AML CROSSOVER

Coudersport (7-4 last season, 7-2 AML North) at Cameron County (3-6, 3-6 AML South)

WHERE

Emporium

WHEN

7:30 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Coudersport enters this season coming off two straight appearances the D9 Class A playoffs and a spot in the AML Title Game last season as the AML North champs. The Falcons were the D9 champs in 2001 before losing 7-6 to Kane in the first round last year. This season only five starters return led by running back Ross Simcoe.
• Cameron County was the D9 champs in 1999 but has struggled since. This season the Red Raiders return 14 starters including QB Kyle Vogt and running backs Adam Kesterholt and Keith Horning.

LEADERS

Last season stats – FB Ross Simcoe – 69 carries, 254 yards, 2 TDs

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Kyle Vogt – Last season 50-for-104, 675 yards, 4 TDs, 12 Ints; RB Adam Kesterholt – 91 carries, 454 yards, 1 TD; RB Keith Horning – 45 carries, 141 yards

NEXT WEEK

Cameron County is at Port Allegany Saturday

Eisenhower (7-4 overall last season, 6-3 AML North) at Curwensville (7-3, 6-3 AML South)

WHERE

Curwensville

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Eisenhower had a suprisingly succesful campaign last year under first-year head coach Drew Seaman going 7-4 and qualying for the D10 Class A playoffs where they one a semifinal game before losing to West Middlesex in the title clash. But only four starters are back from that squad with the only returning skill players being Bart Moon and Mark Collins at running back.
• Curwensville’s run of two straight D9 Class A playoff appearances ended last year with the Golden Tide missing the postseason by one game. With 8 starters back this season, Curwensville likes its chances in what should be a wide open AML South. Top returning players include the D9Sports.Com District 9 Rookie of the Year RB Doug Swatsworth as well as the 7^th leading receiver in District 9 in Greg Gilbert

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Bart Moon – 48 carries, 319 yards, 3 TDs, 17 catches, 3678 yards, 3 TDs; RB Mark Collins – 46 carries, 309 yards, 2 TDs

LEADERS

Last season sats – RB Doug Swatsworth – 98 carries, 471 yards, 3 TDs; WR Greg Gilbert – 21 catches, 482 yards, 6 TDs.

NEXT WEEK

Curwensville is at Elk County Catholic Saturday

Otto-Eldred (1-8 last season overall, 1-8 AML North) at Ridgway (7-3, 7-2 AML South)

WHERE

Ridgway

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Otto-Eldred snapped a 27-game losing streak with a 21-15 win over Johnsonburg in the regular-season finale last season. This year the Terrors return 22 starters and are looking to build upon that win. Top returing players include QB Luke Breese, RBs Virgil Graham and Ryan Little, TE Keith Barrett and SE Kelly Snow.
• Ridgway qualified for the D9 Class A playoffs last season losing a heartbreaking 21-19 decision to eventual champions Clarion-Limestone in the first round. But only seven starters are back from that team led by RB Tom Buck and SE Josh Shirey.

LEADERS

N/A

LEADERS

Last season sats – RB Tom Buck – 43 carries, 172 yards; SE Josh Shirey – 17 catches, 225 yards, 1 TD)

NEXT WEEK

Ridgway hosts Brockway Friday

Port Allegany (6-3 overall last season, 6-3 AML North) at Kane (9-2, 8-1 AML South)

WHERE

Kane

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Port Allegany could be the pre-season favorite to win the AML North. The Gators are returing 16 starters from a team that won its final five games last year including QB Craig Flint, RBs Clauder Haskins and Jeremy Tanner and SE Jeremy Neice.
• Kane won both the AML South and the AML Title game last season then beat Coudersport in the opening round of the D9 Class A playoffs before losing to Clarion-Limestone 28-13 in the D9 Title game. The Wolves do return 12 starters from that team this year including a solid group of the offensive line. But they must find a way to replace three-year starter Tyler Smith at QB as well as their top three runners and top seven receivers. FB Steve Chittester is the top returning rusher, although sophomore Kyle Oakes is coming off a Jr. High season that saw him run for over 900 yards in just six games.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Craig Flint – 54-for-120 passing, 731 yards, 7 TDs, 9 Ints; RB Claude Haskins – 107 carries, 419 yards, 2 TDs, 23 catches, 217 yards; SE – Jeremy Neice – 10 catches, 217 yards, 3 TDs; RB Jeremy Tanner – 63 yards rushing, 10 catches, 181 yards, 3 TDs.

