2012 DISTRICT 9 CLASS A PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

Predications

By Chris Rossetti

It’s a seven-team field in District 9 Class A this year after Coudersport earned the No. 8 seed but declined to go to the postseason with a 3-6 record. That means pre-seeded No. 1 Port Allegany will get a bye into the semifinals.

The Gators (10-0) will be looking to make their third straight appearance in the title game this year after winning last year’s title and falling in 2010. Port Allegany would be just the third school to make at least three straight appearances in the title game joining Clarion-Limestone, which did it twice (1990-93 going 2-2 and 2002-2004 going 2-1) and Smethport (1994-98 going 3-2). The Gators are also looking to be the first back-to-back champion since Coudersport in 2005-2006.

Port’s biggest challenge may come from fellow unbeaten Clarion (10-0), which fell by a single point, 35-34, to the Gators in last year’s title game. The Bobcats are looking for back-to-back appearances in the title game for the second time in the last five years. If the Bobcats, who are seeded second and host seventh-seeded Smethport Friday night, make the title game it would be their fourth title-game trip in those five years having gone 1-2 so far winning the title in 2009.

A Port Allegany-Clarion rematch would also be the first rematch in a title game since 1991 and 1992 when Smethport beat C-L both times, and it would be the first title game featuring unbeatens since Curwensville topped Clarion in 2000.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, the other five teams could make waves including one-loss Union, which was tied at halftime with Clarion in the regular season before falling 28-7.

The fourth-seeded Golden Knights (9-1) will be hosting their first-ever District 9 playoff game Friday when they entertain Elk County Catholic (7-2).

The six-three game is also a rematch, as third-seeded Brockway (8-2), whose only two losses have come in blowout fashion to Port Allegany, hosts Curwensville (7-2), which lost to the Rovers 56-34 in a wild affair at the beginning of October.

Port Allegany - Bye

 WHEN/WHERE: Bye

 WINNER PLAYS: Elk County Catholic/Union winner in semifinals Nov. 16 or 17 at a neutral site.

ABOUT THE PORT ALLEGANY GATORS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Mike Bodamer

2012 RECORD: 10-0

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 3-0 (Smethport, won 48-0 in Week 6; Brockway, won 55-20 in Week 9; Brockway, won 54-7 in Week 10 in AML Title game)

TOP PLAYERS: Senior QB/DB Matt Bodamer (D9’s leading passer – 167 of 226, 2,937 yards, 44 TDs, 3 Ints; He is the all-time leading passer in PIAA history with 9,934 career yards while also being the PIAA’s all-time leader in TD passes with 129; Has also rushed for 533 yards, 11 TDs; Has also rushed for 2,007 career yards and 38 TDs; One defense has 4 Ints and 21 tackles while scoring 4 times on defense this year); Senior WR/CB Tyce Miller (D9’s leading receiver with 57 catches for 1,071 yards, 15 TDs; D9’s all-time leading TD receiver with 33 on 155 catches for 2,711 career cards; Has had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons); Senior WR/CB Nick Conway (D9’s 2^nd leading receiver with 51 catches for 1,028 yards, 19 TDs; Has 26 career TDs on 69 catches for 1,272 yards); RB/LB Trent Neal (575 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 4^th in tackles with 32); Senior G/LB Alex Gular (3-year starter on line; Leads team with 80 tackles); Senior OT/DT Nick Budd (3-year starter on line; Leads team with 7 sacks; Adds 29 tackles). 

NOTABLE: The Gators have been one of the best teams in the state on both sides of the football averaging 53.4 points a game and 485,8 yards per contest on offense while allowing 10.8 points per game. They haven’t been tested having Mercy Ruled 9 of their 10 opponents this season with the closest game being a 26-pont (42-16) win over Otto-Eldred that was 42-0 at one point … The Gators had an unbeaten regular season for the first time since 1988 when they were 9-0. They are 10-0 for the first time since 1988 (finished 10-1). The 1986 team finished 10-0 while in 1980 the Gators were 8-0-1. Other unbeaten season for Port Allegany were in 1968 (9-0), 1967 (9-0), 1953 (8-0-1), 1945 (7-0),, 1924 (10-0) and 1909 (5-0).

