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By Chris Rossetti
KANE – With the season heading down the home stretch
there are still some very important games left to be played, especially in
Class A where seven teams are still battling for the four playoff spots.
Five of those teams are playing in three very key
match-ups this week, so we are featuring all three games as our games of
the week.
The games are Clarion-Limestone (6-0 overall, 5-0 KSAC)
at Redbank Valley (5-1, 4-1), Kane (5-1 overall, 5-1 AML South) at
Brockway (4-2, 4-2) and Ridgway (4-2 overall, 4-2 AML South) at
Curwensville (4-2, 4-2).
C-L can almost assure itself of a playoff spot with a
win, but a loss would not damage the Lions chances very much. Redbank
Valley needs to win if it doesn’t want to have to sweat out the
remaining couple of weeks hoping for someone else to stumble.
Kane is still in the driver’s for the AML South title
despite losing to Curwensville last week, but another Wolves loss would
open the door for Curwensville, Brockway or Ridgway to steal the title
that seemed to be a lock for Kane last week.
The loser of the Ridgway-Curwensville game is probably
going to be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
Coudersport (5-1 overall, 5-1 AML North) got a big lift
from archrival Smethport when the Hubbers knocked off Eisenhower in a game
completed Monday. The Eisenhower loss means Coudersport is in the drivers
seat for their first-ever AML North title. The Falcons also know if they
win out they will have a playoff berth clinched.
Keystone (4-2 overall, 3-2 KSAC) needs to win out and
hope for some help if it wants to make the playoffs.
In Class AA, Karns City (5-1) is still in the
front-running position for the top seed in Class A, while Brookville’s
loss to Bradford last week and a tough game with Oil City this week makes
the Raiders (4-2) chances of a No. 1 seed a little harder to achieve.
Brockway is waiting in the wings to steal a home playoff game if
Brookville should stumble, while Moniteau (3-3) needs to go .500 the rest
of the way if it wants to play in the postseason.
In Class AAA, Clearfield (4-2) is starting to look like
the preseason favorites the Bisons were heading into the year.
Punxsutawney (4-2) got back on track last week, but the surprise team
could be Bradford (2-4) which started the year 0-4 but has won two
straight and seems to be getting back into gear. St. Marys (2-4) kept its
playoff chances alive with a win over DuBois last week.
DuBois (0-6) will most likely sit out the District 10
Class AAAA playoffs, while Eisenhower’s (4-2) loss to Smethport could
hurt the Knights shots at being picked for the District 10 Class AA
playoffs.
On the flip side of the coin, three teams head into
this week looking to break double-digit losing streaks. Otto-Eldred’s
winless streak is up to 25 games, and the 0-6 Terrors visit Elk County
Catholic (2-4) this week. A-C Valley (0-6) is riding an 11-game slide and
heads to Keystone this week, while DuBois and its 10-game losing streak is
at Bradford.
THURSDAY OCT. 10-FRIDAY OCT. 11
FEATURED GAME (Click on the game to see the previews)
CLARION-LIMESTONE (6-0 overall, 5-0 KSAC) at REDBANK
VALLEY (5-1, 4-1) 7 p.m. Thursday
KANE (5-1 overall, 5-1 AML South) at BROCKWAY (4-2, 4-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
RIDGWAY (4-2 overall, 4-2 AML South) at CURWENSVILLE
(4-2, 4-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday
GAME CAPSULES -- Listed Alphabetically by Conference
|
AML NORTH |
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Youngsville (2-4 overall, 2-4 AML North) at
Coudersport (5-1, 5-1) |
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WHERE |
Coudersport |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Coudersport beat Otto-Eldred 42-7
Youngsville lost to Ridgway 48-13 |
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GAME STORY |
- After starting the season 2-1, Youngsville has dropped three
straight games. During the losing skid, the Eagles have been
outscored 105-20.
