By Rich Rhoades

The list of District 9 football unbeatens is down to five going into Week 4 this Friday night as all 26 teams are in action in 15 games with all but two of them in district territory.

Cameron County, Clarion, Karns City, St. Marys and Bradford carry 3-0 records and all but two of those teams are on the road. The Red Raiders, the only unbeaten in the Allegheny Mountain League, host Curwensville.

The Red Raiders are coming off a 28-20 win over Brockway as Jason Blose earned the RRR Roadhouse D9Sports.Com District 9 Football Player of the Week. He scored two touchdowns in the final 3:40 of the game, rushing for 113 yards and making a key interception that set up his own game-winning score.

Cameron relies heavily on the run as Andy Lippert (431 yards, 5 TDs) leads the way. Tanner Johnson (208, 3) and quarterback Blose (151, 2) also carry the ball. The Red Raiders have attempted just 23 passes in three games.

Curwensville, a 23-6 loser to Coudersport last week, is led by running backs Jed Greslick (313, 5) and Alex Holland (200, 2). Quarterback Sam Gardner has passed for 212 yards.

Clarion has established itself as perhaps the favorite in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference in the early going, but the Bobcats might be facing a stiff test in 1-2 Punxsutawney when the Chucks come to Clarion University. The Chucks, like the Bobcats, have routed defending KSAC champion Moniteau.

Clarion’s Bubba Rue had a week that usually earns Player of the Week honors in last week’s 21-12 win over Keystone. Rue gained 261 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns. For the year, he’s rushed for 401 yards and five touchdowns. He’s second behind Kevin Grejda’s 29 tackles on defense with 27.

Quarterback Dan Walters (263 yards passing, 3 TDs), Kris Burkhart (127 yards rushing, 2 TDs), Grejda (108 yards rushing) and Cody Renninger (5 catches, 118 yards) are other Bobcats standouts.

For the Chucks, sophomore quarterback Logan Weaver has passed for 412 yards and three scores. Last week against Moniteau, he completed 8 of 9 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 176 yards and one touchdown. Nick Wehrle has gained 169 yards with a touchdown. Receiver Braedon Pennington is Weaver’s top target with 13 receptions for 228 yards.

Karns City travels to 1-2 Clarion-Limestone. The Lions are coming off their first win of the year against A-C Valley.           

Two Class AAA teams are off to strong starts as Bradford and St. Marys also go on the road this week. The Owls trek to longtime District 10 foe Warren (2-1) averaging a whopping 42 points per game in their three wins. Their running trio of Pat Pascarella (471 yards, 7 TDs), Mark Havers (179, 5) and Ryan Breznik (131, 1) have been productive for the Owls. Quarterback Cody Coats has attempted just 10 passes, but has completed seven for 161 yards.

St. Marys heads to Huntingdon (2-1) in a Mountain Athletic Conference-Nittany Division game. Running back Kevin Hoy leads the Dutch with 376 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Quarterback Steve Simchick is a two-way threat and has passed for four touchdowns. Linebacker Sean Sadosky is coming off a 10-tackle performance against Bald Eagle Area. He also blocked a punt.

This week’s interesting matchups don’t have to involve 3-0 teams. In the Allegheny Mountain League, Kane hosts Port Allegany in a battle of 2-1 teams. Alex Anderson (212 yards passing), Arie Paup (142 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and Robert Kumher (32 tackles) lead the Wolves while Matt Bodamer (307 yards passing, 3 TDs), Seth Lowery (318 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and Ryan Bodamer (37 tackles) lead the Gators.

In the other Friday AML games, Coudersport (2-1) hosts Ridgway (2-1), Otto-Eldred (0-3) hosts Brockway, Sheffield (1-2) visits Elk County Catholic (1-2) and Smethport (0-3) travels to Johnsonburg (1-2).

In the other KSAC games, Brookville (0-3) heads to Redbank Valley (2-1) in what could be a compelling matchup in New Bethlehem. The Raiders are looking for their first win and getting into the Class AA playoff hunt.

Also in the KSAC, Moniteau (1-2) visits A-C Valley (0-3)

In two other MAC games, Clearfield (2-1) visits Tyrone (2-1) in what could be an interesting game in the Nittany Division. Last year, the Bisons beat the Eagles, 35-34, and ended Tyrone’s 35-game regular-season winning streak. Tyrone lost just two games.

This year, Bisons quarterback Curtis Frye has passed for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Trey Campman has caught 14 passes for 294 yards. Tyrone is led by quarterback Steve Franco (403 yards passing, 3 TDs) and running back Levi Reihart (212 yards).

DuBois (2-1) tries to shake off a loss to state-ranked Cathedral Prep last Saturday when it hosts Indian Valley (1-2). Josh Means (307 yards passing, 3 TDs; 166 yards rushing, 2 TDs), Cam Kelly (204 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and Dew Spicher (9 catches, 158 yards; 3 sacks on defense).