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By Chris Rossetti
KANE – Well the two-third point of the 2002 football
season is here, and the playoff races are starting to heat up.
The most interesting race, not surprisingly, is in
Class A where eight teams are still very much in contention for four
spots. The biggest bunch comes from the AML South where three teams stand
at 3-2 and are all probably tittering on the brink of playoff elimination.
In most years a team with three loses won’t reach the District 9 Class A
playoffs, although, as this season has shown, this is not ordinary year.
Still, a team with three loses is still going to be hard pressed to
qualify for the playoffs. A brief overview of how the Class A playoff
teams are determined include the top AML team, which will be the AML
Champion if the champ is a Class A team or the team with the best record
in the AML through the first eight weeks, the top team in the KSAC based
on KSAC record, two wild cards which can come from either the KSAC or the
AML. The records used to determine the wild card teams are the first eight
games for the AML teams and the eight conference games for the KSAC teams.
If more than two teams have the same record then the Gardner Point System
is used to break the tie.
The eight Class A teams that are battling for the four
spots include Coudersport (4-1), Kane (5-0), Curwensville (3-2), Cameron
County (3-2), Ridgway (3-2), Clarion-Limestone (5-0, 4-0 KSAC), Redbank
Valley (4-1, 3-1 KSAC) and Keystone (3-2, 3-2 KSAC).
The eight teams, though, could easily be cut down this
week with a couple of big games in the AML South that are the featured
games of the week.
The first game is in Kane where the Wolves put there
unbeaten record on the line against Curwensville, who has been in the past
two District 9 Class A title games.
The second game is in Brockway where Cameron County
needs a win against Class AA Brockway (3-2) if it wants to keep its
playoff hopes alive. That game also has playoff implications for Brockway,
who has lost two straight after staring the season 3-0.
More information on these games can be found by
clicking on the games below.
While only five teams are competing in Class AA for the
four playoff spots, there are still some interesting story line
developing.
Karns City, the three-time defending Class AA
champions, and Brookville share the best record in Class AA at 4-1.
Brockway and Moniteau are right on their heels at 3-2 with Otto-Eldred out
of the picture at 0-5. So while the four teams could be set (in most
school district’s the school board requires the team to have a .500
record if it wants to play in the playoffs), the battle for home-field
advantage is still very much on-going. The criteria for home-field
advantage are based on head-to-head competition and then the District 9
Power Rating system.
In Class AAA there are five teams with four playoff
sports, although once again a lot of school boards require schools to be
.500 or above.
Right now two teams are above .500: Punxsutawney (3-2)
and Clearfield (3-2). Bradford and St. Marys are both 1-4 while A-C Valley
is 0-5. Once again the seeding criteria for the playoffs is based on
head-to-head competition and then the District 9 Power Rating system.
DuBois (0-5) is the lone Class AAAA team, and if the
Beavers were to make the playoffs it would be in District 10.
The Class A playoffs will begin Nov. 1-2, while in
Class AA and Class AAA the playoffs will begin Nov. 1 if there are three
or four teams or Nov. 8-9 if there are two teams.
In addition to our two featured, there are 14 other
games in the District this week. For information on those games, please
view the capsule previews located beneath the two game-of-the-week links.
FRIDAY OCT. 4
FEATURED GAMES (Click on the games to see the previews)
CURWENSVILLE (3-2 overall, 3-2 AML South) at KANE (5-0,
5-0) 7:30 p.m.
CAMERON COUNTY (3-2 overall, 3-2 AML South) at BROCKWAY
(3-2, 3-2) 7:30 p.m.
GAME CAPSULES -- Listed Alphabetically by Conference
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AML NORTH |
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Coudersport (4-1 overall, 4-1 AML North) at
Otto-Eldred (0-5, 0-5) |
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WHERE |
Duke Center |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Coudersport beat Smethport 20-7
Otto-Eldred lost to Port Allegany 54-12 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Coudersport right now would make the D9 Class A playoffs if
they win out. The Falcons offense has been explosive averaging
25.2 points per game while the defense has allowed 9.2 ppg
- Otto-Eldred is looking to break a 24-game losing streak. The
Terrors have struggled on both sides of the ball allowing 40 ppg
including 50 or more in the past two weeks while on offense they
average 10 ppg.
