.

The top returning players include center/defensive lineman Cory Bailor, a two-time all-state selection and running back Brooks Collins (90 rushes, 428 yards and four touchdowns).

As of Aug. 27, no information was provided to D9Sports.Com on Eisenhower, which is under the direction of first-year head coach Drew Seaman.

The two teams did not meet in 2001.

Smethport is coming off a good season that saw the Hubbers win both the AML North title and the AML Championship only to lose to Curwensville, the team they beat in the AML Title game, in the opening round of the District 9 Class A playoffs.

ECC, meanwhile, has a new coach in Joe Renwick and is hoping to capitalize on some of the momentum gained by winning its final three games in 2001.

But in order for either team to duplicate or surpass its 2001 seasons, a lot of new faces are going to have to step up and contribute.

Smethport has only 13 letterwinners back from last season only two of whom started. The returning starters are guard/defensive end Nick Vandermark and center Cody Glick.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders have just six letterwinners back, but they do return their starting quarterback Bob Pearsall. In 2001 Pearsall was 51-for-93 for 545 yards and four touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions.

The two teams did not meet in 2001.

Both Johnsonburg and Youngsville had similar seasons in 2001 struggling to 3-6 records.

The Rams have a new-old coach this season, as former mentor Kevin Carter returns to the program.

Carter must find a way to replace its starting quarterback and running back from last year.

Junior quarterback Greg Wonderly will direct the Rams attack Wonderly, who started the final three games last season was 14-for-58 passing for 210 yards and one touchdown while throwing seven interceptions.

As of Aug. 27, no information was provided to D9Sports.Com on Youngsville.

The two teams did not play last week.

Ridgway started last season 0-3 before rebounding to win its final six games, while Otto-Eldred went through a rough season and is in search of its first win since the 1999 season.

The Elkers are hoping the fast finish last season will translate into a good start this year with 16 letterwinners returning to the mix.

Included in those 16 player for Ridgway are starting quarterback Andy Kelly (40-for-75, 50 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs), halfback Dave Bundy (18 rushes, 95 yards, 2 TDs), fullback Ryan Mitchell (104 carries, 348 yards, 6 TDs, 38 points), wide receiver Justin Buehler (4 catches, 55 yards), guard Paul Bullers and tackle Dave Bjorkquist.

Otto-Eldred is under new management this season, as Kerry Snow takes over the Terror program.

Snow is counting on his eight returning starters, including quarterback Joey Drake, running back Luke Breesem fullback Eric MacPherson, wide receiver Josh Barnish, tight end Keith Barrettm guard Tyler Schimp, offensive lineman Chris App and center Lee Windsor, to lead the way.

The teams did not play last year.

This game matches two teams with new coaches learning new systems.

A-C Valley is under the direction of Don King, the team's fourth new head coach in the past five seasons.

King, who previously coached in District 10, has installed a Wing-T offense in Foxburg.

Corey Clawson will be the Falcons quarterback in 2002, while Zach Heeter, Brad Hurrelbrink, Matt Knight and Colt Burk are the key running backs.

Moniteau, meanwhile, is under the guidance of former East Brady player Steve Wilson. Wilson has installed a West Coast offense for the Warriors, and to help the offense along he brought in his former East Brady teammate Chris Weibel as the quarterback coach. Weibel, who went on to star for Clarion University, quarterbacked in the Arena Football League II this past season.

Weibel's primary pupil is quarterback Clay Kohlmeyer, who played one-half of one game at quarterback last season.

Last season Moniteau beat A-C Valley 22-14.

This game matches two teams who are trying to take another step forward, although.

Union, which has its third head coach in three years with Scott Kindel taking the reigns, is looking to move out of the basement in the KSAC, while Keystone, last year’s surprise team in the conference is looking to not only contend for a KSAC title this year but also a District title.

Kindel is attempting to make the Golden Knights a faster, quicker team in 2002.

Along those lines, a battle for the starting quarterback spot was still too close to call between sophomore Adam Milanovich and junior Zach Toven, while James Myers and Devon Kriebel will see the majority of the action at tailback. Kory Hawk will be the fullback for Union. The wide receivers will be Andy Paulden, Ryan Freilino, Brandon Allen and Darren Laughlin with Jon McKinney at tight end.

Keystone, meanwhile, believes it has the talent to win a district title despite the loss of the district’s top passer from a year ago in Adam Black (140-for271, 2,342 yards, 30 TDs, 6 ints), who has taken his talent to Division I Marshall.

The Panthers will use the two-headed QB tandem of Buck Neely and Billy Colwell to replace Black, but will have their top receiver Bobby Telesz (54 catches, 944 yards, 15 TDs) back from last season.

Last season Keystone beat Union 32-8.

This is a game that could see two teams on the rise.

After years of having trouble winning even one game in the KSAC, West Shamokin (formerly Shannock Valley) broke through in 2001 with a couple of KSAC wins.

Redbank Valley, meanwhile, had a down year in 2001 but might be poised to make a run at the KSAC title in 2002.

The Bulldogs offense will be led by running back Ron Geist, who returns for his third season as a starter. Last year Geist was the eighth leading rusher in the district toting the ball 196 times for 1,020 yards and eight touchdowns

Another key component for Redbank Valley will be wide receiver Tyson Truitt, who was the seventh leading receiver in the district a year ago. He caught 23 passes for 509 yards and four touchdowns.