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 11 (8 Class A, 3 Class AA/2011 (Beat Clarion in championship game 35-34; Lost to Sharpsville 35-33 in first round of PIAA playoffs).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 1/Defending champions

Elk County Catholic (5) at Union (4)

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Vidunas Stadium, Rimersburg

WINNER PLAYS: Port Allegany in semifinals, Nov. 16 or 17 at a neutral site

GAME NOTES: This is the first meeting between these schools but playing a team from Clarion County is nothing new to Elk County Catholic. Points could be at premium in Rimersburg, as ECC is allowing 12.1 points per game with two shutouts while allowing 12 or fewer points in seven of its nine games. Union, meanwhile, is giving up 13.2 points per contest with one shutout and has held five of its 10 opponents to six or less points.

ABOUT THE ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Travis Skrzypek

2012 RECORD: 7-2

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 2-1 (Smethport, won 33-6 in Week 1; Brockway, lost 44-22 in Week 7; Curwensville, won 13-12 in Week 8).

TOP PLAYERS: Senior RB/DB Brock McCullough (128 carries, 887 yards, 7 TDs; 7 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD; 30 tackles, 1 Int on defense); Senior QB /DB Mitchell Vallone (47 of 95, 678 yards, 7 TDs, 4 Ints; 4 rushing TDs; 60 tackles, 1 Int on defense); Senior RB/DE Hank Cappiello (79 carries, 580 yards, 6 TDs; 58 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 Int on defense); Senior SE/DB Clayton Housler (17 catches, 326 yards, 4 TDs; 28 tackles, 5 Ints on defense). 

NOTABLE: This is the ninth time the Crusaders who have made the District 9 playoffs and it marks the eighth time they will face a team from Clarion County in the postseason and the second straight year. Playing Clarion County teams has not been kind to ECC, as the Crusaders are 1-6 all-time in those postseason games with the lone win coming in the first one over Clarion-Limestone in 1995. Also traveling to Clarion County for is nothing new for ECC, as the Crusaders have played six of their nine postseason games in Clarion County going 1-5 all-time with the win over C-L in 1995. ECC is hoping to get past its first-round heartbreakers. Two years ago, the Crusaders lost a four-overtime game to Port Allegany, and last year ECC saw a 20-0 fourth-quarter lead slip through its hands at Clarion.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 9/2011 (lost to Clarion in first round, 22-20).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: None

ABOUT THE UNION GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH:  Dave Louder

2012 RECORD: 9-1

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 0-1 (Clarion, 28-7 loss in Week 5)

TOP PLAYERS: Senior QB/SS Brody Shick (52 of 133, 996 yards, 12 TDs, 6 Ints; 58 tackles, 10 interceptions on defense); Senior WB/CB Kaden McGregor (50 carries, 432 yards, 9 TDs; 13 catches, 215 yards, 4 TDs; 47 tackles, 3 ½ sacks on defense);  Senior HB/LB Keenan Rankin (48 carries, 254 yards, 2 TDs; 13 catches, 253 yards, 5 TDs; 49 tackles, 1 interception on defense);  Senior WR/CB Aaron Graham (15 catches, 418 yards, 4 TDs; 56 tackles, 3 Ints; 3 fumbles caused on defense); Senior FB Cody Kline (117 carries, 468 yards, 2 TDs); Senior LB Travis Daugherty (87 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception); Sophomore DE Tyler Wiser (81 tackles, 3 ½ sacks).    

