By Chris Rossetti

So you want to see all 26 District 9 football teams plays this year? But no way, you say. It can’t be done.

Wrong I say. It can be done and I will prove it. I will show you how you can see all 26 District 9 football teams play this season. But you better fill up your tank, get the oil checked, check the tires and hit the sub shop before you go. Because say you leave from St. Marys, which is fairly in the middle of District 9, it’s going to take 1,529 miles of roundtrip driving and 31 hours and 26 minutes over a course of 16 days to see all 26 teams.

Along the way you’ll only see four teams – Sheffield (3 times), Elk County Catholic (2 times), Otto-Eldred (2 times) and Redbank Valley (2 times) – more than once with only Sheffield and Elk County Catholic being at home more than once – you will, however, see Dutch Country Stadium in St. Marys three times (twice to view ECC and once St. Marys).

Well, it’s a long road ahead so you better get started.

WEEK 1 – Sept. 4 & 5 – 2 games

Friday, Sept. 4 – Cameron County at Kane, 7 p.m. – Rematch of last year’s AML Title game won 7-6 by Kane.  

Saturday, Sept. 5 – Ridgway at Sheffield, 1:30 p.m. – Sheffield is once again co-opting with Abraxas and the Wolverines have a new head coach in Bryan Gould.

WEEK 2 – Sept. 11 & 12 – 2 games

Friday, Sept. 11 – Punxsutawney at DuBois, 7 p.m. – This use to be a D9 League match-up. Not anymore, but you don’t want to miss this game because these two schools don’t like each other.

Saturday, Sept. 12 – Port Allegany at Elk County Catholic, 7 p.m. – With eight playoff spots up for grabs in District 9 Class A, this early season AML Crossover game could have major implications come November.

WEEK 3 – Sept. 18 – 1 game

Friday, Sept. 18 – Clarion-Limestone at A-C Valley, 7 p.m.  – A decade ago, this game would have been considered a marquee KSAC match-up. But both of these teams have struggled over the last few years. Could this be the year one or both turn it around?

 WEEK 4 – Sept. 25 – 1 game

Friday, Sept. 25 – Keystone at Union, 7 p.m.  – Last year these teams played a classic overtime game at Keystone that saw the homestanding Panthers prevail 36-30 after Union had tied the score late in regulation. That win was the reason Keystone and not Union went to the playoffsr. The Golden Knights with new old head coach Al Pryor will surely be looking for revenge.

WEEK 5 – Oct. 1, 2 & 3 – 3 games

Thursday, Oct. 1 – Redbank Valley at Clarion, 7 p.m. – Yes, it’s a Thursday night game because of Clarion’s annual Autumn Leaf Festival. And with the game being played in downtown Clarion at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium expect a festive atmosphere as these two Clarion County rivals clash heads. Last year, they split a pair of games with Redbank Valley prevailing in a classic 3-overtime contest 28-21 in the regular season game at Redbank only to see the Bobcats get revenge in the opening round of the District 9 playoffs also at Redbank 19-0.

 Friday, Oct. 2 – Brockway at Curwensville, 7 p.m. – This has always been a classic AML-South clash since Curwensville and Brockway both entered the AML a decade ago. And with the Rovers high-octane offense vs. Curwensville’s rough and tough defense these game could add to the legacy of the series in a hurry.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – Otto-Eldred at Sheffield, 1:30 p.m. – Otto-Eldred under former quarterback Luke Breese could end up being a sleeper in the AML-North this year. Sheffield, though, will be looking to avenge last year’s 35-0 loss.

WEEK 6 – Oct. 9 & 10 – 2 games

Friday, Oct. 9 – Karns City at Redbank Valley, 7 p.m. – A year ago, this game was one of three that helped decided the KSAC Title. The Gremlins handed Redbank Valley its first loss of the year 23-14, and that loss started a downward spiral for the Bulldogs who lost three of their final five after starting 5-0. Now they have the Gremlins on their home turf and look to give a little payback.

Saturday, Oct. 10 – Bradford at Erie East, 1 p.m. – Since the breakup of the D9 League, if it feels like Bradford is in District 10 it is because the Owls are, sort of. Bradford plays in a District 10 League vs. all District 10 opponents, but the Owls still compete for a District 9 Class AAA title. This is the longest road trip of our ultimate road trip, but with any luck the fall leaves will be in full bloom making for a scenic drive and the weather should still be warm enough to enjoy a walk along Lake Erie after the game.

WEEK 7 – Oct. 16 – 1 game

Friday, Oct. 16 – Moniteau at Brookville, 7 p.m. – These teams met twice a year ago – once in the regular season and once in the D9 Class AA playoffs – and neither game was pretty with Moniteau winning 42-7 in the regular season and 55-7 in the postseason. But the Warriors must replace the best quarterback in school history – Tyler Armagost – and that just might make this a closer game than last year’s.

WEEK 8 – Oct. 23 – 1 game

Friday, Oct. 23 – Otto-Eldred at Smethport, 7 p.m. – Smethport was once the class of District 9. But the Hubbers have fallen on hard times. Once again, however, with eight teams making the Class A playoffs this game could have playoff implications.

WEEK 9 – Oct. 30-31 – 2 games

Friday, Oct. 30 – Johnsonburg at Elk County Catholic, 7 p.m. – While neither team figures to win the AML-South this year, both should be in the hunt for a District 9 playoff berth for the second straight season. So this game could have crucial playoff implications.

Saturday, Oct. 31 – Coudersport at Sheffield, 1:30 p.m. – The Falcons should have a District 9 playoff berth locked up by this point, but Sheffield could be dangerous depending on how the season is going for the new-look Wolverines.

WEEK 10 – Nov. 6 – 1 game

Friday, Nov. 6 – Clearfield at St. Marys, 7 p.m. – This is a rematch of last year’s District 9 Class AAA title game won by Clearfield 42-20. It could be Clearfield’s last regular-season game as a member of District 9, as there has been a lot of speculation that the Bisons will move to District 6 as a full-time member next season.