- Thanks to Smethport’s win over Eisenhower, all Coudersport
has to do is win out to win the AML North title for the first
time and qualify for the AML Title game. The Falcons offense has
been on fire averaging 33.5 ppg during their current four-game
winning streak.
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YOUNGSVILLE LEADERS |
Running back Jamie Blum (62 carries, 309 yards, 1 touchdown, 11
catches, 245 yards, 4 touchdowns), Quarterback Andy Chase (24-for-81
passing for 430 yards, 6 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) |
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COUDERSPORT LEADERS |
Quarterback Ben Cary (43-for-99 passing for 746 yards, 6
touchdowns, 3 interceptions), running back Zach Hershey (103 carries
for 534 yards, 14 touchdowns; 10 catches for 115 yards), wide
receivers Jeremiah Frederick (9 catches, 198 yards, 2 touchdowns)
and Jarrett Levavasseur (6 catches, 165 yards, 3 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Youngsville hosts Port Allegany Friday
Coudersport is at Sheffield Saturday |
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Sheffield (2-4 overall, 2-4 AML North) at
Smethport (3-3, 3-3) |
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WHERE |
Smethport |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Sheffield lost to Port Allegany 14-7
Smethport beat Eisenhower 25-12 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Sheffield offense has struggled since quarterback Nik
Obenrader went down with an injury two weeks ago. The Wolverines
were pass-happy team, but have struggled since the injury
- Smethport is playing on just three days rest after a power
outage Friday forced the Hubbers to finish their game against
Eisenhower Monday. Smethport has been inconsistent so far in
2002 and have yet to put together back-to-back wins. But on the
other-hand, Smethport has not lost two games in a row either.
|
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SHEFFIELD LEADERS |
Obenrader (33-for-80 passing, 637 yards, 7 touchdowns, 7
interceptions), Robin Copley, Josh Shirey, Jimmy Mosher |
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SMETHPORT LEADERS |
Quarterback Ryan Mitchell (100 rushes, 624 yards, 10 touchdowns;
144 yards passing), running back Andy Rounsville (154 yards rushing,
1 touchdown) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Sheffield hosts Coudersport Saturday
Smethport is at Kane Friday |
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EISENHOWER (4-2 overall, 4-2 AML North) at Port
Allegany (3-3, 3-3) |
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WHERE |
Port Allegany |
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WHEN |
1:30 p.m. Saturday |
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LAST WEEK |
Eisenhower lost 25-12 to Smethport
Port Allegany beat Sheffield 14-7 |
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GAME STORY |
- Eisenhower is playing on just four days rest because its game
with Smethport had to be completed Monday due to a power outage.
The Knights shot at the AML North title suffered a serious blow
with the loss to Smethport. Eisenhower needs Coudersport to lose
either this week or next while the Knights win out to claim the
title.
- Port Allegany started the season 1-3 but have won two
straight. A win over Eisenhower could go along way to helping
the Gators get a winning season with Youngsville and Elk County
Catholic in the final two weeks.
|
|
EISENHOWER LEADERS |
(All stats missing one week)
Quarterback Jacoby Curtis (37-for-72 passing, 592 yards, 6
touchdowns), wide receiver Ryan Irwin (13 catches, 246 yards, 2
touchdowns). Place kicker Jason Passinger has hit six field goals
this season. |
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PORT ALLEGANY LEADERS |
Running back Adam Rohrer (97 carries for 507 yards, 5
touchdowns), quarterback Craig Flint (38-for-82 passing for 586
yards, 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions), wide receiver Jeremy Niece (6
catches, 206 yards, 2 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Eisenhower hosts Otto-Eldred Friday
Port Allegany is at Youngsville Friday |
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AML SOUTH |
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Johnsonburg (1-5 overall, 1-5 AML South) at
Cameron County (3-3, 3-3) |
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WHERE |
Emporium |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Johnsonburg lost to Elk County Catholic 14-12
Cameron County lost to Brockway 23-0 |
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GAME STORY |
- Johnsonburg is suffering through a rebuilding season. The Rams
have struggled to put points on the board and to keep other
teams off the board. They are being outscored by an average of
27-14 this season
- Cameron County’s season started out with promise, as the Red
Raiders were 3-1 at one point. But two straight loses have all
but killed any hope of Cameron making it to the Class A
playoffs. The culprit has been the defense, which allowed just
32 points in the first four weeks but has allowed 50 in the last
two. The offense, which seemed to have awakened with 20 points
against Kane two weeks ago went back into hibernation in getting
shutout and dominated by Brockway.
