WEEK ONE PREVIEW STORIES

WEEK FOUR PREVIEW STORIES

Sept. 18-20

Previews complete - 9/18

By Chris Rossetti and Rich Rhoades

SHIPPENVILLE – With the prospects of Hurricane Isabel on the horizon late Thursday into Friday, football games this weekend are all over the map.

As of Thursday afternoon seven games have been moved with Otto-Eldred at Smethport being moved to Thursday night and Brockway at Warren, Ridgway at Johnsonburg, Brockway at Eisenhower, Cameron County at Curwensville, Clearfield at Punxsutawney and Sheffield at Youngsville being moved to Saturday. Other schools are still taking a wait and see approach, but other games could be moved as well.

But if and when there is football this week, there will be a full slate of District 9 teams in action with 16 games on the schedule.

The biggest of those 16 contests is up north along US 6 Saturday when Coudersport makes the trek down the highway to meet Port Allegany. Both teams are 3-0 on the season, and the winner will be in sole possession and in control of its own destiny in the AML North halfway through the season.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Coudersport (3-0 overall, 3-0 AML North) at Port Allegany (3-0, 3-0); 1:30 p.m. Saturday

GAME CAPSULES

AML NORTH
Otto-Eldred (2-1 overall, 2-1 AML North) at Smethport (2-1, 2-1)
WHERE	Smethport
WHEN	Thursday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK	Otto-Eldred beat Youngsville 7-0 Smethport lost to Port Allegany 33-7
NOTABLE	The game was originally scheduled for Friday night but was moved to Thursday on Wednesday because of the possibility of Hurricane Isabel. This is a statement game for both teams. Smethport has a chance to show that it is coming back from last season’s 3-6 record, while Otto-Eldred has a chance to show that it has arrived after ending a 27-game losing streak at the end of last year.
OTTO-ELDRED LEADERS	RB Virgil Graham (58 carries, 308 yards, 2 TDs – 5^th leading rusher in D9); QB Luke Breese (11 carries, 117 yards, 3 TDs; 21-for-42 passing, 1 TD, 3 Ints – Missing 1 week from passing).
SMETHPORT LEADERS	RB Mike Mitchell (45 carries, 217 yards, 1 TD)
NEXT WEEK	Otto-Eldred hosts Port Allegany Friday Smethport is at Coudersport Friday
AML NORTH
Sheffield (1-2 overall, 1-2 AML North) at Youngsville (1-2, 1-2)
WHERE	Youngsville
WHEN	Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK	Sheffield beat Eisenhower 13-6 Youngsville lost to Otto-Eldred 7-0
NOTABLE	Since 1986 these two teams have met 17 times with Sheffield holding a slim 9-8 lead. The Wolverines won last year 21-7 and have taken 7 of the past 8 meetings. Youngsville’s last win in the series came in 1998 35-14). For more information on the series between the two teams click here.
SHEFFIELD LEADERS	RB Jimmy Moser (2 TD’s in last week’s win)
YOUNGSVILLE LEADERS	RB Rob Therut (35 carries, 226 yards, 1 TD); RB Nathaniel Williams (50 carries, 193 yards)
NEXT WEEK	Sheffield hosts Johnsonburg Saturday Youngsville is at Eisenhower Friday
