2011 DISTRICT 9 CLASS A PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

Predications; Driving Directions

It could prove to be an interesting District 9 Class A playoff chase this year as five teams from the Allegheny Mountain League and three teams from the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference make up this year’s bracket.

Considering the new “pre-seeding” system put into effect last year, it’s not necessarily 1-8 when it comes to ranking this year’s contender list. KSAC Small School Division champion Clarion is the top seed with four losses while 8-1 Port Allegany is seeded second.

The Gators just might have the pre-tournament favorite label, but don’t consider the AML champions a shoe-in by any means. Defending Class AA champion Brockway moved down to Class A this year to bulk up the field and defending champion Curwensville is always a threat.

In four weeks, the District 9 champion advances to the state quarterfinals against the District 10 champion on Dec. 2 or 3 at a District 10 site to be determined.

Elk County Catholic (8) at Clarion (1)

 WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium.

 WINNER PLAYS: Curwensville/Coudersport winner in semifinals, Nov. 18 or 19

 GAME NOTES: This is the third time in four years that ECC and Clarion are meeting in the postseason. Clarion won the first two, an 18-12 overtime thriller in the semifinals in 2008 and a 29-2 win in the first round in 2009. It’s a game of teams with similar styles, relying mostly on strong defense and a power running game.

ABOUT THE ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Travis Skrzypek

2011 RECORD: 6-3

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 1-3 (Coudersport, 12-7 loss in Week 3; Port Allegany, 25-19 win in Week 4; Brockway, 42-41 loss in 2 OT in Week 7; Curwensville, 38-6 loss in Week 8).

TOP PLAYERS: Junior RB/LB Cole Gerber (897 yards rushing, 12 TDs); junior RB/LB Brock McCullough (542 yards, 6 TDs); junior QB/DB Mitchell Vallone (27-for-70, 394 yards, 4 TDs, 4 Ints.); junior RB/LB Joe McLaughlin (7 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TDs; leading tackler).

NOTABLE: The Crusaders don’t give up a lot of points and their 13.7 points per game allowed rank second in the district. They gave up 80 of their 123 points in losses to Brockway and Curwensville. ECC has been a tough out more than once in the postseason, including a four-overtime loss to Port Allegany last year.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 8/2010 (lost to Port Allegany in first round, 47-40, in 4 OT).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: None.

ABOUT THE CLARION BOBCATS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Larry Wiser

2011 RECORD: 6-4

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 2-0 (Union, 29-12 win in Week 3; Redbank Valley, 29-23 win in Week 5).

TOP PLAYERS: Junior RB/LB T.J. Armstrong (772 yards rushing, 10 TDs; leading tackler); RB/LB Marcus Smerker (301 yards, 4 TDs; 8 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TDs); WR/DB Camron Kirkland (297 yards, 4 TDs; 22 receptions, 424 yards, 3 TDs); RB/LB Damien Slike (190 yards, 1 TD; 11 receptions, 206 yards, 4 TDs); QB/DB Brandon Heeter (43-for-92, 808 yards, 10 TDs, 6 Ints.); senior G/LB Ian Matson.

NOTABLE: The Bobcats are giving up only 14.7 points per game despite coming off a 46-28 loss to Karns City in last week’s regular-season finale. That’s the most points the Bobcats have allowed since a 49-21 loss to Brockway way back in 1998.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 15/2010 (lost to Cameron County in opening round, 19-13).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 2/2009.

Curwensville (5) at Coudersport (4)

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at CARP Field, Coudersport

WINNER PLAYS: Clarion/Elk County Catholic winner in semifinals, Nov. 18 or 19

GAME NOTES: It’s a familiar matchup between longtime AML powers, but it’s a rivalry that been dominated by Coudersport. The Falcons have won all four playoff games against the Golden Tide — 2009 semifinals, 2006 finals, 2005 semifinals and 2001 finals — and 10 of 13 games overall since Curwensville joined the AML in 1999. They did not play each other during the regular season.

ABOUT THE CURWENSVILLE GOLDEN TIDE

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Andy Evanko

2011 RECORD: 7-2

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 1-2 (Port Allegany, 35-13 loss in Week 3; Brockway, 17-12 loss in Week 6; Elk County Catholic, 38-6 win in Week 8).

TOP PLAYERS: Senior RB/LB Alex Holland (2,063 yards, 24 TDs); junior QB/DB Hunter McCracken (40-or-86, 634 yards, 5 TDs, 7 Ints.); senior WR/LB Jesse Zorger (21 receptions, 390 yards, 4 TDs); junior WR/DB Jordan Russell (14 receptions, 209 yards, 1 TD); junior RB/DB Josh Greslick (182 yards rushing, 2 TDs).