The one question mark heading into the season for Redbank will be who will get Geist and Truitt the ball. A training camp battle for the QB spot was taking place between Cody Doverspike, last season's backup, and converted wide receiver Shane Reed.

As of Aug. 27, no information was provided to D9Sports.Com on West Shamokin.

Last season Redbank Valley beat West Shamokin 23-20.

Brookville travels to Crawford County for its season opening game against the Titusville Rockets.

The Raiders enter the season hoping to improve on last year's 1-8 campaign.

In order to do that, Brookville will need to get a strong performance out of starting quarterback Cole Cook. Cook did a decent job last season going 57-for-143 passing for 757 yards and three touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions.

Two other key returning players for the Raiders will be wide receiver Brett Puller (5 catches, 76 yards) and running back Josh Rakovan (36 carries, 97 yards).

Titusville, meanwhile, will look to a strong defense to hold Brookville down. In the Rockets final scrimmage last week against Union City, Titusville's defense held Union City's offense out of the end zone and off the scoreboard.

Quarterback Tommy Smith will direct the Titusville offense. In the Union City scrimmage, Smith scored the lone points of the game on a 55-yard quarterback keeper.

Last season Titusville beat Brookville 38-0.

For the first time since this series started in 1999, this game could come down to the fourth quarter. St. Marys looks to have an improved squad from last season, while Clarion appears to be a rebuilding year.

Brandon Bennett, the returning starter at quarterback, will led the Dutchmen. Last season, Bennett was 27-for-68 passing for 458 yards and eight touchdowns while running the ball 86 times for 331 yards and five touchdowns.

Clarion, meanwhile, has to find a way to replace its starting quarterback (Ben Bevevino) and running back (Kyle Cathcart - D9Sports.Com District 9 Player of the Year) from last season.

Converted tight end Joel McNeil should get the nod at quarterback, while Dave Larson is the No. 1 option in the backfield for Larry Wiser's Bobcats. Clarion does have a strong receiving corps led by Will Lewis and B.J. Roth.

Last season Clarion beat St. Marys 32-13.

For the last few seasons this game had playoff implications, as DuBois was grouped with District 6 for the playoffs. But this season, the Beavers are part of the District 10 playoff group, so this game does not have quite the same amount of importance on it from the playoff standpoint. Never the less, the game is an important one for DuBois, as the Beavers have a young team in 2002.

Wide receiver will be the strength of the DuBois team with Mark Jones (14 catches, 264 yards, 3 TDs) and Ryan Samanka (6 catches, 97 yards) returning from last season.

The Beavers had a quarterback competition going on in training camp between Mike Hunter and Joe Wanson.

Central Mountain returns two quarterbacks who saw playing time in 2001 in Brad Graham (26-for-57, 184 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) and Sean Hanna (29-for-62, 449 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTS).

The Wildcats top returning rusher is Jeremy Johnson (43 carries, 274 yards, 2 touchdowns).

Last season DuBois beat Central Mountain 13-10.

Punxsutawney makes the trip to Slippery Rock Friday night hoping to build on the momentum created by winning four of its final five games in 2001.

The Chucks will look to returning starters at quarterback (Joe Martin) and running back (Dustin Guidash) to lead the way. Last season Martin was 49-for-98 passing for 708 yards and five touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. Guidash, meanwhile, ran for 997 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Slippery Rock is under the direction of former Clarion-Limestone head coach Clyde Conti, who begins his first season coaching the Rockets.

Conti has installed a Wing-T offense at Slippery Rock, but the Rockets showed they weren't going to shy away from the pass in their final scrimmage against Karns City last Friday. In that game, the Rockets played Karns City fairly evenly.

The two teams did not meet last season.

Brockway makes the trip north Saturday afternoon hoping to start its quest for the AML South title with a win over Sheffield.

The Rovers will be led by running backs Jeremy Sickeri (161 carries, 673 yards, 4 TDs) and Jon Cantafio (135 carries, 595 yards, 6 TDs) and quarterback John Himes (30-for-79, 456 yards, 5 touchdowns, 13 interceptions).

Sheffield, under the direction of first-year head coach Scott Park, is looking to improve on last season's mark, which was the school's best in 13 years.

Third-year starting quarterback Nik Obenrader will lead the Wolverines, which are actually a co-op between Sheffield and Abraxass. Last season, Obenrader's stats for the five games D9Sports.Com was provided with were impressive. In those games he was 28-for-73 passing for 601 yards. He threw three touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Other key players for Sheffield include Jared Snell, Robin Copley and Brendan Lobdell.

The teams did not meet in 2001.

Both of these teams will be looking to regain the status of two seasons ago when they were near the top of their respective AML divisions. Last year both fell toward to the back of the pack, but both believe the experience gained a year ago will help them be competitive in 2002.

Senior quarterback Tyler Smith, a three-year starter, leads Kane. Last season Smith was 109-for-186 passing for 1,477 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The key players for Port Allegany are running back Adam Rohrer, tight end Jordan Barnard, running backs Joe Hardes and Claude Haskins, wide receiver David Darush and split end Jerry Tanner.

The two teams did not play in 2001.