LEADERS

Last season sats – FB Steve Chittester – 30 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD

NEXT WEEK

Kane is at Johnsonburg Friday

Sheffield (3-6 overall last season, 3-6 AML North) at Brockway (8-5, 5-4 AML South)

WHERE

Brockway

WHEN

7:30 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Sheffield started 2-2 last season but one just once in the final five weeks. This season the Wolverines have 15 starters back and would like to be the dark horse in the AML North.
• Brockway struggled to a 5-4 regular-season mark last season but caught fire in the playoffs beating Brookville in the D9 Class AA semifinals and then coming from behind for a 14-7 win over Karns City in the title game. Brockway continued to roll beating Slippery Rock in the first round of the PIAA playoffs before losing to Forest Hills in round two. This season, the Rovers have a lot of skill players back led by QB John Himes and RB Jeremy Sickeri, the 4^th leading rusher in D9 last season and the top returing rusher, but must replace 4/5^th of their offensive line.

LEADERS

N/A

LEADERS

Last season sats – QB John Himes – 70-for-145 passing, 988 yards, 9 TDs, 8 Ints; RB Jeremy Sickeri -- 215 carries, 1,085 yards, 10 TDs, 15 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD; RB Andy Martino – 84 carries, 404 yards, 7 TDs; RB Seth Rhed – 67 carries, 389 yards, 7 TDs, 10 catches, 109 yards.

NEXT WEEK

Brockwayis at Ridgway Friday

Smethport (2-7 overall last season, 2-7 AML North) at Elk County Catholic (4-6, 4-5 AML South)

WHERE

St. Marys’s Dutch County Stadium

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Smethport suffered their first losing season since 1980 last season, and the Hubbers have a new coach in Brandon Falk this year. With Falk comes a new wide-open offense that will look to utilize the Hubbers speed. The top returning player for Smethport is TB Mike Mitchell, who was the QB last year.
• A senior dominated team last year, ECC struggled to a 4-6 record. This season the Crusaders will be looking at a lot of new starters and will most likely be in a rebuilding mode this season. Andrew Blazek is expected to start at QB with Randy Pearsall the top returning receiver.

LEADERS

Last season stats – TB Mike Mitchell – 136 carries, 714 yards, 10 TDs – As QB – 22-for-62 passing, 269 yards, 1 TD, 5 Ints.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Andrew Blazek – 3-for-4, 29 yards; WR Randy Pearsall – 6 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD

NEXT WEEK

ECC hosts Curwensville Saturday

Youngsville (2-7 overall last season, 2-7 AML North) at Johnsonburg (2-7, 2-7 AML South)

WHERE

Johnsonburg

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• The Eagles started out 2-1 last season but lost six staright to close the year. Joe Errett takes over as head coach this year, and 15 starters are back.
• Johnsonburg has a host of skill players back from last season led by QB Greg Wonderly, the 10^th leading passer in District 9, ECC transfer RB Ted Cherry and WR Eric Iorfido, the 8^th ranked receiver in D9.

LEADERS

N/A

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Greg Wonderly – 68-for-165, 975 yards, 7 TDs, 16 Ints; RB Lincoln Shreffler – 87 carries, 287 yards, 3 TDs; RB Don Lee Werner – 44 carries, 227 yards, 1 TD; WR Eric Iorfido – 25 catches, 474 yards, 4 TDs; RB Ted Cherry 87 carries, 513 yards, 3 TDs for Elk County Catholic

NEXT WEEK

DISTRICT 9 LEAGUE

Clearfield (9-3 last season, 4-1 D9 League) at Bradford (5-5, 3-2)

WHERE

Bradford

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Clearfield is the defending D9 Class AAA champs and made it to the second round of the PIAA Playoffs last season. But the Bison were depleted by graduation most noteably D9Sports.Com District 9 Player of the Year and PA Football News Class AAA Player of the Year Dave Richards, who ran for 2,506 yards and 41 TDs while setting the D9 career TD mark with 80. Also gone is QB Michael Sayers, WRs Craig Gardner and Todd Shaw and lineman Jon Altemus along with a host of others. The Bison will probably rely heavily on the 16^th leading rusher in D9 last season in Josh Harbold to carry the load.
• The Owls have some talented players back from a team that started slow but finished strong last season including three top-notch RBs in Sean Hvizdzak, Jon Colts and Dave Snyder. Hvizdzak was the 11^th best rusher in District 9 a year ago.

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Josh Harbold – 86 carries, 726 yards, 6 TDs

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Sean Hvizdzak – 101 carries, 838 yards, 12 TDs; RB Jon Colts – 27 carries, 204 yards; FB Dave Snyder – 30 carries, 187 yards, 1 TD

NEXT WEEK

Bradfors is at Olean (NY) Saturday

KSAC

Clarion (4-5 overall last season, 3-5 KSAC) at Keystone (6-3, 5-3)

WHERE

Knox

WHEN

7:30 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Clarion is coming off its first losing season since 1998, and the Bobcats graduated 17 seniors from that team. But Clarion has a lot of good players at the skill positions. The biggest question for the Bobcats will be how the line, which should be anchored by Nate McClaine, performs this year. Former Union QB Zac Toven has apparently won the starting QB nod with former QB Justin Arner moving over to TE. Dave Larson comes back to anchor an experienced backfield. As always, expect the Bobcats to have a tough, hard-hitting defense.
• Keystone has a strong nucleus of skill position players back led by QB Buck Neely, slot receiver Billy Colwell and RB Sam Swartzfager. Like Clarion, the big question for the Panthers will be their line. Also the Keystone defense, which has never quite been as good as the offense, needs to step up to the challenge this season.

