By Andy Close

The Port Allegany Gators are entering uncharted waters.

Fresh off their first District title in school history, they will now try for their first PIAA playoff victory against the District 10 champion Sharpsville Blue Devils.

Port Allegany knocked off Clarion 35-34 last week, while Sharpsville held on to beat West Middlesex 21-13 to put both teams into the PIAA quarterfinals.

This game certainly will be a contrast in styles. Sharpsville features a well-balanced attack that relies heavily upon a big offensive line that has pushed opponents around all season. Defensively the Blue Devils are stout, averaging just 7.8 points per game on the season.

Something that will work to the advantage of the Gators is the fact that Sharpsville has not faced a team all season that likes to spread the field and pass the football more than they run.

Junior QB Matt Bodamer and his wide array of weapons will test Sharpsville’s defense in a way that no team has all season. Bodamer, who has completed 67.1 percent of his passes, is closing in on some impressive milestones. His 46 touchdown passes put him three behind Clearfield’s Chad Kroell (1994) for the District 9 single-season record and four behind Kyle Smith (2009) of Lancaster Catholic for the state record. He also has thrown for 3,530 yards, putting him 294 yards behind Brockway’s Derek Buganza ( 3,823, 2009) for the single-season District 9 and PIAA yardage mark.

At Bodamer’s disposal are five receivers who are capable of stretching the field. Junior Tyce Miller leads the way with 69 catches for 1,201 yards and 15 scores. He will most likely draw the assignment of Sharpsville’s top cover corner, Dersean Alberty-Brown. Charlie Buchanan has 60 catches for 790 yards and 13 touchdowns, tight end Rickie Bova has 41 grabs for 666 yards and four scores, 6’ 4” Trevor Neal 31 catches for 603 yards and Nick Conway has 12 grabs for 162 yards and five scores.

If that’s not enough, the Blue Devils will have to contend with Bodamer’s legs, as he has rushed for a team high 691 yards and 12 touchdowns while constantly keeping plays alive. There is also the option of turning around and handing off to Trent Neal, who has rushed for 653 yards and nine scores.

Conversely, the Gators will have to deal with the most balanced offensive team they have faced all year. Fullback Spencer Bland paves the way for Sharpsville’s ground game, rushing for a team high 1,105 yards and 15 touchdowns. Alberty-Brown is also a force on the ground, amassing 819 yards and 14 scores, an average of 8.8 yards per carry. Those two back figure to keep linebackers Alex Gular (105 tackles), Brock Taylor (101 tackles) and the rest of the Port defense on their toes.

Senior quarterback Jake Henwood provides Sharpsville with a steadying force when they go to the air. He has thrown for 1,048 yards, 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Henwood will be without the services of leading receiver Joey Flynn, who was lost for the season to a torn ACL. Flynn had 412 yards receiving and eight scores, while also amassing 551 yards on the ground. Tyler Luchey, who has 22 catches for 402 yards and eight scores, will pick up the slack on the receiving end.

Expect a competitive, close game as the Gators attempt to become the first District 9 Class A team to win a state playoff game since Kane beat Mercyhurst Prep 12-7 in 2007.

NOTES – District 9 has had success in the Class A PIAA playoffs vs. District 10 going 10-11 all-time including 5-5 in the last decade. District 10 has won three straight – all by Farrell with the last District 9 team to win being Kane, 12-7, over Mercyhurst Prep in 2007. That ended a stretch that saw District 9 win five of six from 2002-2007 … Sharpsville is 3-2 in the PIAA playoffs against District 9 beating Coudersport in 2001, Curwensville in 2000 and Clarion in 1997 and losing to Curwensville in 2004 and Cameron County in 1999.