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COUDERSPORT LEADERS |
Quarterback Ben Cary (34-for-84, 584 yards, 6 touchdowns, 4
interceptions), running back Zack Hershey (6 touchdowns) |
|
OTTO-ELDRED LEADERS |
Wide receiver Joey Drake (Stats missing 2 games – 16
catches, 277 yards, 2 touchdowns) |
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Smethport (2-3 overall, 2-3 AML North) at
Eisenhower (4-1, 4-1) |
|
WHERE |
Russell |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Smethport lost to Coudersport 20-7
Eisenhower beat Youngsville 36-0 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Smethport is trying to avoid its first four-loss season since
it went 5-4 in 1986. The Hubbers are scoring 43.5 ppg in their
wins but only 12.7 in their losses.
- Eisenhower knows if it wins out it is the AML North champion
and will play in the AML Title game with a good shot at the
District 10 playoffs. The Knights success has been based on a
solid defense that has allowed the third fewest points in
District 9 leagues this season (49 – 9.8 ppg)
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SMETHPORT LEADERS |
Quarterback Mike Mitchell (69 rushes, 412 yards, 8 touchdowns;
10-for-36 passing, 112 yards), running back Andy Rounsville (159
yards, 1 touchdown), running back Ben Rothermel (142 yards, 3
touchdowns) |
|
EISENHOWER LEADERS |
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 (2-3 overall, 2-3 AML North) at
Sheffield (2-3, 2-3) |
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WHERE |
Sheffield |
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WHEN |
1:30 p.m. Saturday |
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LAST WEEK |
Port Allegany beat Otto-Eldred 54-12
Sheffield lost to Johnsonburg 20-0 |
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GAME STORY |
- Port Allegany is trying to win back-to-back games for the
first time since Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2000
- Sheffield will probably be without star quarterback Nik
Obenrader who left last week’s gam early with a leg injury.
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P. ALLEGANY LEADERS |
Running back Adam Rohrer (451 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns),
running back Claude Haskins (224 yards rushing, 1 touchdown; 13
catches, 120 yards), Quarterback Craig Flint (29-for-66, 463 yards,
5 touchdowns), wide receiver Jeremy Niece (191 yards receiving, 2
touchdowns) |
|
SHEFFIELD LEADERS |
Obenrader (33-for-80, 637 yards, 7 touchdowns), wide receiver
Robin Copley (8 catches, 226 yards, 3 touchdowns), Running back
Jimmy Mosher (138 yards) |
|
AML SOUTH |
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Elk County Catholic (1-4 overall, 1-4 AML South)
at Johnsonburg (1-4, 1-4) |
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WHERE |
Johnsonburg |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Elk County Catholic lost to Ridgway 35-15
Johnsonburg beat Sheffield 20-0 |
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GAME STORY |
- ECC has lost 4 straight games since beating Smethport in Week
One. The Crusaders have struggled on offense averaging just 8.4
ppg and have been shutout twice.
- Johnsonburg got broke a nine-game losing streak dating back to
last season with the win last week. The Rams have allowed 30 or
more points three times this season
|
|
ELK CO. CATH. LEADERS |
Running backs Ted Cherry (403 yards, 2 touchdowns) & Shane
Funair (220 yards, 1 touchdown), quarterback Bob Pearsall
(27-for-66, 258 yards, 1 touchdown, 8 interceptions), wide out Matt
Eckert (13 catches, 101 yards) |
|
JOHNSONBURG LEADERS |
Quarterback Greg Wonderly (38-for-105, 566 yards, 3 touchdowns,
10 interceptions), receivers Eric Iorfido (13 catches, 243 yards, 1
touchdown), Jeremy Polaski (12 catches, 109 yards, 1 touchdown),
& Dan Zeigler (7 catches, 123 yards, 1 touchdown), running backs
Quentin Shreffler (197 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Don Wenner (128
yards, 1 touchdown) |
|
AML CROSSOVER |
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YOUNGSVILLE (2-3 overall, 2-3 AML North) at
Ridgway (3-2, 3-2) |
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WHERE |
Ridgway |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Youngsville lost to Eisenhower 36-0
Ridgway beat Elk County Catholic 35-15 |
|
GAME STORY |
- Youngsville’s two wins have come against Otto-Eldred and
Johnsonburg who are a combined 1-9. The Eagles have struggled to
score averaging 10.8 ppg. Youngsville has had success against
the AML South the past three years going 4-3 in the seven games
since 2000.