NOTABLE: The Golden Knights are making their second straight appearance in the postseason and their second D9 playoff appearance. This will be the first-ever home District 9 playoff game for Union. The 9-1 record is Union’s best since going 9-1 in 1985. The Golden Knights haven’t won a postseason game since beating Redbank Valley 34-12 in the Little 12 Conference Championship game in 1984.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 1/2011 (lost to Port Allegany, 37-8, in the first round).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: None

Curwensville (6) at Brockway (3)

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Varischetti Field in Brockway 

WINNER PLAYS: Smethport/Clarion winner in semifinals Nov. 16 or 17

GAME NOTES: This is a rematch of a Week 6 game won in wild fashion 56-34 by Brockway. The Rovers led 35-0 before Curwensville closed to within 41-34 at the end of the third quarter. Brockway, though, scored the game’s final 14 points. The game featured 844 total yards of offense including 571 on the ground. Chad Melillo scored three touchdowns for the Rovers and rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns while catching 2 passes for 54 yards and a score. Alec Shaffer-Doan was 9 of 13 for 186 yards and four touchdowns with an interception for Brockway with Jacob Perrin catching three passes for 68 yards and two scores. Curwensville was led by Zach Tibbens who rushed for 166 yards and four touchdowns … These two teams have been two of the most successful in District 9 since the turn of the millennium winning a combined 193 games with a 70.1 percent combined winning percentage. They have also combined to win seven District 9 titles with Brockway taking home four Class AA championships and Curwensville winning three Class A titles … Since 2000, the teams have met 13 times with Curwensville winning eight and Brockway five, but the Rovers have won the last three meetings since Curwensville’s 32-19 win in 2009. The Golden Tide have also lost two in a row in Brockway last winning at Varischetti field in 2008 (42-27).

ABOUT THE CURWENSVILLE GOLDEN TIDE

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Andy Evanko

2012 RECORD: 7-2

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 1-2 (Smethport, 42-13 win in Week 3; Brockway, 56-34 loss in Week 6; Elk County Catholic, 13-12 loss in Week 8)

TOP PLAYERS: Junior RB Zach Tibbens (165 carries, 1,290 yards, 17 TDs; Ranked 3^rd in D9 in rushing); SR RB/LB Josh Greslick (139 carries, 904 yards, 9 TDs; 29 tackles, 1 interception on defense); Senior QB/DB Hunter McCracken (63 of 101, 865 yards, 10 TDs, 9 Ints); Senior SE/DB Jordan Russell (48 catches, 603 yards, 9 touchdowns; Ranks 7^th in D9 in receiving; 14 tackles on defense); Senior RB/LB Brad Coudriet (259 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 45 tackles, 1 interception on defense).

NOTABLE: The Golden Tide are making their ninth straight District 9 Class A playoff appearance, tying the longest streak in Class A in District 9 history (Coudersport 2001-2009). 

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 10/2011 (lost to Coudersport, 28-27, in first round)

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 3/2010

ABOUT THE BROCKWAY ROVERS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Frank Zocco

2012 RECORD: 8-2

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 2-2 (Curwensville, 56-34 win in Week 6; Elk County Catholic, 44-22 in Week 7; Port Allegany, 55-20 loss in Week 9; Port Allegany, 54-7 loss in Week 10 in AML Title game).

TOP PLAYERS: Junior QB Alec Shaffer-Doan (136 of 231, 2,054 yards, 24 TDs, 13 Ints; 2 rushing TDs); Senior RB Chad Melillo (193 carries, 1,174 yards, 17 TDs; 9 catches, 161 yards, 1 TDs); Sophomore WR Anthony Benson (31 catches, 600 yards, 7 TDs; 47 carries, 301 yards, 4 TDs); Senior WR Jacob Perrin (58 catches, 860 yards, 10 TDs).

NOTABLE: The Rovers are making their 14^th postseason appearance in the last 15 years with the first12 coming in Class AA … This is the fourth straight postseason showing for Brockway with the last three coming under three different head coaches. The shift in the Rovers offense has been interesting over the last three years. Two years ago, the Rovers were a spread team with record-setting quarterback Derek Buganza but could also run the ball with Mike Vervoort. Last year, Brockway went back to a tradition run-first offense before going back to a bigger passing attack this year with junior Alec Shaffer-Doan with an emphasis on the run with senior Chad Melillo … Brockway as 8-0 and rolling along before running into the Port Allegany machine the last two weeks and being outscored 109-27 … Defense has been missing in the last few weeks for the Rovers as they have allowed 20 or more points in five straight games and in six of the last seven.  

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 15/2011 (Class A – Went 1-1 with win over Redbank Valley, 24-10, and loss to Port Allegany, 49-21).

