Predications

By Rich Rhoades

HYDE — It’s funny how things play out.

In the battle for the second seed in the District 9 Class AAA playoffs, it was Bradford that edged Punxsutawney for the right to take on the unbeaten Clearfield Bison. The district’s usage of schedule points (classification of opponents) even against teams not defeated allowed the Owls to outscore the Chucks.

However, the Owls had to beat the Bison last week to get into the real playoffs, the four-team District 5-6-8-9 Regional Tournament that went with the traditional PIAA ranking system that awards points to teams for beating opponents and getting rewarded for how many wins those teams have.

To put it in simpler terms, the Bison would have played the Chucks in the District 9 finals last week had the district used the same format as the regional setup. But, they get to play each other this week instead, when it really matters. Last week’s game allowed the district to crown its own champion and the game also counted toward the regional point standings for seeding purposes.

Friday’s kickoff at the Bison Sports Complex is at 7 p.m.

The winner of the Bison-Chucks game advances to next week’s regional final against the winner of the University Prep-Somerset game at a site and time to be announced. Prep and Somerset square off at Cupples Stadium in Pittsburgh, also Friday at 7 p.m.

The 10-0 Bison had an easy time with Bradford last week in a 49-0 rout while Chucks slipped to 5-5 with a 27-21 non-conference loss at Northern Bedford.

It’s the first time the teams have meet in the postseason since playing each other for the D9 title in 2009 and 2010. The Chucks won 34-28 in 2009 for their second district championship while the Bison returned the favor in 2010 with a 26-14 win. Clearfield beat Punxsutawney for the Class AAA title in 2002 and the Class AAAA crown back in 1994.

However, this game isn’t for any titles, just a chance to move on in the early postseason phase. Clearfield enjoyed its seventh unbeaten regular season and first since 2010 when the Bison advanced deep into the postseason before losing in the PIAA quarterfinals to eventual state champion Allentown Central Catholic.

While this Bison squad under veteran head coach Tim Janocko, the district’s winningest coach, has some work to do to get to that point, it has the playmakers to lead the way. Junior quarterback Christian Lezzer is the fifth-leading rusher in the district with 1,167 yards and 19 touchdowns. Despite throwing just 73 passes all season, he’s racked up 1,129 yards with 16 touchdowns to go against five interceptions. He’s completed 61.6 percent of his passes with the average completion going 25 yards.

Lezzer also leads the team with 9 ½ sacks from his outside linebacker spot on defense.

The Bison also have junior running back Tyler Stratton over 1,000 yards rushing with 1,041 and 12 touchdowns. Senior receiver Trey Jordan is closing in on four digits with 25 catches for 856 yards and 14 of the team’s TD receptions.

Defensively, Jordan leads the team with four interceptions. Senior Seth Ford and junior Corey Stiver, from their linebacker spots, are the team’s top tacklers at 9.5 and 7.5 stops per game.

Punxsutawney, coached by Alan Nichol, comes into Friday losers in three of its last four games, including a tight 17-14 loss to Karns City in Week 7 and a 42-0 loss to unbeaten Clarion in Week 8.

The Chucks have a balanced running game featuring two backs over 600 yards. Senior Jamie Bush (823 yards, 7 TDs) and junior Christian Falgout (674 yards, 8 TDs) do most of the work out of the backfield.

Senior quarterback Garrett Zimmerman has thrown for 896 yards with 12 touchdowns. He’s finishing up a two-year stint as the Chucks’ starter with 2,247 career yards and 24 touchdowns. Last year, he threw for 1,351 yards and 12 scores.

Zimmerman’s receiving group is balanced with four players over 150 yards led by junior receiver Clayton Dale (19 catches, 256 yards). Senior tight end Alex Bevak (14 catches, 220 yards), Bush (12 catches, 181 yards, 4 TDs) and sophomore Dakota Byers (8 catches, 165 yards, 3 TDs) are all threats.

Defensively, Zimmerman leads the team in tackles (6.4 per game) from his strong safety position. Bush, at linebacker is the second leading tackler (6.3). Falgout has three interceptions from his safety spot.

NOTES: Next week’s regional champion advances to play the District 4 champion Nov. 23 or 24. … Janocko, in his 28^th season, enters Friday’s game with a 215-94 record. In the postseason, his teams were 15-19 going into this year. … Offensive yardage per-game averages: Punxsutawney (89.6 pass, 188.4 rush, 278 total), Clearfield (116.3 pass, 267.2 rush, 383.5 total).