KSAC
Clarion (3-0 overall, 2-0 KSAC) at Union (0-3, 0-3)
WHERE	Rimersburg
WHEN	7 p.m. Friday
LAST WEEK	Clarion beat Redbank Valley 22-6 Union lost to Moniteau 68-7
NOTABLE	Clarion head coach Larry Wiser is looking for his 100^th career win. Wiser is 99-50-1 in his 16^th year at Clarion. The Bobcats are also looking to go 4-0 for the first time since the 2000 season. Union has been outscored 153-7 this season. The game marks the return to Union of two Golden Knights who are now starting for Clarion in RB James Myers and QB Zac Toven, although Myers was hurt late last week and probably will not play
CLARION LEADERS	RB James Myers (32 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs), RB Dave Larson (43 carries, 176 yards, 2 TDs); FB Chris McSwain (26 carries, 134 yards), QB Zac Toven (23 carries, 38 yards, 3 TDs; 6-for-9 passing, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT).
UNION LEADERS	RB Jeremy Craig (25 carries, 99 yards; 12 catches, 76 yards), QB Adam Milanovich (25-for-55 passing, 178 yards, 1 TD, 4 Ints)
NEXT WEEK	Clarion is at Karns City Friday Union is at A-C Valley Friday
West Shamokin (1-2 overall, 1-2 KSAC) at Clarion-Limestone (3-0, 2-0)
WHERE	Strattanville
WHEN	7:30 p.m., Friday
LAST WEEK	West Shamokin beat A-C Valley 38-34 Clarion-Limestone beat St. Marys 35-0
NOTABLE	The real game story is West Shamokin’s offense against C-L’s defense. C-L has allowed just seven points all season while throwing two shutouts, while West Shamokin has scored 72 points, all of which have come in the last two weeks. The Wolves offense is led by the top passer in District 9 Trevor Henderson, last week’s D9Sports.Com Player of the Week
WEST SHAMOKIN LEADERS	QB Trevor Henderson (39-for-73 passing, 650 yards, 9 TDs, 4 Ints – Ranks No. 1 in D9; 34 carries, 146 yards, 1 TD), WR Jerry Wilson (13 catches, 290 yards, 6 TDs – Ranks 2^nd in D9 in receiving), WR Logan Kaplon (15 catches, 202 yards, 2 TDs – Ranks 5^th in D9 in receiving).
C-L LEADERS	RB Brendan Huwar (46 carries, 225 yards, 5 TDs), QB Hayden Johnston (16-for-32 passing, 241 yards, 4 TDs, 1 Int; 29 carries, 85 yards), WR Brad Beggs (7 catches, 71 yards, 3 TDs), WB Tuffy Brooks (5 catches, 104 yards).
NEXT WEEK	West Shamokin hosts Moniteau Friday Clarion-Limestone hosts Keystone Friday
Karns City (2-1 overall, 2-1 KSAC) at Redbank Valley (2-1, 2-1)
WHERE	New Bethlehem
WHEN	7 p.m. Friday
LAST WEEK	Karns City beat Keystone 29-12 Redbank Valley lost to Clarion 22-6
NOTABLE	Redbank Valley needs a win to keep its slim Class A playoff hopes alive.
KARNS CITY LEADERS	RB Josh Fiscus (25 carries, 220 yards, 3 TDs), RB Mike Stitt (28 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs), RB Mike Stimac (19 carries, 119 yards, 3 TDs), QB Mike Croyle (21-for37 passing, 248 yards), WR Chris Pickett (6 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD).
