DUBOIS — It's the second time around for Clearfield and Punxsutawney as the football teams tangle once again in the District 9 Class AAA Championship game Friday night at E.J. Mansell Stadium in DuBois.

The teams met back on Sept. 20 in the fourth game of the season. For Clearfield, its 42-0 rout marked a turnaround after the Bisons started the season 1-2. The rout of the Chucks was the beginning of a six-game winning streak.

For Punxsutawney, it was the team's first loss. The Chucks cruised into their game with the Bisons with a 3-0 record. Since the loss to the Bisons, Punxsutawney has gone 3-4.

Still, the Chucks rebounded from a two-game losing streak to knock off defending champion Bradford last week, 21-14. It was the Chucks' first playoff win since their D-9 Class AAAA title in 1991.

What's in store this time around? For Punxsutawney, the mission is clear: Shut down Clearfield's Dave Richards.

In the first meeting, Richards galloped for 225 yards on 23 carries and scored four touchdowns. Richards had 185 yards rushing by halftime as the Bisons led 28-0.

Richards could catch some significant milestones Friday. With 1,979 yards rushing, Richards needs only 21 yards to reach 2,000. That could only take a few carries if his season average holds up. Richards averages 10.2 yards per rushing attempt.

With 69 career touchdowns, Richards needs four scores to tie the District 9 record held by Kyle Cathcart of Clarion. This year, Richards has 31 touchdowns and 192 points.

The Chucks shouldn't totally focus their effort on Richards, however. Sophomore fullback Josh Harbold has rushed for 570 yards and six touchdowns, including 104 yards and a touchdown against the Chucks. Harbold rushed for 253 yards and four touchdowns in the Bisons' last game two weeks ago against Clearfield.

Bisons quarterback Michael Sayers is capable as well, throwing for 706 yards and five touchdowns. His top receivers are Richards (214 yards) and Todd Shaw (198 yards, 2 TDs).

Punxsutawney has some weapons, too. Senior quarterback Joe Martin has put together probably the best season in District 9 with 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's completed 53.4 percent of his passes and has rushed for 274 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior running back Dustin Guidash had a huge game against the Owls, rushing for 243 yards and two touchdowns and catching four passes for 54 yards.

Guidash has some of the best balanced offensive numbers in the district, rushing for 764 yards and seven touchdowns and leading the team with 511 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Running back Zach Bernat (352 yards, 3 TDs) and receivers Kyle Barilar (473 yards, 4 TDs) and Andy Snyder (368 yards, 3 TDs) are other key Chucks offensively.

Clearfield and Punxsutawney last met in the District 9 playoffs in 1994 when the Chad Kroell-led Bisons beat the Chucks, 33-10.

Clearfield, playing in its fifth straight D-9 Class AAA title game, is trying to win its first since back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999. The Bisons lost to Bradford in the finals the last two seasons. Overall, Clearfield has won three district titles.

Punxsutawney's only title came in 1991 when it beat DuBois, 28-7, in the Class AAAA final.