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Dave Larson – 92 carries, 386 yards, 1 TD; QB Zac Toven – 12-for-30, 162 yards, 1 TD, 5 Ints for Union.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Buck Neely – 55-for-120, 939 yards, 13 TDs, 7 Ints, 68 carries, 331 yards, 1 TD; SB Billy Colwell – 59 carries, 309 yards, 5 TDs, 4 catches, 20 yards; RB Sam Swartzfager – 89 carries, 560 yards, 7 TDs, 5 catches, 75 yards, 2 TDs

NEXT WEEK

Keystone is at Union Friday

Clarion-Limestone (12-1 overall last season, 9-0 KSAC) at A-C Valley (0-9, 0-8)

WHERE

Foxburg

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Clarion-Limestone is the defending District 9 Class A champs, and the Lions moved into the second round of the PIAA Playoffs last season. This year C-L returns all but five of the players that made last season such a success. Of the players coming back, QB/LB Hayden Johnston, the D9Sports.Com District 9 Defensive Player of the Year, RB Brendan Huwar and WR Brad Beggs are the key players on offense along with returning linemen Dan Jeannerat, David Ferguson and Dave Eggleton. Former starter turned current starter Ron Frances as well as Sheldon Champion joing to form a very solid line. The LB corps of Ferguson, Frances and Johnston might be the best in District 9.
• As good as C-L was last year, A-C Valley was just as bad. The Falcons have currently lost 14 games in a row and are tied with DuBois for the longest active losing streak in the District. The Falcons do have some talented players including RB Corey Clawson, last season’s QB, RB Brad Hurrellbrink and QB Luiz Goncalzes. But the Falcons need their offensive line to come around, and they are very small on defense with free safety size linebackers.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Hayden Johnston – 62-for-130, 1,017 yards, 18 TDs, 8 Ints, 159 carries, 799 yards, 11 TDs; RB Brendan Huwar – 190 carries, 1,039 yards, 23 TDs, 6 catches, 58 yards, 2 TDs; WR Brad Beggs – 33 catches, 547 yards, 11 TDs.

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Corey Clawson – 88 carries, 132 yards, 2 TDs – as the QB; QB Luiz Goncalzes – 1-for-3, 3 yards; RB Brad Hurrellbring – 78 carries, 312 yards, 1 TD.

NEXT WEEK

Keystone is at Union Friday

Union (2-7 overall last season, 2-6 KSAC) at Redbank Valley (7-2, 6-2)

WHERE

New Bethlehem

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Union showed improvement under first-year head coach Scott Kindel last season, and the Golden Knights come into this season with some nice skill players led by QB Adam Milanovich. Union, though, is going to need its line to step up if it is going to score points this season, a weak spot last year when the Knights put up just 62 points in nine games.
• Redbank Valley has probably one of the top passing games in District 9 led by the 6^th ranked QB last season Shane Reed and the leading receiver in D9 in Tyson Truitt. More pressure will be put on both this year now that 1,000-yard back Ron Geist has graduated. The other real question for the Bulldogs is the defense which allowed 197 points last season, the most by any Class A team in District 9 with a winning record.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Adam Milanovich – 41-for-120, 499 yards, 3 TDs, 11 Ints; WR – Ryan Freilino – 11 catches, 97 yards

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Shane Reed – 55-for-115, 1,080 yards, 10 TDs, 4 Ints; WR Tyson Truitt – 31 catches, 599 yards, 8 TDs; WB Brandon Johnston – 28 carries, 159 yards, 15 catches, 359 yards, 5 TDs

NEXT WEEK

Redbank Valley is at West Shamokin

West Shamokin (3-7 overall last season, 2-6 KSAC) at Karns City (9-2, 7-1)

