District 9 Class A Playoff Home

BROCKWAY – Second-seeded Kane (9-1) and top-seeded Clarion-Limestone (10-0) will meet for the District 9 Class A championship at 7 p.m. Saturday in Brockway.

The Wolves, the winners of both the AML South and the AML, are making their first appearance in the title game, while C-L is making its fifth trip to the championship game but its first since it lost the 1998 title to Smethport 28-14. C-L won the title in 1993 (33-6 over Ridgway) and 1990 (21-14 over Clarion) and lost title games in 1991 (40-14 to Smethport) and 1992 (14-0 to Smethport).

And just as the number of trips to the D9 Class A title game speaks for the playoff success of the two programs so does the fact that this is only the second time since District 9 started a playoff tournament in 1987 that Kane has been to the postseason but it is the 10^th time in those 16 years that C-L has played in the playoffs.

The two teams also took very different routes to the playoffs this season.

Last year Kane was 1-8 and not much was expected of the Wolves. But they started the season 5-0 and despite a loss to Curwensville in Week Six have had a very consistent season.

"Kane’s football success through the years has been limited," first-year Kane head coach Rick Bouch said. "In 1962 we went 8-0, the school’s only unbeaten season. In 1983 after a season-opening loss to Ridgway we ran off eight straight to finish 8-1. But nothing like this season has ever occurred here. I’m sure many people were in disbelief when I took the job and said ‘We are going to play for championships here in Kane.’ Well, now we’re playing for another one. The community has played a big role in our success. Plus, we all know the troubles of our small, rural communities in Pennsylvania. This gives our town something to rally around, and it has."

While not many people saw Kane reaching the District 9 title game, C-L coming off back-to-back playoff appearances was one of the preseason favorites to be in this game.

"I don’t think there is extra pressure on us," C-L first-year head coach John Kundick said. "It is just another game, an important game the kids know, but I don’t think the pressure is there."

Kane got to the title game with a 7-6 win over Coudersport last Saturday, while Clarion-Limestone defeated Ridgway 21-19.

Not only where the games these teams played last week similar, so are the makeups of the teams.

Both teams have decent size but not large offensive lines. Both teams have tough defenses. Both teams have offense that can either run or pass the ball. And both teams have excellent quarterbacks.

On offense, Kane averages 27.1 ppg while C-L averages 39.9 ppg. On defense, the Wolves are allowing 11.7 ppg and the Lions allow 6.9 ppg.

As a team Kane has rushed for 1,553 yards and 26 touchdowns while throwing for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns. Clarion-Limestone has rushed for 2,749 yards and 41 touchdowns while throwing for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Kane has probably had the tougher road to the title game, as the teams they have played have a combined record of 52-44 while the teams C-L has played this year have combined to go 42-43. Kane has also been in a lot tighter of ball games. Five of the Wolves 10 games have been decided by two scores of less and three more have been decided by three scores or less. On the other hand, only two of C-L’s game have been decided by two scores or less, and the Lions won the other eight by an average of 40.1 ppg.

Those stats combined with the fact that C-L has not faced a tough test on the road or a neutral site while Kane has would seem to favor Kane if the football game is a close one.

"I don’t know that its (playing in close games) an advantage," Kane head coach Rick Bouch said. "But it sure helps when you have been in a familiar situation. We have had to travel and win big games against quality football teams. C-L may not have faced a similar situation but they still have had to line up and defeat each one of their opponents. They have done that."

Kundick doesn’t think either team has a field advantage in the game.

"I don’t believe in homefield advantage," Kundick said. "I don’t think the field has a lot to do with anything. We went to Karns City in the first game (of the season) and played all right. I don’t think the kid think about it home or away."

As the team stats would indicate, Kane’s offense is a balanced one.

Signal caller Tyler Smith, a three-year starter, leads the Wolves. Smith has completed 60.4 percent (96-of-159) of his passes this season for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also thrown six interceptions. Smith is nearly as good with his legs as he is with his arm rushing 96 times for 329 yards and eight touchdowns. He scored the lone touchdown in the semifinal win over Coudersport on a run.

Smith’s favorite targets include Hugh Rich (31 catches, 329 yards, 2 touchdowns), Tim Smith (20 catches, 254 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Mike Jamerson (16 catches, 148 yards, 1 touchdowns).