|
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JOHNSONBURG LEADERS |
Quarterback Greg Wonderly (48-for-124 passing for 678 yards, 4
touchdowns, 11 interceptions), wide Receiver Eric Iorfido (19
catches, 319 yards, 2 touchdowns), running back Quentin Shreffler
(63 carries, 233 yards, 3 touchdowns) |
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CAMERON COUNTY LEADERS |
Running back Adam Kesterholt (75 rushes, 401 yards, 1 touchdown),
quarterback Kyle Vogt (37-for-97 passing for 595 yards, 4
touchdowns, 9 interceptions), wide receiver Scott Aikens (13 catches
for 366 yards, 3 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Johnsonburg hosts Curwensville Friday
Cameron County is at Ridgway Friday |
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AML CROSSOVER |
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Otto-Eldred (0-6 overall, 0-6 AML North) at Elk
County Catholic (2-4 overall, 2-4 AML South) |
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WHERE |
St. Marys |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Otto-Eldred lost to Coudersport 42-7
Elk County Catholic beat Johnsonburg 14-12 |
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GAME STORY |
- Otto-Eldred is trying to snap a 25-game losing skid. The
Terrors last won in the next to the last week of the 1999 season
when they beat Youngsville. Otto’s offense and defense have
been the problems in 2002. The Terrors are being outscored an
average of 40-9. Their defense is the worst in the district and
their offense is third from the bottom.
- ECC broke a 4-game skid with the win over Johnsonburg last
week. The Crusaders jumped out to a 14-0 lead but had to
withstand a furious Rams comeback in the final six minutes. ECC’s
offense has struggled all season long, and they have scored just
one more point that Otto.
|
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OTTO-ELDRED LEADERS |
Wide receiver Josh Barnish (277 yards, 2 touchdown stats minus 3
games) |
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ELK CO. CATH. LEADERS |
Running backs Ted Cherry (75 carries, 449 yards, 2 touchdowns)
& Shane Funair (92 carries, 329 yards, 3 touchdowns),
quarterback Bob Pearsall (30-for-75 passing, 283 yards, 1 touchdown,
8 interceptions), wide out Matt Eckert (15 catches, 113 yards) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Otto-Eldred is at Eisenhower Friday
ECC hosts Brockway Friday |
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D9 LEAGUE |
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DuBois (0-6 overall, 0-3 D9 League) at Bradford
(2-4, 2-2) |
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WHERE |
Bradford |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
DuBois lost to St. Marys 36-21
Bradford beat Brookville 33-27 |
|
GAME STORY |
- DuBois is in serious jeopardy of not winning a game in a
season that is five games or more for the first time in school
history. The previous worst Beavers record was in 1961 when they
went 1-8-1. DuBois also had the third longest losing streak in
District 9 at 10 games behind A-C Valley (11) and Otto-Eldred
(25).
