By Jeff Say

KANE – Defense was the name of the game in the District 9 football semi-finals Nov. 2 as the Kane Wolves defeated Coudersport 7-6 to advance to the district finals for the first time in school history.

"Last week our offense kind of dominated the football game," Kane head coach Rick Bouch said. "This week was a turn of events. I think the conditions had a lot to do with that. We stepped up when we had to."

Last week Kane defeated Coudersport 35-19 in Allegheny Mountain League championship game but the semi-final match up was anything but an offensive game.

The field at Paul R. Miller Memorial Stadium was covered with several inches of snow making the offense non existent.

"I think it affected us passing the ball more than it did running the ball," Bouch said. "Just trying to throw the ball down the field was tough. It wasn’t that Tyler (Smith) couldn’t get the ball down field but it was tough to catch. The ball was slippery and wet and it was tough to catch."

Kane’s offense was able to plow through the snow on its first drive to score the Wolves only touchdown of the game.

Senior Matt Burton started the drive with a 1-yard run to Kane’s own 23-yard line.

Senior quarterback Tyler Smith followed with a 7-yard run and on third down fired a 10-yard strike to Burton for a first down.

Burton carried the ball three times for 12 yards setting up a first down at Coudersport’s 48-yard line.

Burton carried the ball on first down for a 2-yard gain down to the Falcon’s 46-yard line.

Smith followed with a 5-yard run setting up third down at the 41-yard line.

Smith’s pass fell incomplete but the Wolves opted to go for it on fourth down.

Smith barked a hard cadence drawing Coudersport offside and keeping the drive alive.

Two plays later Smith ran in from 28-yards out for the Wolves only score of the game.

Jared Cecchetti kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Kane lead.

Coudersport cut the lead to 7-6 with 2:15 left in the first half on a 3-yard run by Zach Hershey.

The point after attempt failed giving Kane the lead.

Neither team had much of an opportunity to score in the second half but the Falcons had one last chance late in the fourth quarter.

Coudersport took over at its own 24-yard line and quickly moved to the 41-yard line on a 17-yard pass from Ben Cary to Jarrett Levasseur.

Cary’s next two passes fell incomplete setting up third-and-10 from the 41.

On third down Cary was flushed out of the pocket by Jared Cecchetti and sacked.

Coudersport had one more chance but again Kane’s defense came up big.

Cary was rushed by senior Mike Jamerson and sacked by Rob Christian to end the game.

Kane moves on to face Clarion-Limestone in the District IX finals at a time and date to be announced.

Rushing – Coudersport: Ryan Mitchell 29-86 1 td, Zach Pucci 5-18, Ross Simcoe 5-6, Ben Cary 3-(-13). Kane: Tyler Smith 12-49, Matt Burton 19-27, Mike Jamerson 2-8, Steve Chittester 4-24.

Passing – Coudersport: Ben Cary 4-for-17, 99 yards, 2 interceptions, Jarrett Levavasseur 0-1. Kane: Tyler Smith 4-for-10, 22 yards.