AML-NORTH FIRST PLACE ON THE LINE WHEN COUDERSPORT TAKES ON PORT ALLEGANY

Coudersport (3-0 overall, 3-0 AML North) at Port Allegany (3-0, 3-0)

Week Four - 1:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 20

PORT ALLEGANY – First place in the AML North is on the line Saturday in Port Allegany when the conference’s lone remaining unbeaten teams Coudersport and Port Allegany beat in a 1:30 p.m. contest.

The Falcons (3-0 overall, 3-0 AML North) might be the surprise of the two after graduating a host of players from last season’s AML North title team. Port Allegany (3-0, 3-0), meanwhile, was picked by many to win the AML North after returning a core of players from a team that won its last five games a season ago after starting 1-3.

Coudersport was the last team to beat Port Allegany knocking off the Gators 39-0 Sept. 20, 2002, in Coudersport. Since graduated Zach Hershey had three touchdowns in that game to lead the Falcons.

This season, Coudersport is 3-0 thanks to a stingy defense that has allowed six points in three games and has posted back-to-back shutouts. The Falcon "D" has not allowed a touchdown since the opening minutes of the season open, a 7-6 win over Cameron County. Since then they have gone 11 quarters and a total of 136 minutes and five seconds without allowing a point. The defense is allowing an average of just 218.3 yards per game including 133.7 on the ground and 84.6 through the air. In the last two weeks, the Falcon defense is allowing an average of 159.5 yards per game including just 116 on the ground.

Leading the way on the Coudersport defense are head coach Paul Simcoe’s son, Ross, with a team high 44 tackles while also forcing a fumble, Jeremiah Wagner with 21 tackles and an interception, Todd Brown with 15 tackles, a forced fumble and three interceptions and Brad Austin with 27 tackles and an interception.

On offense, Coudersport struggled the first two weeks combining to score just 17 points. But last week the Falcons flew high putting up 28 on a Curwensville defense that had allowed just 22 points in two weeks. Overall, the Coudersport offense ranks 17 in average offensive yards per game with 229.7. The Falcons are averaging 127.3 yards per contest on the ground and 102.3 yards per game in the air.

Simcoe is the leading rusher for the Falcons having toted the ball 41 times for 158 yards (3.9 per carry) and four touchdowns. Jeremiah Wagner (15 carries, 65 yards) and Brad Austin (15 carries, 91 yards) will also carry the fall for Coudersport.

Coudersport’s passing attack is in the hands of first-year starter Scott Easton who is 13-for-34 passing for 261 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Easton’s main target is Mike Kehr who has seven catches for 163 yards.

Port Allegany has used a combination of an explosive offense and a stubborn defense to forge its 3-0 mark. The Gators have outscored their opponents 92-33 this season, and they are coming off a 33-7 win over Smethport in a game in which they didn’t allow a defensive touchdown.

The Gator defense is allowing an average of 145 yards per game including just 109 on the ground and 36 in the air.

Head coach Bob Haskins’ son, Claude, leads the Port Allegany defense with 29 tackles and 1 ½ sacks. Fran Ludwig has 15 ½ tackles, a ½ sack and one fumble recovery, while Jeremy Tanner has 15 tackles, 1 ½ sacks and a fumble recovery. Chad Glasgow is chipping in 14 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Mark Willcox has nine tackles and three sacks. Willie Bova and Craig Flint each have an interception for the Gators.

On offense, Port Allegany has an explosive attack that ranks second in District 9 in total yards per game average (368.7) and second in District 9 in average rushing yards per game (276.3). The Gators are also averaging 92.3 passing yard per contest.

Haskins is the leading rusher for both Port Allegany and District 9 having rushed 80 times for 479 yards (6.0 yards per carry) and six touchdowns. He has also caught five passes for a team-high 104 and a score. His seven total offensive touchdowns leads the district in that category. Last week against Smethport he rushed 33 times for 230 yards and two scores.

The Gators aren’t a one-man team, though. Bobby Nichols has added 35 carries for 179 yards and four touchdowns, while Jeremy Tanner has carried the ball 14 times for 138 yards and a score. Last week Nichols broke the century mark in rushing gaining 129 yards on 18 carries while scoring three touchdowns.

On the passing side, Port Allegany has run two quarterbacks out this year in Flint and Bova. Flint has had marginally more success going 7-for-19 for 140 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Bova hasn’t been far behind going 5-for-15 for 107 yards a touchdown and two interceptions, both coming last week.

In addition to Haskins, Jeremy Niece has caught three passes for 93 yards and a score.

Next week Coudersport will host Smethport while Port Allegany is at Otto-Eldred.