- Bradford seems to be on the verge of turning its season
around. After starting 0-4, the Owls have beaten St. Marys and
Brookville that last two weeks and are still in the hunt for a
share of the D9 League title. The offense has been the major
reason for the turnaround scoring 86 points while going 2-1 the
last three weeks. In the first three weeks of the season,
Bradford managed just 34 points. Defense is still a question
mark for the Owls. They are allowing an average of 30.3 ppg and
have yet to hold an opponent under 20 points.
|
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DUBOIS LEADERS |
Wide receivers Mark Jones (12 catches, 154 yards, 1 touchdowns)
& Ryan Samanka (8 catches, 132 yards), quarterback Jon Wanson
(23-for-68 passing for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, 8 interceptions),
running backs Justin Foltz (49 carries, 263 yards, 1 touchdown)
& Vance Newell (51 carries, 175 yards, 1 touchdown) |
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BRADFORD LEADERS |
Running backs Sean Hvizdzak (352 yards, 4 touchdowns), Shawn
Colligan (313 yards, 5 touchdowns; 8 catches, 182 yards), Brandon
LaBrozzi (263 yards, 3 touchdowns), quarterback Jake Long (22-for-45
passing for 377 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 interceptions). |
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NEXT WEEK |
DuBois is at Oil City Friday
Bradford hosts Bellefonte Friday |
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St. Marys (2-4 overall, 1-2 D9 League) at
Punxsutawney (4-2, 2-1) |
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WHERE |
Punxsutawney |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
St. Marys beat DuBois 36-21
Punxsutawney beat Lewistown 35-28 |
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GAME STORY |
- St. Marys can get itself right back into the D9 League race
with a win at Punxsutawney. The Dutchmen’s offense discovered
itself the past two weeks scoring 57 points after managing just
36 in the first four weeks of the year.
- Punxsutawney broke a two-game losing streak with the win last
week. The Chucks offense got back on track scoring 35 points
after being held to only eight points during the losing skid.
|
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ST. MARYS LEADERS |
Running back Doug Surra (96 carries, 587 yards, 5 touchdowns),
quarterback Brandon Bennett (23-for-60 passing for 262 yards, 3
touchdowns, 4 interceptions), receiver Lopaka Hoolihil (9 catches,
134 yards, 3 touchdowns) |
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PUNXSUTAWNEY LEADERS |
Quarterback Joe Martin (46-for-90, 835 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5
interceptions; 149 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns), running backs
Dustin Guidash (315 yards, 3 touchdowns; 20 catches, 335 yards, 3
touchdowns) & Zach Bernat (247 yards, 3 touchdowns, 8.2 ypc),
wide receiver Kyle Barilar (9 catches, 234 yards, 1 touchdown) |
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NEXT WEEK |
St. Marys is at Clearfield Friday
Punxsutawney is at Brookville Friday |
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KEYSTONE SHORTWAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE |
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West Shamokin (2-4, 2-4) at Union (1-5, 1-5) |
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WHERE |
Union |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Thursday |
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LAST WEEK |
West Shamokin beat Clarion 8-6
Union lost to Clarion-Limestone 54-0 |
|
GAME STORY |
- West Shamokin is riding the high of its first win over Clarion
since 1993 when the Wolves were still Shannock Valley. West
Shamokin’s offense has had trouble scoring in 2002 posting
just 67 points in the past two weeks.
- Union needs to rebound from back-to-back blowouts against
Brookville and C-L. The Golden Knights’ defense which allowed
just 70 points in the first four weeks of the season has been
blitzed for 94 in the last two weeks. And Union’s offense is
not built to come-from-behind. The Knights have scored the
second fewest points in District 9 (32) and have scored in
double digits just once this season.
