A couple of conference showdowns and a District 9 team trying to upset the four-time defending state champions highlights a slate of 14 Friday night games in Week 8.

In the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference, Moniteau (6-1 overall, 4-1 KSAC) tries to shake off a disappointing loss to Karns City last week when its hosts Redbank Valley (5-2, 4-1), which broke a 2-game losing streak with a win over A-C Valley last week.

Up in Elk County, Curwensville (6-1) will try to lock up its third straight Allegheny Mountain League Southern Division title when it travels to Ridgway (5-2), which is looking for a shot at its first AML South title since 1993.

In one of only two non-conference games this week, Clarion (4-3) will try to pull the upset when it heads to Catawissa (just south of Bloomsburg) to take on the four-time defending state champion Southern Columbia Tigers (7-0), who have been to 11 of the past 12 PIAA Class A title games.

In the District 9 League, the annual Route 36 Trophy game features the 6-1 Brookville Raiders hosting 3-4 Punxsutawney.

Here’s a closer look at this week’s schedule:

Last year, Moniteau lost all three to Karns City, Redbank Valley and Clarion in consecutive weeks but did rebound in the playoffs to advance to the Class AA Championship game.

Quarterback Tyler Armagost, who passed for 332 yards against the Gremlins, teams up with Adam Cousins (513 yards, 11 TDs) to lead Moniteau against Redbank Valley. Running back Alex Bladel (947 yards, 13 TDs) and quarterback Jake Smith (663 yards passing, 365 rushing) pace the Bulldogs.

Moniteau has given up just 57 points, second fewest in the district behind Coudersport’s 37.

Redbank Valley has history on its side. The Bulldogs have won four straight against Moniteau, which last won in 2001.

In other KSAC games, unbeaten Karns City (7-0) has two games remaining to lock up the conference title. By record, it shouldn’t be any problem as the Gremlins host A-C Valley (0-6) this week and play Union (2-5) next week. One win gives Karns City a share of the title for the second straight season while two would give the Gremlins their first outright title since 2001.

Union visits Clarion-Limestone (1-6) looking for its first win over the Lions in 21 years. The Golden Knights beat the Lions 20-6 way back in 1985.

With everyone focusing on a potential three-way tie at the top of the District 9 League standings between Clearfield, Brookville and Bradford, the Punxsutawney Chucks are trying to sneak into contention.

If the Chucks upset the Raiders, they are still in the hunt but would need a lot of help. Winless DuBois (0-7) would have to win at Bradford (5-2) Friday night and then the Chucks would have to beat the Bisons in Hyde next week.

It’s a possibility, but probably a stretch considering that the high-flying Raiders boast some of the best offensive numbers in the district, starting with the most yards of offense per game. Max Kutz (887 yards, 9 TDs) and Joe Galbraith (713 yards, 7 TDs) lead the running game while quarterback Shane Heschke (683 yards passing, 7 TDs, 1 Int.) has the second highest quarterback rating among starters in D-9.

Juniors Mike Smiley (716 yards rushing) and Zach Smith (569 yards passing, 6 TDs) lead the Chucks.

In the other District 9 League games, Clearfield (5-2) hosts St. Marys (1-6) and DuBois (0-7) travels to Bradford (5-2). Both the Bisons and Owls need to win to keep their league title hopes alive.

It’s the final league game for the Owls, who have lost back-to-back games at home for the first time since 1998. If Bradford wins, the worst it can do is share a title with Brookville and Clearfield in an unbreakable three-way tie.

If Punxsutawney upsets Brookville, the Owls can win the league title outright. They would win head-to-head tiebreakers with Punxsutawney and Clearfield.

Clearfield hosts St. Marys. The Bisons close their league schedule next week at home against Punxsutawney. The only way Clearfield can win the title outright is if Bradford loses to DuBois.

Ridgway winning would add another exclamation point to a turnaround season for the Elkers, who were 1-8 last year. Curwensville beat Ridgway 57-7 last year and 78-0 the year before.

Prior to that, however, Ridgway notched three straight wins in memorable games. The Elkers won 37-36 in 2003, 26-20 in double overtime in 2002 and 27-26 in overtime in 2001.

This time around, the game features two players who are dominant factors offensively. Ridgway’s Jerico Weitzel is closing in on 1,000 yards with 878 along with 12 touchdowns.

Curwensville’s Nick Sipes, who went over 5,000 career rushing yards, leads the district with 1,165 yards and 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Shawn Sopic is another threat with 500 yards passing and 443 yards rushing.

In other AML games, the 7-0 Coudersport Falcons travel to winless Smethport (0-7) in what will be the 99^th meeting between the longtime rivals. While Smethport leads the overall series, 57-37-4, Coudersport has won the last five games. A win by the Falcons would give them their longest win streak ever against the Hubbers.

Chris Cavallari, coming off his D9Sports.Com Player of the Week performance last week, also went over 1,000 yards rushing. He’s at 1,026 yards.

Cameron County (5-2) hosts Sheffield (1-6) and Port Allegany (2-5) visits Otto-Eldred (2-5) in the other AML-North games.

In the other AML-South matchups, Johnsonburg (5-2) hosts Elk County Catholic (3-4) and Brockway (3-4) visits Kane (3-4).

Southern Columbia is chasing after its fifth straight title this year and most if not all observers believe that it’s favored again, owning the top rankings across the state in Class A. The Tigers have appeared in 11 of the last 12 Class A state title games and have won 15 straight District 4 titles.

Southern boasts Pitt recruit Henry Hynoski, a 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pounder who has rushed for 5,582 career yards. This year, he has 693 yards to go with 16 touchdowns. Last year, he rushed for 2,180 yards and 34 TDs.

The Tigers don’t pass much. Junior quarterback Ted Heitzman is 22-of-38 for 341 yards.

Despite ranking fifth in total offense in the district, Clarion owns a 4-3 record. The Bobcats playing Southern as a major underdog with their playoff status still in doubt doesn’t help things.

Keystone (3-4) will go to Geauga County in Northeast Ohio to take on the 7-1 Ledgemont Redskins, who make their home in Thompson, Ohio. Ledgemont would be a small Class A school in Pennsylvania with 212 students in grades 9-12.

CLASS AA

CLASS A

Of the eight teams to qualify, D9 declared that four automatically belong to the Allegheny Mountain League and two to the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference with the other two going to wild cards.

Much will be cleared up after this week, or not. Stay tuned.

Until then, go to our link:

• Alex Bladel, Redbank Valley: He’s ready to go over 1,000 yards rushing, needing only 53 yards to get there. He’s also rushed for 13 touchdowns.
• Tyler Armagost, Moniteau: He didn’t start at QB until Week 3, but he ranks second in the district with 889 yards passing. He’s also thrown seven TD passes and his passing rating ranks third in the district.