REDBANK LEADERS	QB Shane Reed (39-for-71 passing, 532 yards, 7 TDs, 5 Ints – 2^nd leading passer in D9); WR Tyson Truitt (14 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs – 3^rd leading receiver in D9; 2 kicks returned for TDs); WB Brandon Johnston (8 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs), RB Skyler Smith (38 carries, 253 yards, 2 Tds – 8^th leading rusher in D9)
NEXT WEEK	Karns City hosts Clarion Friday Redbank Valley is at Brookville Friday
Moniteau (2-1 overall, 2-0 KSAC) at Keystone (1-2, 1-2)
WHERE	Knox
WHEN	7 p.m. , Friday
LAST WEEK	Moniteau beat Union 68-7 Keystone lost to Karns City 29-12
NOTABLE	Moniteau is looking to continue to hold at least a piece of first place in the KSAC with a win. Keystone is slowly breaking in a new quarterback in Justin Bifano who has been taking more snaps in games for the Panthers.
MONITEAU LEADERS	RB Steve Saul (41 carries, 312 yards, 5 TDs; 7 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD), RB Ryan Rumbaugh (166 yards rushing, 1 TD; returned a punt and a kickoff for TDs last week), QB Clay Kohlmeyer (28-for-50, 404 yards, 4 TDs, 4 Ints), WR Eric Hilliard (6 catches, 125 yards, 3 TDs)
KEYSTONE LEADERS	QB Justin Bifano (16-for-38 passing, 210 yards, 1 TD, 3 Ints); QB/WB Buck Neely (12-for-25 passing, 243 yards, 3 TDs, 2 Ints), RB Sam Swartzfager (51 carries, 292 yards, 2 TDs – 7^th leading rusher in D9; 68 yards receiving, 1 TD), WR Billy Colwell (11 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs; 101 yards rushing).
NEXT WEEK	Moniteau is at West Shamokin Friday Keystone is at Clarion-Limestone Friday
NON-CONFERENCE
A-C Valley (0-3) at Bishop Guilfoyle (3-0)
WHERE	Mansion Park in Altoona
WHEN	2 p.m. Saturday
LAST WEEK	A-C Valley lost 38-34 to West Shamokin Bishop Guilfoyle beat West Branch 40-0
GAME STORY	This game was a late pick up for both teams. A-C Valley was originally scheduled to have the week off, and Bishop Guilfoyle was supposed to play Columbia. Columbia, however, scheduled two games for the same week and had to drop Bishop Guilfoyle. BG, out of District 6, is ranked HM in the state by the Pennsylvania Football News in Class A. BG has allowed just 422 yards in three games and has outscored its opponents 79-14 posting back-to-back shutouts. It is on an 18-game regular season winning streak. A-C Valley is trying to snap a District 9-leading 17-game losing streak.
A-C VALLEY LEADERS	RB Brad Hurrelbrink (18 carries, 65 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD), QB Luiz Goncalzes (15-for-43 passing, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 3 Ints; 38 carries, 64 yards), RB Colt Burk (23 carries, 95 yards; 2 catches, 24 yards), WR Matt Cangemi (7 catches, 99 yards; Returned an INT for a TD last week).
BG LEADERS	RB Matt Georgiana (65 carries, 388 yards, 4 TDs), RB Josh DeStefano (35 carries, 259 yards, 4 TDs). QB Adam Trybus (9-for-17 passing, 138 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 rushing TDs), WR Jonathan Milliron (3 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD)
NEXT WEEK	A-C Valley hosts Union Friday Bishop Guilfoyle is at Huntingdon Friday