|
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WEST SHAMOKIN LEADERS |
Quarterback Trevor Henderson (54 carries, 334 yards, 3
touchdowns; 248 yards passing), running backs Steven Cupec (123
carries, 446 yards, 5 touchdowns) & Craig Kaplon (40 carries,
220 yards, 1 touchdown) |
|
UNION LEADERS |
Quarterback Adam Milanovich (31-for-73 passing for 380 yards, 2
touchdowns, 9 interceptions), running back Dennis Shay (84 carries,
292 yards; 11 catches, 93 yards), wide receiver Darren Laughlin (8
catches, 137 yards, 3 touchdowns), tight end Jon McKinney (10
catches, 156 yards) |
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NEXT WEEK |
West Shamokin hosts Meadville Friday
Union is at Karns City Friday |
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A-C Valley (0-6 overall, 0-5 KSAC) at Keystone
(4-2, 4-2) |
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WHERE |
Knox |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
A-C Valley lost to Karns City 48-0
Keystone beat East Juniata 53-14 |
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GAME STORY |
- A-C Valley has not won in 11 games last winning 57-28 over
Union Sept. 21, 2001. The Falcons have also gone just 2-19 since
starting the 2000 season 3-0. A-C Valley’s offense is the
worst in District 9 having scored just 26 points with all of
those points coming in two games. They have been shutout four
times this season.
- After starting out 2-2, the Panthers have won two straight and
still have shot at the District 9 Class A playoffs, although
they will need some help. Keystone’s offense has been
explosive averaging 25.5 ppg and scoring 28 or more points in
four of its six games. This is Keystone’s final home game and
the Panthers only home game in the final five weeks of the
season after starting the season with three of four at home.
|
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A-C VALLEY LEADERS |
Running backs Brad Hurrelbrink (228 yards, 1 touchdown) &
Zack Heeter (148 yards), quarterback Corey Clawson (191 yards
rushing, 2 touchdowns; 145 yards passing, 4 interceptions) |
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KEYSTONE LEADERS |
Quarterbacks Buck Neely (31-for-72 passing, 562 yards, 8
touchdowns, 3 interceptions; 48 rushes, 263 yards) & Billy
Colwell (10-for-25 passing for 125 yards, 4 touchdowns; 48 rushes,
227 yards, 4 touchdowns), wide receiver Bobby Telesz (17 catches for
425 yards, 6 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
A-C Valley hosts Clarion Friday
Keystone is at Redbank Valley Friday |
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Moniteau (3-3 overall, 3-3 KSAC) at Clarion (2-4,
1-3) |
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WHERE |
Clarion |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Moniteau lost to Redbank Valley 33-20
Clarion lost to West Shamokin 8-6 |
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GAME STORY |
- Moniteau has struggled on offense all season long scoring just
eight of their 14 touchdowns on offense while managing just 96
points (16 ppg). The Warriors have been potent in the return
game returning three kicks for touchdowns, all by Pat Rumbaugh.
- Clarion suffered its third straight loss last week losing for
the first time since 1993 to West Shamokin (when it was Shannock
Valley). The Bobcats have struggled scoring just 76 points this
season with 20 of the points coming on defense or special teams.
Clarion lost both running back Dave Larson and fullback Ambrogio
Giambanco during the West Shamokin game. Status on either player
for this week is still up in the air.
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MONITEAU LEADERS |
Running back Steve Saul (74 carries, 283 yards, 3 touchdowns),
wide receiver Pat Rumbaugh (12 catches, 161 yards; 3 kicks returned
for touchdowns), quarterback Clay Kohlmeyer (32-for-91 passing, 395
yards, 2 touchdowns, 8 interceptions) |
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CLARION LEADERS |
Quarterback Jamie Arner (31-for-78 passing for 393 yards, 3
touchdowns, 10 interceptions), Larson (8 carries, 341 yards, 1
touchdown), wing back Jason Reed (148 yards rushing, 229 yards
receiving, 1 touchdown), wide receiver Will Lewis (13 catches, 125
yards, 2 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Moniteau is at Clarion-Limestone Friday
Clarion is at A-C Valley Friday |
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NON-CONFERENCE |
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Oil City (4-2) at Brookville (4-2) |
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WHERE |
Brookville |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Oil City lost to Titusville 26-8
Brookville lost to Bradford 33-27 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Oil City is from District 10. The Oilers are a predominately
rushing teams that relies on the ground and a strong defense to
win games.
