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By Rich Rhoades
So far, it’s been a cakewalk for the two District 9 Class A football powers of the
north. Two-time defending champion Coudersport and Cameron County have combined to outscore their first two
opponents 183-0.
That’ll all change Friday night in Coudersport.
The two will square off for what will likely be the deciding game to win the Allegheny
Mountain League North Division. Yes, it’s early, but it’s clear that these are the two teams to beat in the
division.
Some may say it may be one of perhaps two meetings this year, the second being deep in the
district playoffs. It may be too early to figure on that, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Head coach Paul Simcoe’s Falcons haven’t lost to an AML-North opponent in the regular
season since 2002, a span of 27 straight games since a Week 2 loss to Eisenhower five years ago. They also
haven’t lost to the Red Raiders since 1995, a 7-0 loss in Emporium.
When was the last time Cameron County won in Coudersport? At least 41 years. Although the
all-time series between these teams is close at 30-28-3 in favor of Coudersport, the Falcons have won 20 of the
last 21 against the Red Raiders. From 1967 to 1983, the teams did not meet. Cameron won back-to-back games in
1966-67, so likely one of those were played in Coudersport.
For Coudersport, it’s a chance to solidify its title already owned as the team to beat.
The Falcons haven’t been challenged so far. Senior quarterback Boomer Wetzel has passed for 286 yards in two
games to go along with a balanced running attack. Colton Cory is his top receiver, catching three passes for
119 yards and two touchdowns in the 36-0 win over Otto-Eldred last week.
Cameron County, 6-4 a year ago, is coming off its first winning season since 2001 and only
its second winning year since the Red Raiders’ dream season of 1999 - 12-1, district title, and no, they
didn’t play Coudy that year.
Leading the way for the Red Raiders is quarterback Jordan Crane (184 yards, 4 TDs) and
running back Charlie Holjencin (128 yards, 3 TDs). Like Coudersport, Cameron has used a host of skill position
players in two blowout wins.
The AML North isn’t the only battle at the top. The AML South has both of its 2-0 teams
– Kane and Elk County Catholic – facing off at Dutch Country Stadium in St. Marys. It’s an upside-down
theme from a year ago. ECC and Kane finished in the bottom two positions in the division standings.
The Crusaders, coming off three straight 5-5 seasons, are trying to push themselves into a
contender’s position. Their do-it-all back Eric Mastrogiacomo has rushed for 343 yards and six touchdowns in
two games. He was last week’s D9Sports.com District 9 Co-Player of the Week in ECC’s 53-20 rout of
Curwensville, rushing for 294 yards.
Kane, 3-7 a year ago, also looks for a big boost with a win over the Crusaders. The Wolves
haven’t been 3-0 since its D9 Class A runner-up season of 2002. For ECC, it’s been a lot longer. The
Crusaders haven’t started the year with three straight wins since a 4-0 start way back in 1996.
In other AML divisional games Friday night, Port Allegany (2-0) visits Smethport (0-2) in
the 101st meeting between the teams, and Sheffield (0-2) hosts Otto-Eldred (0-2) at War Memorial
Stadium in Warren. The Wolverines and Terrors have combined to score seven points so far with Sheffield getting
all seven. In the AML South, Brockway (1-1), coming off an impressive win over Ridgway, hosts struggling
Curwensville (0-2), and Ridgway (1-1) travels to Johnsonburg (0-2) for the 103rd meeting between the
next-door neighbors. The Rams have won the last three games.
In the District 9 League, two league games are on the schedule. Brookville (1-1) hosts
DuBois (1-1) in its home opener. The Raiders feature last week’s D9Sports.com District 9 Co-Player of the
Week Joe Galbraith, who ran for 266 yards in their 35-28 shootout win at Clearfield. Galbraith went over 2,000
career rushing yards as well. Bradford (1-0), off last week, hosts Punxsutawney (0-2).
In the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference, Karns City (2-0) visits Clarion-Limestone
(1-1), Union (0-2) hosts Keystone (1-1) and Moniteau (1-1) heads to A-C Valley (0-2).
In games involving non-district opponents, Clearfield (1-1) hosts Hollidaysburg (2-0) in
their first meeting as Mountain Athletic Conference members. The Bisons last played the Golden Tigers in 1987.
In a non-conference game between D9 teams, Clarion (1-1) tries to rebound from last
week’s loss to Keystone when it hosts St. Marys (1-1) at Clarion University. The Flying Dutchmen walloped
another KSAC team, Moniteau, 49-29 a week ago breaking a 5-game losing streak to the KSAC. The Bobcats, who had
10 fumbles in their 30-7 loss at Keystone, have never lost to St. Marys boasting a 10-0 overall record vs. the
Dutch.
District 6’s West Branch (0-2) visits Redbank Valley (2-0) in what is a 14-game Friday
night-only schedule this week. The Warriors haven’t played a D9 team since ending their annual league matchup
with Curwensville back in 1998. Redbank Valley has never played West Branch, a school located between
Clearfield and Philipsburg-Osceola in eastern Clearfield County.
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Coudersport's Kyle Gee
Photo courtesy of Paul Burdick - 708 S. Main St. Coudersport,
Pa. 16915; 814-274-8772
Curwensville's David Kalgren
Photo courtesy of Paul Burdick - 708 S. Main St. Coudersport,
Pa. 16915; 814-274-8772
Otto-Eldred's Travis Bair
Photo courtesy of Paul Burdick - 708 S. Main St. Coudersport,
Pa. 16915; 814-274-8772
ECC's Eric Mastrogiacomo
Karns City's Cameron Turner |