- Ridgway has won 2 in a row after starting the season 1-2. The
Elkers know they need to win out if they want a shot at the D9
Class A playoffs. Ridgway’s offense has carried it. The Elkers
are averaging 26 ppg.
|
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YOUNGSVILLE LEADERS |
Quarterback Andy Chase (21-for-71, 367 yards, 5 touchdowns, 9
interceptions), running back/quarterback Jamie Blum (302 yards
rushing, 2 touchdowns; 11 catches, 245 yards, 4 touchdowns;127 yards
passing) |
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RIDGWAY LEADERS |
Running backs Ryan Mitchell (452 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns),
Dave Bundy (320 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns) & Josh Mercer (215
yards rushing, 3 touchdowns), quarterback Andy Kelly 36-for-63
passing, 386 yards, 3 touchdowns;181 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns),
wide receiver Justin Buchler (12 catches, 125 yards, 1 touchdown) |
|
DISTRICT 9 LEAGUE |
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Brookville (4-1 overall, 3-0 D9 League) at
Bradford (1-4, 1-2) |
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WHERE |
Bradford |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Brookville beat Union 40-7
Bradford beat St. Marys 29-21 |
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GAME STORY |
- A Brookville win will clinch at least a share of the D9 League
title for the Raiders & will give them their first winning
season since they went 7-4 in 1999. The Raiders have an
explosive offense that is averaging 26.6 ppg including 30 ppg
during their current 4-game winning streak.
- Bradford plays its first home game of the season after
starting the year with 5 straight on the road. The Owls got
their first win of the season last week thanks to a defensive
stand at the end of the game. Bradford has struggled on defense
allowing 31 ppg.
|
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BROOKVILLE LEADERS |
Quarterback Cole Cook (55-for-101, 686 yards, 4 touchdowns; 2
rushing touchdowns); running backs Matt Gilbert (313 yards, 4
touchdowns) & Bill Morrison (244 yards, 5 touchdowns), wide
receivers Corey Santoriello (23 catches, 310 yards, 3 touchdowns)
& Brent Puller (14 catches, 136 yards) |
|
BRADFORD LEADERS |
Running backs Brandon LaBrozzi (260 yards, 2 touchdowns) &
Shawn Colligan (205 yards, 3 touchdowns), quarterback Jake Long (171
yards rushing, 4 touchdowns; 20-for-41 passing, 354 yards, 1
touchdown, 5 interceptions) |
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DuBois (0-5) at St. Marys (1-4) |
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WHERE |
St. Marys |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
DuBois lost to Hollidaysburg 48-8
St. Marys lost to Bradford 28-21 |
|
GAME STORY |
- DuBois is still in search of its first win, and the Beavers
are in jeopardy of having their worst season since 1961 when
they went 1-8-1. The Beavers also need to win out to avoid three
consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1982-84.
DuBois’ problems have been on both sides of the ball where the
young Beavers are averaging just 8 ppg while allowing 38.4 ppg.
DuBois has yet to be within less than three touchdowns at the
end of any game.
- St. Marys has struggled to win the close games this season
losing twice by 7 points and there has only been one game all
season that the Dutch weren’t within a touchdown in the fourth
quarter.
|
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DUBOIS LEADERS |
Running backs Justin Foltz (208 yards rushing) & Vance Newell
(143 yards, 1 touchdown), wide receiver Mark Jones (12 catches, 154
yards, 1 touchdown) |
|
ST. MARYS LEADERS |
Quarterback Brandon Bennett (23-for-56 passing, 262 yards, 3
touchdowns), running back Doug Surra (373 yards rushing, 1
touchdown), wide receiver Lopaka Hoolihil (9 catches, 134 yards, 3
touchdowns). Kicker Tristan Mulcahy has hit seven field goals on the
season with all seven coming in the past three weeks. |
|
KEYSTONE SHORTWAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE |
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Clarion (2-3 overall, 1-3 KSAC) at West Shamokin
(1-4, 1-4) |
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WHERE |
NuMine |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Clarion lost to Clarion-Limestone 44-0
West Shamokin lost to Keystone 28-8 |
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GAME STORY |
- Clarion is coming off its worst loss since 1951 and is trying
to avoid its first 4-loss season since 1998. Until last week the
Bobcats had been stingy on defense allowing only 11.5 ppg in
their first 4 games. Clarion’s offense has struggled this
season scoring just 14.4 ppg the fewest ppg since the 1993 team
averaging 11.1 ppg.
