By Andy Close

DUBOIS – The Punxsutawney Chucks (9-2), coming off of their first district title since 1991, will meet the Schenley Spartans, the Pittsburgh City League District 8 Champions, in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs at Dubois’ E.J. Mansell Stadium with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. Friday night.

The Chucks rallied from a 28-20 fourth quarter deficit against Clearfield last week, as Ben Blazavich scored from three yards out with 1:41 remaining. Punxy then held off a furious Clearfield drive that stalled inside the Chucks 30 as time ran out.

It’s been a renaissance for the Punxsutawney program, as it is enjoying its first winning season since 2002 to go along with the District title.

Sophomore quarterback Logan Weaver completed 6 of 8 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns against the Bisons. Weaver has been exceptionally efficient this season completing 72 of 131 passes for 1,347 yards and 16 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions.  Weaver has in fact intercepted twice as many passes (6) as he as thrown, tied for the most in District 9.

Braedon Pennington is Weaver’s favorite receiver catching 31 passes for 637 yards and six touchdowns. The 637 yards ranks sixth in District 9 this season. Pennington also leads the Chucks defensively with 58 tackles.

Senior Running back Brennan Niver is the leading ground gainer for the Chucks with 857 yards, good for tenth in District 9, while adding 12 touchdowns.

Schenley (9-1) is coming off a drought even longer than the Chucks winning just their second district title since 1950 with a 34-32 double overtime win over Oliver. 

In that game Darren Jackson rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the second overtime, and threw for another.

The Spartans are led offensively by running back Jerome Matthews, who topped the City League with 15 touchdowns on the ground.

The District 8 champions also are stout defensively, giving up double-digit points in just three games this season, including three shutouts.

The Chucks boast a solid defensive of their own, pitching two shutouts while yielding an average of just 13 points per game.

Punxy comes into the game winners of nine consecutive games.  The Chucks last loss was a 25-8 defeat to Dubois Sept. 11.

The District 9 champs will look to make it back-to-back wins over City League teams, as Clearfield defeated Brashear 24-21 last season.