WHERE

Karns City

WHEN

7:30 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• West Shamokin took a step forward last season equalling the win total of the past three seasons combined. The Wolves have some talented players back but also lost some talented personal. The top returning players include QB Trevor Henderson and wide receiver Todd Cessna.
• Karns City has been one of the most consistent football teams in District 9 over the past seven seasons averaging 7.3 wins per season in the KSAC and 10.7 wins per season overall. In that span they have an overal lrecord of 75-16 and a KSAC mark of 51-8 and have won three KSAC titles and four Distirct 9 Class AA titles (1997, 1999-2001) and were District 9 runners-up last season. The Gremlins have a pretty solid group of players back including three starters from an offensive line that helped them rush for 2,502 yards and 44 touchdowns. Another starter from that line, Mike Stimac, is moving back to running back. The big question on offense is the QB and RB positions where Karns City lost Erik Fuhrer and Matt Carnahan respectivly. Furher (991 yards) was the 8^th leading passer and Carnahan (1,368) the second leading rusher in D9. Mike Croyle will step in at QB with Josh Fiscus at RB. On defense, the Gremlins have nine starters back from a unit that allowed 176 points in 11 games but only 62 points in its final eight games.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Trevor Henderson (43-for-113, 568 yards, 4 TDs, 4 Ints); 62 carries, 347 yards, 3 TDs); WR Todd Cessna – 12 catches, 155 yards

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Mike Croyle – 6-for-11, 62 yards; TE – Kevin Trimbur – 10 catches, 97 yards; RB Josh Fiscus – 31 carries, 215 yards, 2 TDs; WR David Black – 7 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD

NEXT WEEK

Karns City is at Clarion-Limestone

NON-CONFERENCE

DuBois (0-10 last season) at Central Mountain (3-7)

WHERE

Lock Haven

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• The Beavers are hoping to get back on the winning track after going 0-10 last season. Overall they are tied with A-C Valley for the longest active losing streak in Distrcit 9 with 14 straight loses. The Beavers have a talented corps of players coming back led by QB Joe Wanson, RB Vance Newell and TE Mark Bowley
• (Courtesy DuBois Courier Express) The Wildcats were a very young team last season
  as well. They return starting quarterback Sean Hanna, a senior, senior fullback Tom Meyers, receivers Tyler Barth, Steve Pribble and Frankie Probst. Kicker Chris Gould, the younger brother of Penn State kicker Robbie Gould, hit 14 of 17 extra point attempts and three of seven field goals. He’s made visits to Ohio State and Pitt. Those schools are
  interested in him as a punter.

LEADERS

Last season stats – QB Joe Wanson – 44-for-119, 626 yards, 5 TDs, 11 Ints; RB Vance Newell – 89 carries, 391 yards, 2 TDs; TE Mark Bowley – 7 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD

NEXT WEEK

Central Mountain hosts Erie McDowell

Moniteau (4-6 last season) at Brookville (6-4)

WHERE

Brookville

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• Moniteau made some strides last season under first-year head coach Steve Wilson, and the Warriors have some talented players back this season led by RB Steve Saul and QB Clay Kohlmeyer. Scoring against the better teams was a problem for the Warriors who posted just 49 points in their four regular season games against Karns City, Keystone, Redbank Valley and C-L with 20 of those coming against Redbank Valley.
• Brookville was a surprise D9 League champion last season, but the Raiders lost a lot of talent from that team and could be looking at a rebuilding year this season, especially on the offensive line. The Raiders do have some talent back on offense including RB Matt Gilbery and WRs Brent Puller and Cliff Park.

LEADERS

Last season stats – RB Steve Saul – 117 carries, 401 yards, 4 TDs; QB Clay Kohlmeter – 47-for-132, 634 yards, 4 TDs, 13 Ints.

LEADERS

Last season stats RB Matt Gilbert –151 carries, 596 yards, 5 TDs);WR Brent Puller – 21 catches, 215 yards; WR Cliff Park – 13 catches, 175 yards

NEXT WEEK

Brookville is at Clearfield

St. Marys (4-6 last season) at Titusville (8-2)

WHERE

Titusville

WHEN

7 p.m. Friday

LAST WEEK

First game of the season for both teams

GAME STORY

• St. Marys is looking for its first winning season since 1986, and that season might have to wait another year with the Dutchmen in a rebuilding mode this season. Players to watch include RBs Jeremy Catalone and Brian Cogley and WR Lopaka Hoohuli
• (Courtesy DuBois Courier-Express) Last year, the Titusville Rockets were 8-2 and won the
  Northwest Football Conference title. Coach John Wiley, a former Clearfield coach, enters his ninth year at the helm of the Rockets. He brings back seven starters on each side of the ball. Some of the top returning players include quarterback Tom Smith, linemen Dave Diem, a first team NWFC all-star and Brian Skokowski. Fullbacks Dusty Kerr and Nick Prenatt return along with tailback Ian Tobin and tight end Pat Braun.

LEADERS

Last season stats – WR Lopaka Hoohuli – 14 catches, 239 yards, 4 TDs; RB Jeremy Catalone – 19 carries, 65 yards; RB Brian Cogley – 16 carries, 44 yards.

NEXT WEEK

Titusville is at Erie Strong Vincent