Jamerson, a physical runner, was the lead back for the Wolves through most of the season gaining 399 yards and scoring eight touchdowns, but because of an injury he has vacated the running back spot. Matt Burton, more of a scat back, has taken over for Jamerson and has done a remarkable job. Burton has rushed 90- times for 452 yards and six touchdowns.

"We will continue our multiple philosophy on offense," Bouch said. "We understand we need to run the football, and we have shown we can – and against some pretty good defenses. We will try to stretch the field as we always do.

"We are comfortable doing what it takes to move the football and score. We are a balanced offense with a very good offensive line that permits us to run the ball and protect the passer. Also our experience at the skill positions allows us to do a lot of things on offense. C-L is a great defensive football team. That said, we will need to be able to run the football since that sets up the rest of our offense."

Bouch said his offense is different than the one Ridgway used against C-L last week, but there were some things the Elkers did that could be helpful to the Wolves.

"Ridgway has more of a grind-it-out offense," Bouch said. "Although they did give C-L some different formations which were helpful in our preparation."

Kundick believes his defense has to look no further than its own offense when looking at how to slow down Kane’s offense.

"All we have to do is mirror what we do to stop our own offense," Kundick said. "The offenses are pretty comparable.

"We need to contain their quarterback. He is a big asset for them. He can get outside (the pocket) and he ran either roll out and run or throw the ball. Slowing him down will be a big key to this game."

When Clarion-Limestone has the ball, sophomore Hayden Johnston will be calling the signals. Johnston is a multi-dimensional quarterback a lot like Kane’s Smith. He is 42-for-95 passing for 694 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing five interceptions. He has also run 122 times for 616 yards and eight touchdowns.

"Hayden is one of 11 guys on our offense, but he is an important part of our offense," Kundick said. "The quarterback is just so important. Hayden plays the position well. He can run and throw the ball well, and he can read the defense well. He is a big bonus for our offense."

Johnston isn’t the only weapon for the Lions. Running back Brendan Huwar (147 carries, 830 yards, 22 touchdowns), fullback Ben Brooks (90 carries, 862 yards, 5 touchdowns) and wingback David "Tuffy" Brooks (37 carries, 200 yards, 2 touchdowns) give the Lions a very dangerous running game.

When C-L passes the ball, Brad Beggs (23 catches, 361 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Harley Doane (10 catches, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns) are Johnston’s main targets.

"Defensively, a big key each and every week is preventing your opponent from running the football," Bouch said. "C-L’s rush offense is pretty good. Huwar is a back a lot like our Matt Burton. He is very capable of breaking that big play. But, yes, the key may be shutting down the quarterback Hayden Johnston. He has shown he can run the option and also get to the perimeter in the sprint out/boot passing game."

In a tight ball game like the Class A championship game might be, special teams and turnovers could play a big role.

In the special teams category, both teams have good kickers. The Lions have Rocky Davis, while the Wolves have Jarred Cecchetti.

"Rocky is a great kicker," Bouch said. "That is a big advantage in the kicking game. But we have a pretty good one as well in Jarred Cecchetti. C-L probably has more experience in the field-goal phase of the game. We have only attempted one all season. But where Jarred helps us is in field position after kickoffs. He has eight touchbacks this season, and we have had several games where our opponent’s average starting positions for the game has been inside their 20."

Kundick says the Lions work on special teams each week.

"Our guys know how important it is," Kundick said. "We have seen how important it is the last few weeks. The kids have come through when we have needed it."

As for the turnover battle, both coaches see it has being an important part of the game.

"Both us and C-L had similar games last week," Bouch said. "And the teams that made fewer mistakes won. C-L made its PATs, Ridgway didn’t. We made out PAT, Coudy didn’t. Ridgway fumbled at the end of the first half setting up a C-L score. Mike Sivak intercepted (Ben) Cary twice in the second half. So minimizing mistakes is of utmost importance especially in a game of this magnitude."

"In every game, especially these ones that are big, you try to minimize you own mistakes and maximize the opponents," Kundick said. "But you can never count on turnovers. You practice being in the right spot, but you just never know when a fumble might happen. When it does happen, you have to get them. In a game like this minimizing the mistakes is a bonus for both teams. What ever happens on the field makes the difference."