NOTABLE: The Golden Tide had a unique ending to their regular season and will go into the playoffs with a two-week bye after a Week 9 forfeit win over Johnsonburg and an off week in Week 10. That rest could help their offense that is led by senior workhorse running back Alex Holland, who accounts for over 65 percent of the team’s offensive yardage. His 2,467 yards rushing leads the district and he’s 505 yards shy of tying the district’s all-time rushing leader Nick Sipes, another former Curwensville runner. The question is how many times Holland will get the ball in the playoffs. He’s averaging 32.9 carries per game this year and he ran the ball 37 times a game last year in the three district playoff games.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 9/last year (beat Port Allegany, 37-21, in finals and then lost to Farrell in state opener, 35-14.

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 3/Defending district champions.

ABOUT THE COUDERSPORT FALCONS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH:  Chris Fink

2011 RECORD: 8-1

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 2-1 (Elk County Catholic, 12-7 win in Week 3; Brockway, 21-10 win in Week 4; Port Allegany, 49-7 loss in Week 9).

TOP PLAYERS: Junior RB/LB Mitch Freeman (777 yards, 13 TDs); senior QB/DB Tim McCusker (34-for-97, 536 yards, 8 TDs, 5 Ints.); senior WR/DB Alex Hutcheson (7 receptions, 144 yards, 4 TDs); senior RB/LB Jason Gibson (19 receptions, 257 yards, 2 TDs); junior C/LB Ryan Counts (leading tackler); senior G/LB Zac Cumby (second-leading tackler).

NOTABLE: The Falcons have done it with defense and a power running game this year, although their unbeaten season came to an end with a thud two weeks ago in a blowout loss to Port Allegany. They gave up just 57 points in their first seven games before yielding 75 in their final two contests in a win over Otto-Eldred and the 49-7 loss in Week 9 to Port Allegany. The loss of Caden Whitman to a season-ending injury has stymied the Falcons a little as well.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 14/2009 (lost to Clarion in championship game, 7-0).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 4/2006.

Brockway (6) at Redbank Valley (3)

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at Redbank Valley H.S., New Bethlehem

WINNER PLAYS: Union/Port Allegany winner in semifinals Nov. 18 or 19

GAME NOTES: This will be just the second time that the former KSAC/Little 12 Conference rivals meet on the gridiron since Brockway left for the AML before the 1999 season and the second time they’ve met in the playoffs. Brockway beat Redbank Valley, 12-7, in the Class AA semifinals in 2005 and the Rovers also beat the Bulldogs, 31-21, in the 1998 Class AA semifinals when both were still in the KSAC.

ABOUT THE BROCKWAY ROVERS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Mike Pisarchick

2011 RECORD: 7-3

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 2-3 (Port Allegany, 40-30 loss in Week 2; Coudersport, 21-10 loss in Week 4; Curwensville, 17-12 win in Week 6; Elk County Catholic, 42-41 win in 2 OT in Week 7; and Port Allegany, 56-27 loss in AML title game).

TOP PLAYERS: Senior QB/DB Kyle Braun (26-for-63, 532 yards, 7 TDs, 5 Ints.; 984 yards rushing, 10 TDs), junior RB/LB Tom Vervoort (822 yards, 10 TDs), junior RB/LB Chad Melillo (434 yards, 3 TDs); senior RB/DB Levi Miller (12 receptions, 303 yards, 4 TDs).

NOTABLE: It’s been quite a shifting of gears for the Rovers, who returned to their traditional run-first offensive roots after the graduation of record-breaking quarterback Derek Buganza. First-year head coach Mike Pisarchick’s team has been able to run the ball effectively behind a veteran line. Quarterback Kyle Braun is on the verge of a 1,000-yard rushing season. He’s passed for 62 less yards than Buganza’s state-record 594 yards he threw for in one game against Otto-Eldred back in 2009.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 14/2010 (Class AA).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 4 (all in Class AA)/2010 (Class AA).

ABOUT THE REDBANK VALLEY BULLDOGS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH:  Frank Fabian

2011 RECORD: 6-4

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 1-1 (Union, 20-14 win in Week 1; Clarion, 29-23 loss in Week 5).