- Brookville saw its 4-game win streak snapped by Bradford last
week, but the Raiders are happy to be at home where they have
won both of their games this year and three straight dating back
to the end of last year.
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OIL CITY LEADERS |
Running back Corey Schwab (101 carries for 524 yards, 3
touchdowns), Running back Jamail Jackson (41 carries for 288 yards,
7 touchdowns while scoring in all six games), Quarterback Cody O’Brien
(20-for-75 passing for 229 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions),
wide receiver Joe Sundo (6 catches for 46 yards) |
|
BROOKVILLE LEADER |
Quarterback Cole Cook (top passer in District 9 – 69-for-122
for 926 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions), wide receiver Corey
Santoriello (28 catches, 431 yards, 5 touchdowns), running backs
Bill Morrison (289 yards, 6 touchdowns) & Matt Gilbert (351
yards, 4 touchdowns) |
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NEXT WEEK |
Oil City hosts DuBois Friday
Brookville hosts Punxsutawney Friday |
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Bald Eagle Area (1-5) at Clearfield (4-2) |
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WHERE |
Clearfield |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Bald Eagle Area lost to Huntingdon 50-19
Clearfield beat Philipsburg-Osceola 48-21 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Since a Week One win over Milton the Eagles have dropped five
straight. The last four weeks they have been outscored by an
average of 48.75-19.25 and have yet to hold an opponent to less
than 19 points in a game.
- After starting the season a disappointing 1-2, Clearfield has
rolled off three straight wins. The Bisons offense has been the
main reason averaging 45 ppg during the winning streak. In fact
in all four of Clearfield’s wins the Bisons have scored over
40 points while in the two losses they did not reach 20.
|
|
CLEARFIELD LEADERS |
Running back Dave Richards (Top rusher in District 9 – 136
carries, 1,144 yards, 16 touchdowns; 20 total touchdowns; 214 yards
receiving), quarterback Michael Sayers (47-for-90, 610 yards, 3
touchdowns, 2 interceptions) |
|
NEXT WEEK |
Bald Eagle Area hosts Philipsburg-Osceola Friday
Clearfield hosts St. Marys Friday |
|
Central Mountain (2-4) at Karns City (5-1) |
|
WHERE |
Karns City |
|
WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Central Mountain lost to Altoona 34-7
Karns City beat A-C Valley 48-0 |
|
GAME STORY |
- This is the third in a string of four tough games in a row for
Central Mountain which lost to Williamsport Sept. 27 and Altoona
last week. Next week it travels to State College. The Wildcats
only other venture into District 9 this season saw them beat
DuBois (0-6) 27-7 in Week One. Since that game Central Mountain
has been outscored 187-82 with its only win coming over Hershey
(2-4).
- After getting blown out in Week One by Clarion-Limestone,
Karns City has rolled off five straight wins including four that
saw the Gremlins scored 30 or more points. After struggling on
defense in the first four weeks, Karns City has limited its
opponents to just six points the past two weeks.
|
|
C. MOUNTAIN LEADERS
|
Jeremy Johnson (77 carries, 459 yards, 5 touchdowns), Josh Worden
(73 carries, 359 yards, 3 touchdowns), Sean Hanna (41-for-92 passing
for 736 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions), Justin Wilson (19
receptions, 463 yards, 4 touchdowns), Stephen Pribble (16 catches,
205 yards, 1 touchdown) |
|
KARNS CITY LEADERS |
Running back Matt Carnahan (94 carries, 768 yards, 15 touchdowns
– all but 10 yards and all TD’s have come since Week 2),
quarterback Erik Fuhrer (50-for-91 passing, 670 yards, 3 touchdowns,
3 interceptions), wide receivers Noll Steiner (19 catches, 229
yards, 2 touchdowns) & Nate Wilson (11 catches, 236 yards, 1
touchdown) |
|
NEXT WEEK |
Central Mountain is at State College Friday
Karns City hosts Union Friday |
|