2005 DISTRICT 9 FOOTBALL MIDSEASON REPORT

With five weeks in the books, we are halfway (well actually halfway plus one game, but with nine regular-season games for most teams what are you going to do?) through the 2005 seasons.

A look back at the first half shows close games, great comebacks and fantastic performances.

So how has your team so far?

Well, we take a look at the midseason award winners and how each team has faired so far.

The mid-way Player of the Year could go to many players including Coudersport’s David Babcock, Clarion’s Chris McSwain or Manny Carpin, DuBois’ Ryan Liddle or Clearfield’s Andrew Janocko to name a few. But while all of them have had sensational seasons to this point, no one has quite done what Clarion-Limestone junior quarterback Scott Davis has done.

Davis, in his first full year as the starting quarterback, has guided the Lions to a surprising 5-0 start with all five wins coming against teams from higher classifications than C-L. Not only that, but he has shown the moxy to find ways to win the close ones throwing two game-winning touchdown passes this year including an overtime strike against Karns City.

Overall, Davis has accounted for 71 percent of C-L’s yards this year (942 of 1,335) while ranking first in District 9 in yards passed for (777). He is completing 60.2 percent of his passes (65 of 108) with six touchdowns and three interceptions. A double threat, Davis has also run 80 times for 165 yards and three scores while accounting for nine of C-L’s 14 touchdowns on the year.

Once again another award that could go to a number of people including C-L’s Todd Smith, Coudersport’s Paul Simcoe, Johnsonburg’s Tom Launer or St. Marys’ Joe Schlimm. But the job DuBois’ Jason Shilala has done in his first year is remarkable.

The Beavers were decent last year going 6-4, but other than a win over an Altoona team that was down DuBois beat teams it should have and lost to teams it should have including a 28-6 playoff loss to McDowell under Lon Hazlett.

Hazlet, who wore out his welcome, was replaced by Shilala, who inherited a team minus its top passer, leading two rushers and top two receivers from a year ago.

The result: a 5-0 start for the first time since 1993 that includes the Beavers first wins over both Hollidaysburg and McDowell in the 21st Century. The win over Hollidaysburg was DuBois’ first since 1997 and the win over McDowell was the first since 1999 and the first in Erie over McDowell since 1991.

A-C Valley (0-4) – This was supposed to be the year A-C Valley started to turn the corner. Instead, the Falcons are 0-5 and haven’t scored an offensive touchdown. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 1-8

Bradford (2-3) –A young Owls team could easily be 4-1 instead of 2-3 having lost twice in double overtime. Give coach Steve Ackerman and the staff credit for not losing the young bunch after those two double OT losses to start the season. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 4-5

Brookville (1-4) – Defending champions were expected to continue where they left off last season, but the Raiders have had trouble on both sides of the football, although the defense looked remarkably better against Clarion-Limestone Friday. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 3-6

Brockway (3-2)– The overtime win over Johnsonburg last week could save the Rovers’ season. But close win over Sheffield in Week One was a warning of what was to come. The vaunted running game has struggled at times, and the defense can be scored upon. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 7-2

Cameron County (1-4) – The Red Raiders have been a lot more competitive this year while also ending a 19-game losing streak. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 3-6

Clarion (5-0) – Most expected the Bobcats to be 5-0 and they haven’t disappointed. The only negative has been putting together a complete 48 minutes against the better teams. If Clarion does that, the rest of District 9 better watch out. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 8-1

Clarion-Limestone (5-0) – Almost no one (maybe not even the coaching staff) thought the Lions would be 5-0 at this point. C-L is showing that it knows how to win, winning twice by one point and once more in overtime. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 8-1

Clearfield (4-1)– The Bisons were expected to be decent, but this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Instead, Clearfield would be unbeaten if not for a double overtime loss to Bellefonte. Junior quarterback Andrew Janocko has been sensational in leading comebacks in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 7-2

Coudersport (5-0) – Most expected the Falcons to be good this year, and they haven’t disappointed. David Babcock, Sam Decker and the rest of the crew is running through the AML North and should get to a fourth straight AML Title game and just maybe finally get the elusive title. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 9-0