- West Shamokin is looking for its first win ever against
Clarion as West Shamokin (which combined Shannock Valley and
Dayton into one school in 2000). The last time Shannock Valley
beat Clarion was 1993 (20-19). The Wolves are struggling on
offense averaging 11.8 ppg while allowing 26.2 ppg.
|
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COUDERSPORT LEADERS |
Quarterback Ben Cary (34-for-84, 584 yards, 6 touchdowns, 4
interceptions), running back Zack Hershey (6 touchdowns) |
|
OTTO-ELDRED LEADERS |
Wide receiver Joey Drake (Stats missing 2 games – 16
catches, 277 yards, 2 touchdowns) |
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Karns City (4-1 overall, 4-1 KSAC) at A-C Valley
(0-5, 0-4) |
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WHERE |
Foxburg |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Karns City beat Moniteau 33-6
Union lost to Brookville 40-7 |
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GAME STORY |
- Karns City can wrap-up its 7th consecutive
non-losing season with a win. The Gremlins have been very strong
on offense since scoring only six points in an opening-season
loss to C-L. Since then Karns City is averaging 34.75 ppg. Up
until allowing just six points to Moniteau last week, Karns City’s
defense had allowed 28.5 ppg.
- A-C Valley is still looking to give head coach Don King his
first win at the school. But it will be a tough road against the
Gremlins. The Falcons offense has been almost non-existent
scoring in only two of the five games and averaging just 5.2
ppg. While the offense has struggled, the defense has been solid
allowing 18 ppg. Dating back to Week Five last season, A-C
Valley has dropped 10 straight games. The Falcons last win was a
57-28 decision over Union Sept. 21, 2001. It is the second
longest winless streak in District 9 behind Otto-Eldred’s
24-game slide.
|
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KARNS CITY LEADERS |
Running back Matt Carnahan (637 yards, 12 touchdowns),
quarterback Erik Fuhrer (45-for-82, 551 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3
rushing touchdowns), wide receivers Noll Steiner (17 catches, 199
yards, 2 touchdowns) & Nate Wilson (147 yards) |
|
A-C VALLEY LEADERS |
Quarterback Corey Clawson (162 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns;
13-for-33 passing, 132 yards), running back Brad Hurrelbrink (163
yards, 1 touchdown – missing one game) |
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Redbank Valley (4-1 overall, 3-1 KSAC) at Moniteau
(3-2, 3-2) |
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WHERE |
West Sunbury |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Redbank Valley beat A-C Valley 26-12
Moniteau lost to Karns City 33-6 |
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GAME STORY |
- Redbank Valley knows if it wins out it will qualify for the
District 9 Class A playoffs. The Bulldogs are hoping not to look
ahead to their big showdown with Clarion-Limestone next week, as
Moniteau offers a formidable foe this week. Redbank Valley has
done its damage with a strong offense that is averaging 26.4
ppg.
- Moniteau will try to rebound from its loss against Karns City
last week. Until that game the Warriors had not allowed more
than 14 points in a game. The offense, on the other hand, has
struggled at times averaging 15.2 ppg. The Warriors probably
need two more wins to make sure their school board allows them
to participate in the District 9 Class AA playoffs.
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REDBANK VLY. LEADERS |
Quarterback Shane Reed (26-for-53, 585 yards, 5 touchdowns),
running back Ron Geist (617 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns), wide
receiver Tyson Truitt (14 catches, 351 yards, 6 touchdowns), wing
back Brandon Johnston (204 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns; 148 yards
rushing) |
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MONITEAU LEADERS |
Running backs Steve Saul (248 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns) &
Ben Elliott (122 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns), quarterback Clay
Kohlmeyer (29-for-79, 375 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 interceptions),
wide receiver Pat Rumbaugh (161 yards receiving) |
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Union (1-4 overall, 1-3 KSAC) at Clarion-Limestone
(5-0, 4-0) |
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WHERE |
Strattanville |
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WHEN |
7:30 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Union lost to Brookville 40-7
Clarion-Limestone beat Clarion 44-0 |
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GAME STORY |
- After allowing only 40 points in weeks two through four, Union
was lit up for 40 points by Brookville last week skewing the
Golden Knights defensive numbers. On offense, Union has
struggled scoring the second fewest points in District 9 (32).
In the last three weeks, the Knights have scored just 10 points.