DISTRICT 9 LEAGUE
Brookville (3-0 overall, 2-0 D-9 League) at St. Marys (0-3 overall, 0-0 D-9 League)
WHERE	St. Marys
WHEN	1 p.m. Saturday (Postponed from Friday)
LAST WEEK	Brookville 14, DuBois 7 Clarion-Limestone 35, St. Marys 0
GAME STORY	The Raiders will try to make it 4-0 and notch another District 9 League win. Brookville has given up just 118 yards of rushing in three games as it prepares for the run-oriented Flying Dutchmen. St. Marys has been shut out in two of its three losses.
BROOKVILLE LEADERS	RB Ryan Dinger, 24 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD; QB Matt Mohney, 9-for-15, 83 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.; WR Brent Puller, 5 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs.
ST. MARYS LEADERS	RB Brian Cogley, 46 carries, 220 yards, 1 TD and 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD; RB Jeremy Catalone, 25 carries, 195 yards, 1 TD; QB Lopaka Hoohuli, 5-for-13, 75 yards, 1 TD.
NEXT WEEK	St. Marys at Bradford Friday Redbank Valley at Brookville Friday
Clearfield (1-2 overall, 0-2 D-9 League) at Punxsutawney (0-2 overall, 0-2 D-9 League)
WHERE	Punxsutawney
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday (Postponed from Friday)
LAST WEEK	Clearfield 37, Indian Valley 22 Bradford 34, Punxsutawney 0
GAME STORY	Both teams are trying to win their first D-9 League game.
CLEARFIELD LEADERS	RB Josh Harbold, 56 carries, 210 yards, 3 TDs; QB Tanner Kelly, 45-for-84, 490 yards, 2 TDs, 3 Ints.; WR Nathan Shadeck 12 catches, 158 yards; WR Mike Scoggins 15 catches, 152 yards, 1 TD
PUNXSUTAWNEY LEADERS	RB Zach Bernat, 34 carries, 138 yards; QB Stu White, 10-for-24, 91 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.; WR Andy Snyder, 5 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
NEXT WEEK	Bellefonte at Clearfield Friday Punxsutawney at Warren Friday
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN LEAGUE-SOUTH
Cameron County (1-2 overall, 1-2 AML) at Curwensville (0-3 overall, 0-3 AML)
WHERE	Curwensville
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday (postponed from Friday)
LAST WEEK	Coudersport 28, Curwensville 0 Cameron County 12, Elk County Catholic 6
GAME STORY	The Golden Tide will try to notch their first win after committing 15 turnovers in their first three games. Visiting Cameron County won its first game last week.
CAMERON CO. LEADERS	RB Adam Kesterholt, 56 carries, 207 yards, 2 TDs; Keith Horning, 21 carries, 178 yards, 2 TD; Kyle Vogt, 24-for-42, 268 yards, 5 Ints.
CURWENSVILLE LEADERS	RB Nate Sipes, 35 carries, 171 yards, 1 TD; QB Doug Swatsworth, 10-for-41, 144 yards, 8 Int.; WR Greg Gilbert, 6 catches, 109 yards.
NEXT WEEK	Curwensville at Brockway Friday Cameron County at Kane Friday
Ridgway (2-1 overall, 2-1 AML) at Johnsonburg (0-3 overall,0-3 AML)
WHERE	Johnsonburg
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday (postponed from Friday)
LAST WEEK	Ridgway 20, Kane 14 Brockway 49, Johnsonburg 20
GAME STORY
RIDGWAY LEADERS
JOHNSONBURG LEADERS
NEXT WEEK	Elk County Catholic at Ridgway Friday Johnsonburg at Sheffield Saturday
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN LEAGUE-CROSSOVER
Brockway (3-0 overall, 3-0 AML) at Eisenhower (1-2 overall, 1-2 AML)
WHERE	Russell
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday (postponed from Friday)
LAST WEEK	Brockway 49, Johnsonburg 20 Sheffield 13, Eisenhower 6
GAME STORY
BROCKWAY LEADERS
EISENHOWER LEADERS
NEXT WEEK	Curwensville at Brockway Friday Youngsville at Eisenhower Friday
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN LEAGUE-SOUTH
Kane (2-1 overall, 2-1 AML) at Elk County Catholic (1-2 overall, 1-2 AML)
WHERE	St. Marys
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday
LAST WEEK	Ridgway 20, Kane 14 Cameron County 12, ECC 6
KANE LEADERS
ECC LEADERS
NEXT WEEK	Elk County Catholic at Ridgway Friday Cameron County at Kane Friday
NON-CONFERENCE
Bradford (3-0 overall) at Warren
WHERE	Warren
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday (postponed from Friday
LAST WEEK	Bradford 34, Punxsutawney 0
WARREN LEADERS	NA
BRADFORD LEADERS	RB Sean Hvizdzak, 53 carries, 394 yards, 3 TDs; RB Dave Snyder 54 carries, 366 yards, 2 TDs; QB Mike Austin 4-for-13, 8 yards, 1 TD, 4 Int.
NEXT WEEK	St. Marys at Bradford Friday Punxsutawney at Warren Friday
DuBois (1-2 overall) at State College (2-1)
WHERE	State College, 6 p.m. (postoned from Friday)
WHEN	7 p.m. Saturday
LAST WEEK	Brookville 14, DuBois 7 State College 14, Altoona 12
DUBOIS LEADERS	QB Joe Wanson, 18-for-38, 251 yards, 1 Int. and 24 carries, 80 yards, 4 TDs; RB Vance Newell, 46 carries, 144 yards; WR Michael Hunter, 5 catches, 106 yards.
STATE COLLEGE LEADERS	NA
NEXT WEEK	Elk County Catholic at Ridgway Friday Cameron County at Kane Friday