MONITEAU TRIES TO KNOCK BROCKWAY FROM ITS PERCH 

D9 CLASS AA PLAYOFF HOME

BROCKWAY — It’s been a perfect season so far for the 9-0 Brockway Rovers. Now it’s on to other things, like the District 9 Class AA playoffs.

The top-seeded Rovers, coming off last week’s 21-13 win over Coudersport in the Allegheny Mountain League Championship game, host fourth-seeded Moniteau (6-3) Friday night.

Kickoff at Frank Varischetti Field is set for 7 p.m.

The Rovers, the defending Class AA champions, aren’t about to rest on their first AML title or first-ever unbeaten, untied regular season in team history. Now, win or lose and go home for the year.

"Right now, that 9-0 season doesn’t do us any good," Brockway head coach Ray Reckner said. "It’s a whole new season. (The playoffs) is where we shined last year. Last year’s regular season was a disaster. Once you qualify for the playoffs, it’s a new season."

The Rovers limped into the playoffs last year at 5-4 before winning the district title and advancing to the second round of the PIAA playoffs.

Moniteau, a playoff team last year, enters the postseason this year with its first winning regular season under its belt since 1986. The Warriors were blasted by Karns City, 69-23, in the first round of the playoffs last year and finished 4-6.

But this year, the Warriors challenged for a Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title and are more seasoned for this year’s postseason.

"Last year, a lot of the guys had jitters and were nervous," Moniteau head coach Steve Wilson said. "This year, they know what the playoff atmosphere is like and seem ready for it."

It’s the first meeting between the former KSAC rivals since Brockway left the conference after the 1998 season. That year, the Rovers routed the Warriors, 56-0, extending their unbeaten streak over Moniteau to eight games. Moniteau hasn’t beaten Brockway since 1989.

It’ll be a matchup of a veteran team with plenty of playoff confidence over the past two years. The Rovers will throw their power running game and ball-control game plan at the Warriors.

The three-headed Rovers offensive backfield includes seniors Jeremy Sickeri (735 yards, 6 TDs), Seth Rhed (684 yards, 15 TDs) and Andy Martino (610 yards, 9 TDs). Senior quarterback John Himes (705 yards, 7 TDs) gives the Rovers a passing game not to be overlooked.

"Brockway runs the wing-T to perfection," Wilson said. "I worry that we will be caught flat-footed trying to find the ball, rather than just playing our style of defense."

Moniteau is led offensively by senior quarterback Clay Kohlmeyer (1,129 yards, 11 TDs), senior running back Steve Saul (1,106 yards, 13 TDs rushing, 406 yards, 3 TDs receiving) and junior receiver Eric Hilliard (458 yards, 8 TDs).

"We have a much improved line that has allowed us time to throw," Wilson said. "As far as running the ball, that begins with the line as well. We have some backs and receivers that have gotten a lot of attention, but they will tell you that it takes blocking to run the ball."

"They’re a threat to score from anyplace on the field," Reckner said. "Saul handles the ball 70 to 75 percent of the time and he’s a game-breaker. It’s going to be a key, to contain him."

Friday’s winner advances to next Saturday’s championship game at Clarion University’s Memorial Field against either Brookville or Karns City.

"They want to repeat as the Class AA champs and know if they have a bad game or don’t prepare mentally, they will go home," Reckner said of his Rovers. "I don’t think they’ll let that happen.