Curwensville (4-1) – The Golden Tide have started to roll the last couple of weeks, but the loss to Johnsonburg and the second half of the Brockway game show just how important J.D. Skebo is to both lines. Curwensville dominates when he plays and isn’t nearly as strong when he doesn’t. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 7-2

DuBois (5-0) – The win over Erie McDowell might be the biggest by a District 9 team since the heyday of Smethport football. The Beavers’ offense has been explosive and the defense tough. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 9-0

Elk County Catholic (4-1) –So far, so good for the Crusaders who are building off last year’s D9 playoff team with a strong start. The offense has looked unstoppable at times, but a suspect defense leaves ECC with some question marks. The closing schedule for the Crusaders is brutal. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 5-4 Note - Week 10 game will vs. ECC will not be played b/c of ECC in Class A Playoffs

Johnsonburg (3-2) – Only an overtime loss last week to Brockway in a game in which super junior Calvin Grumley didn’t play keeps this team from the top teams of the first half. The defense is great, but do they have enough offense to contend in November? Grumley’s health has to be a concern considering he has been injury-prone in his two years of football. If he is healthy, the Rams could be a threat for it all. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 7-2

Kane (2-3) – Average would describe the Wolves. They have beaten everyone they should and lost to everyone they should. Running back Kyle Oakes has been the real deal. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 3-6

Karns City (3-2) – Young Gremlins team took a step forward with win at Redbank Valley Friday. Four close games (loss to C-L, wins over Redbank, St. Marys and Keystone) have tested the moxy, and KC has responded well. Even in the OT loss to C-L, the Gremlins rallied from a 16-point deficit to tie the game. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 5-4

Keystone (1-4) – Panthers have played tough defense, but the offense has been slow to come around. Things were looking up until Moniteau came to town last week. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 2-7

Moniteau (3-2) – Most thought Warriors would be 5-0 at this point, but close opening-season losses to C-L (8-7) and St. Marys (20-14) put Moniteau in the a hole. The Warriors have rebounded with three straight wins but they were against teams with a combined 1-13 record. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 6-3

Otto-Eldred (2-3)– The Terrors are looking like an average football team, but there is nothing to be ashamed about in that considering where they were just three years ago. Kerry Snow has done a good job of building this program, and progress is being made. Remember, it is one of the smallest Class A programs in the state, even with the Oswayo Valley co-op and not every year is going to be a championship season. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 3-7

Port Allegany (4-1) – With the offensive weapons the Gators had coming back, 4-1 is right about where people expected them. But PA still can’t beat Coudy in the regular season. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 7-2

Punxsutawney (0-5) – Punxsy has been beset by injuries and top athletes not coming out. They start at sophomore at quarterback (Zach Smith) who looks like the real deal. But until the Chucks can get the line right and start running the ball, wins will be hard to come by. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 0-9

Redbank Valley (2-3) – The Bulldogs have underachieved so far and the loss Friday at home to Karns City highlighted that. One thing to remember is this is one of the younger Redbank teams in recent memory. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 4-5

Ridgway (0-5) – What happened to the once vaunted Elkers defense? Ridgway used to be known as a hard-nosed defensive unit. Now everyone runs through it. Ridgway is allowing the second most points in District 9 for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, the offense isn’t keeping up either. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 0-9

St. Marys (2-3) – The Dutch could easily be 5-0 or at least 4-1 but holding late leads was a problem early in the season. Then they let Bradford pass its way to victory last week. Now a date with DuBois, by far the best team in District 9, a waits. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 4-5 Note - Week 10 game will vs. ECC will not be played b/c of ECC in Class A Playoffs

Sheffield (0-5) – The Wolves have struggled again this year despite a nice passing attack led by Jordan Copley and Jason Borst. A lack of a running game is part of the downfall as is a suspect defense. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 0-10

Smethport (2-3) – The Hubbers look like a team on the rise, but they still have a ways to go to get into the elite teams of District 9. The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 4-5

Union (0-5)– Despite 26 straight loses, Tom Kidder has Union playing hard even at the end of blowouts. The Knights have some nice offensive still players, but the line has been hurt by some circumstances that have cost it two starters who were expected to play bug roles. But help is on the way, the JV team already has two wins and the junior high team (7^th and 8^th grade) beat Clarion. The biggest challenge will be learning how to win The Magic 8 Ball Says Final Regular-Season Record Will Be: 0-9