TOP PLAYERS: Freshman QB/LB Jake Dougherty (70-for-137 yards, 1,132 yards, 14 TDs, 9 Ints.), sophomore FB/LB Mark Strothers (774 yards, 7 TDs; 9 receptions, 191 yards, 5 TDs), senior RB/LB Kyle Lee (661 yards, 8 TDs), senior WR/LB Keaton Delp (116 yards, 1 TD; 23 receptions, 343 yards, 5 TDs), senior WR/DB Caleb Smith (136 yards, 2 TDs; 24 receptions, 474 yards, 3 TDs).

NOTABLE: The Bulldogs had to do some soul-searching after a 2-4 start to the season, but managed to turn things around with four straight wins. Last week’s 20-7 win over Brookville was the most impressive over that streak and the Bulldogs will try to build on that momentum against Brockway. Dougherty has had a good rookie season and is on the short list for the web site’s Rookie of the Year award.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 14 (9 Class AA, 5 Class A/2010 (lost to Port Allegany in semifinals, 24-17).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 3 (3 Class AA/1996 (Class AA).

Union (7) at Port Allegany (2)

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, Nov. 12, 1:30 p.m. at Port Allegany H.S.

WINNER PLAYS: Brockway/Redbank Valley winner in semifinals Nov. 18 or 19

GAME NOTES: If you compare the team’s one comment opponent — Sheffield — one has to wonder how this game will play out. Union crushed the Wolverines last week, 60-21, while Port Allegany slipped by Sheffield, 19-6, in Week 7. Nonetheless, it’s hard not to call the Gators the pre-tournament favorite with junior quarterback Matt Bodamer leading the way. But don’t overlook the Knights, who not only beat up Sheffield but have a quality win over St. Marys in Week 8.

ABOUT THE UNION GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Dave Louder

2011 RECORD: 7-3

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 0-2 (Redbank Valley, 20-14 loss in Week 1; Clarion, 29-12 loss in Week 3).

TOP PLAYERS: Senior QB/DB Taylor Smith (70-for-126, 1,198 yards, 15 TDs, 4 Ints.; 551 yards rushing, 5 TDs), senior RB/LB Austin Davis (534 yards, 7 TDs; 10 receptions, 91 yards), senior RB/LB Mikey Harris (364 yards, 5 TDs), senior WR/DB Brody Pollock (29 receptions, 490 yards, 8 TDs), junior WR/DB Aaron Graham (13 receptions, 218 yards, 2 TDs).

NOTABLE: The Knights haven’t been this good since going 9-1 in 1985, losing in the Little 12 Conference Championship game to Redbank Valley. Smith has been the playmaker all season and also leads the team in rushing. They’ve won six of their final seven games and allowed double figures in scoring by their opponents just twice. Union’s other quality win this year was against District 10’s Saegertown, a playoff team, in a 30-14 win at Saegertown in Week 2.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: None

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: No titles.

ABOUT THE PORT ALLEGANY GATORS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Mike Bodamer

2011 RECORD: 9-1

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 4-1 (Brockway, 40-30 win in Week 2; Curwensville, 35-13 win in Week 3; Elk County Catholic, 25-19 loss in Week 4; Coudersport, 49-7 win in Week 9; Brockway, 56-27 win in AML title game).

TOP PLAYERS: Junior QB/DB Matt Bodamer (166-for-247, 2,639 yards, 33 TDs, 5 Ints.; 541 yards rushing, 11 TDs), junior RB/LB Trent Neal (537 yards, 9 TDs; 23 receptions, 406 yards, 6 TDs), junior RB/DB Trey Miller (222 yards, 4 TDs), junior WR/DB Tyce Miller (49 receptions, 878 yards, 13 TDs), WR/DB Charlie Buchanan (48 receptions, 654 yards, 9 TDs), junior TE/DL Rickie Bova (27 receptions, 507 yards, 3 TDs), senior WR/DB Trevor Neal (23 receptions, 406 yards, 6 TDs).

NOTABLE: The Gators won their first AML title since 1988 and they’ll take another crack at winning their first district title. They lost their fifth title game last year in a 37-21 loss to Curwensville. Bodamer has been throwing darts all season, so he’ll try to help extend the Gators’ season with a strong offense that has been pretty much unstoppable. At 5,870 career yards, he’s within range of becoming just the fourth district quarterback to reach the 6,000-yard milestone. Clearfield’s Chad Kroell is third all-time at 6,088 yards. How far the Gators go will also depend on the defense, which has allowed 17 points per game. They’ll go into the playoffs on a six-game winning streak.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 10 (7 Class A, 3 Class AA/2010 (lost to Curwensville in championship game, 37-21).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: None.