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

Smethport (7) at Clarion (2)

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium

WINNER PLAYS: Curwensville/Brockway winner in semifinals Nov. 16 or 17 at neutral site

GAME NOTES: This is the fifth time the Hubbers and Bobcats have met in the postseason but the first time since 1999. The teams have split their first four postseason meetings with Smethport winning a pair of semifinal games (6-0 in 1995; 55-14 in 1998). Clarion beat the Hubbers, 7-3, in the 1997 Class A title game and, 28-21, in the 1999 semifinals. This will be the second time Smethport makes the trip to Clarion with the Hubbers losing the 1999 semifinal game at the old high school field. 

ABOUT THE SMETHPORT HUBBERS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Jim Berlin

2012 RECORD: 4-5

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 0-3 (Elk County Catholic, 33-6 loss in Week 1; Curwensville, 42-13 loss in Week 3; Port Allegany, 48-0 loss in Week 6).

TOP PLAYERS: Senior QB Clay Schuler (150 carries, 1,011 yards, 11 TDs; 28 of 80, 531 yards, 5 TDs, 4 Ints; 36 tackles, 2 interceptions on defense); Senior RB Karl Lightner (101 carries, 489 yards, 5 TDs; 14 catches 208 yards, 1 TD; 79 tackles, 2 interceptions on defense); WR Ryan Corbett (8 catches, 261 yards, 3 TDs); RB Ryan Stratton (49 carries, 185 yards, 3 TDs; 94 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions on defense).

NOTABLE: Once a perennial District 9 playoff team (11 appearances between 1989-2001 with 6 titles), Smethport is making just its third playoff appearance since 2002 and just its second since 2005 … The Hubbers haven’t fared well against playoff teams this year losing all three games by a combined score of 123-19. Meanwhile, Smethport’s four wins have come against teams with a combined record of 10-29, and Smethport lost to three-win Ridgway in its regular-season finale two weeks ago.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 13/2010 (29-18 loss to Curwensville in first round).

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 6 (5 Class A, 1 Class AA)/1998 (Class A).

ABOUT THE CLARION BOBCATS

Roster; Stats; Schedule

HEAD COACH: Larry Wiser

2011 RECORD: 10-0

RECORD VS. PLAYOFF FIELD: 1-0 (Union, 28-7 win in Week 5)

TOP PLAYERS: Senior RB/LB T.J. Armstrong (780 yards, 14 TDs; 3 receiving TDs; 79 tackles, 5 sacks, 20 ½ TFLs); Senior WB/DB Camron Kirkland (584 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 22 catches, 435 yards, 4 TDs; 2 punt returns for TDs, 1 defense TD; 30 tackles, 2 Ints on defense); Junior RB/LB Damien Slike (608 yards rushing, 7 TDs; 72 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 interception on defense); Junior QB John Katis (65 of 118 for 1,246 yards, 18 TDs, 6 interceptions; 2 rushing TDs); Junior WR/DB Cody Hearst (26 catches, 572 yards, 7 TDs; 56 tackles, 3 interceptions on defense); Sophomore RB/DL Ian Corbett (316 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 53 tackles, 7 sacks on defense).

NOTABLE: Clarion is 10-0 for the third time in school history and for the first time since 2000. The Bobcats have never been 11-0. It is the sixth time in school history Clarion has been unbeaten … Clarion is having one of the best passing seasons in school history, as junior receiver Cody Hearst has already set the school single-season record for receiving yards with 572, while junior quarterback John Katis needs 17 yards to tie the school record of 1,263 yards set in 1968 by Drew Zwald … Clarion, which lost to Port Allegany in the D9 Class A title game last year, is looking to make it to the title game for the fourth time in five years … The Bobcats have the top defense in District 9 allowing 9.4 points per game, but they also have the third-highest scoring team in District 9 at 43.8 ppg.

PREVIOUS DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES/LAST: 16/2011 (lost to Port Allegany, 35-34, in championship game after beating Elk County Catholic, 22-20, in first round and Coudersport, 27-7, in semifinals.

DISTRICT TITLES/LAST TITLE: 2/2009.