- Clarion-Limestone is hoping to avoid a let down after handing
archrival Clarion its worst loss ever to the Lions. C-L knows
that the KSAC title and most likely the top seed in the District
9 Class A playoffs is there’s if they win out. They also know
they can still lose a game and be a lock to make the District 9
Class A playoffs. C-L’s offense is the top offense in District
9 averaging 39.4 ppg, while the Lions defense is tops in the
district allowing 5.4 ppg. C-L has posted back-to-back shutouts.
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UNION LEADERS |
Quarterback Adam Milanovich (25-for-60, 328 yards, 2 touchdowns,
8 interceptions), running back Dennis Shay (259 yards rushing; 87
yards receiving), tight end Jon McKinney (129 yards receiving), wide
receiver Darren Laughlin (137 yards receiving, 3 touchdowns) |
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C-L LEADERS |
Quarterback Hayden Johnston (19-for-44, 298 yards, 4 touchdowns;
358 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns), running backs Brendan Huwar (478
yards rushing, 11 touchdowns, 34 yards receiving, 1 touchdown) &
Ben Brooks (409 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns), wide receiver Brad
Beggs (13 catches, 207 yards, 2 touchdowns) |
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NON-CONFERENCE |
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Clearfield (3-2) at Philipsburg-Osceola (1-4) |
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WHERE |
Philipsburg |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
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LAST WEEK |
Clearfield beat Bellefonte 45-13
Philipsburg-Osceola lost to Indian Valley 47-3 (Monday) |
|
GAME STORY |
- Clearfield has rebounded nicely from losses in weeks 2 and 3
with back-to-back wins. The Bisons have outscored their
opponents 87-13 in those two games. On the season, Clearfield is
averaging 32.2 ppg (tied with Kane for the second highest total
in the district) while allowing 20.2 ppg.
- Because of remnants of Hurricane Isodore Friday night
Philipsburg-Osceola’s game with Indian Valley was pushed back
to Monday meaning the Mountaineers are playing on just 3 days
rest and preparation. P-O has allowed 26.6 ppg this season
including 31.5 ppg the past three weeks. The Mountaineers have
lost four straight games since a 7-0 win over Lewistown in Week
One. They lost to Bellefonte 7-0 in Week Two.
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CLEARFIELD LEADERS |
Quarterback Michael Sayers (41-for-78, 560 yards, 3 touchdowns),
running back Dave Richards (102 rushes, 819 yards, 11 touchdowns; 12
catches, 214 yards, 1 touchdown), wide receivers Todd Shaw (11
catches, 107 yards) & Craig Gardner (12 catches, 100 yards) |
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Keystone (3-2) at East Juniata (1-4) |
|
WHERE |
McAlisterville |
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WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Keystone beat West Shamokin 28-8
East Juniata lost to Nativity BVM 32-20 |
|
GAME STORY |
- While this game won’t count in figuring out the playoff
picture in Class A, Keystone needs to get on a roll and win out
if it wants to make the D9 Class A playoffs. The Panthers are
scoring 20 ppg and allowing 22, but if you take out the 48-0
loss to C-L the Panthers are averaging 25 ppg and allowing 15.5
ppg.
- East Juniata has struggled on defense this season allowing
27.4 ppg. Keystone beat the East Juniata 49-6 last season.
Because of a double co-op agreement with Middlesburg and West
Snyder, the Tigers are a Class AAAA team in football.
|
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KEYSTONE LEADERS |
- Quarterbacks Buck Neely (26-for-61, 389 yards, 5 touchdowns;
43 rushes, 248 yards) & Billy Colwell (7-for-21, 81 yards, 2
touchdowns; 170 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns), wide receiver
Bobby Telesz (15 catches, 310 yards, 5 touchdowns)
|
|
Punxsutawney (3-2) at Lewistown (2-3) |
|
WHERE |
Lewistown |
|
WHEN |
7 p.m. Friday |
|
LAST WEEK |
Punxsutawney lost to Warren 35-8
Lewistown beat Juniata 14-8 |
|
GAME STORY |
- After outscoring its opponents 75-7 in starting the season
3-0, Punxsutawney has been outscored 77-8 in dropping its last
two games.
- Lewistown has struggled to score this season averaging only 8
ppg, and they have been shutout twice in the first five weeks.
The Panthers defense is allowing 17.8 ppg.
|
|
PUNXSY LEADERS |
Quarterback Joe Martin (35-for-71 passing, 4 touchdowns), wide
receiver Kyle Barilar (234 yards, 1 touchdown), running back Dustin
Guidash (267 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns; 13 catches, 194 yards) |
|