2012 DISTRICT 9  SEASON PREVIEW

By Rich Rhoades

There’s no better way to get ready for the District 9 football season than to read a massive 5,000-word preview. So enjoy. I don’t recommend taking it all in at once. It’s too much.

But you can’t deny that an update on your favorite team or conference will help you pick those games at a better rate this year. Among the D9Sports.Com experts, it was Andy Close who had a magical year of picking, a career year for sure, when he guessed right on an impressive 84.2 percent of his picks. It was the best mark since, well, the year before when I turned in a sparking rate of 84.9 percent.

But enough about us experts and what happened last year. What’s new for this year? As far as head coaches in the district, five are new — Todd Silfies (Kane), Frank Zocco (Brockway), Brad Dittman (Sheffield), Jim Berlin (Smethport) and Ed Wasilowski (Redbank Valley), although Wasilowski is back after a five-year hiatus following a 12-year stint.

It’s also customary to address the injustices of high school football in some form from time to time. That’s our job as a sports writer to a point, isn’t it? My suggestion this year is to make mandatory that games be played on artificial turf starting October 1. District 9 now has five facilities with fake grass and they’re placed strategically to where no team has to travel that far to get to one.

Thanks to the Bison Sports Complex for laying down new turf, there are fields that are mud-proof in Clearfield, Bradford, Brockway, Clarion and Karns City, which just re-did its turf over the summer. The postseason policy of game venues has been moving to turf-only facilities anyway and isn’t the goal of every team to make the playoffs?

Of course, many games would need to be scheduled for neutral-site games. The details, I’m sure, could be worked out.

To answer the old-school critics on the value of playing in mud, we aren’t as tough as we were years ago. Let’s save some wear-and-tear on those expensive uniforms and avoid the mud.

Just a though.

This week’s season-opening schedule has 15 games, 14 of them on Friday with the lone Saturday matchup coming at night at Dutch Country Stadium when Elk County Catholic hosts Smethport in an Allegheny Mountain League game.

Of the 14 Friday night games, the headliner games appear to be Curwensville’s trip to Coudersport in a rematch of their Class A first-round playoff game played there last year. The Falcons are 13-3 against the Tide since Curwensville joined the AML. The Tide’s last win over the Falcons came in 2008 at Coudersport.

Also in the AML in what’s a crossover division matchup week, defending AML and Class A champion Port Allegany visits Johnsonburg, Otto-Eldred hosts Ridgway, Kane hosts Sheffield and Brockway visits Cameron County.

In the KSAC-Large School Division, it looks to be an interesting title race and two division games coming right off the bat will set the tone. Brookville travels to Punxsutawney in a Route 36 Trophy game and Karns City heads to St. Marys. Defending division and Class AA champion Moniteau opens with a non-conference game at District 10’s Sharpsville.

The KSAC-Small School Division is in full action with Clarion-Limestone visiting Clarion at Clarion University, Union hosting A-C Valley and Redbank Valley traveling to Keystone.

Elsewhere, DuBois and Bradford, now both members of District 10 Region 5, open with non-conference games. The Beavers travel to Mifflin County while the Owls take on longtime rival Olean N.Y. for what will be their 115^th meeting. Clearfield also has a non-conference meeting against St. Joan of Arc Catholic of from Canada.

Teams to Watch/Favorites

Allegheny Mountain League: Defending champion Port Allegany should have no problem winning the North Division while it’s not so clear in the South where it could e a lot like last year. Defending champion Brockway, Curwensville and Elk County Catholic, and perhaps Kane should make it an interesting race.

KSAC Large School: Even though Karns City lost its 1,000-yard back Glenn Toy to a season-ending knee injury, don’t write off the Gremlins. However, it could be the difference in what could be a tight race. Defending champion Moniteau still has some playmakers back despite the loss of all-starter Kyle Armagost. St. Marys (Cody Baker) and Brookville (Zach Vroman and Brodie Zacherl) have their top running backs returning and Punxsutawney has its 1,300-yard quarterback Garrett Zimmerman running the show again.

KSAC-Small School: It’s been Clarion and Redbank Valley at the 1-2 positions in the division since the format was set up two years ago. Look for it to be the same way again with the Bobcats the big favorites to win a third straight division title. Union could nip at Redbank Valley’s heels for the runner-up spot.

Others: Bradford and DuBois are now in the same District 10 Region 5 division and the Beavers could be the class of the division along with Meadville and possibly Slippery Rock. Clearfield will try to win its third straight division title, although it’s a bigger setup than the last two years when it was a four-team Allegheny Division of the league. Now it is one big eight-team division.

Playoff format/calendar

Class A

Total Teams (17): A-C Valley, Brockway, Cameron County, Clarion, Clarion-Limestone, Coudersport, Curwensville, Elk County Catholic, Johnsonburg, Keystone, Otto-Eldred, Port Allegany, Redbank Valley, Ridgway, Smethport, Sheffield and Union.

Maximum number of teams in playoffs: 8

Selection process: The AML will have four teams guaranteed spots while the KSAC is assured two teams. The final two teams will be selected as “at large” teams. Various qualification criteria apply.

Pre-seeded bracket (top to bottom): First round has AML-1 vs. No. 2 At-Large, KSAC-2 vs. AML-4, AML-2 vs. AML-3 and KSAC-1 vs. No. 1 At-Large.

Playoff schedule: Week 11 first round (Nov. 9-10), Week 12 semifinals (Nov. 16-17), Week 13 Championship (Nov. 23-24). Winner advances to state playoffs in Week 14 (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) against District 10 champion.

Playoff teams last year: Clarion, Port Allegany, Brockway, Coudersport, Union, Redbank Valley, Curwensville and Elk County Catholic.

The Skinny: Port Allegany edged Clarion for the title last year and the Gators have their quarterback Matt Bodamer back from a fantastic season. He has enough talent returning around him to expect video game numbers once again for the Gators. But don’t sell the Bobcats short. All-stater T.J. Armstrong and his teammates will give the Gators all they can handle, assuming they meet again in the finals. And they probably will.

Class AA

Total Teams (5): Brookville, Karns City, Moniteau, Kane and St. Marys.

Maximum number of teams in playoffs: 4

Selection process: Criteria and seeding based on the PIAA Ranking System.

Playoff schedule: Week 11 semifinals (Nov. 9-10), Week 12 Championship (Nov. 16-17). Winner advances to state playoffs in Week 13 (Nov. 23-24) against the District 5-8 champion.

Playoff teams last year: Moniteau, Karns City, Brookville and Sheffield.

The Skinny: The addition of Kane and St. Marys to Class AA this year will make it more difficult to make the playoffs. With four teams playing in the same KSAC Large School Division, what happens there will obviously go a long way in figuring things out. Kane plays in the Allegheny Mountain League’s South Division and the Wolves will be tangling with good teams like Curwensville, Brockway and Elk County along with the best two teams in the AML-North in Coudersport and Port Allegany, so the Wolves will have a tough task in cracking a top four playoff position. Whoever wins the KSAC Large will win Class AA.

Class AAA

Total Teams (3): Bradford, Clearfield and Punxsutawney.

Maximum number of teams in playoffs: 2

Selection process: PIAA ranking system.

Playoff schedule: Week 10 Championship game (Nov. 2-3). Winner advances to regional tournament with Districts 5, 6 and 8 in Weeks 11-12 (Nov. 9-10 and 16-17) with winner advancing to play the District 4 champion Nov. 23-24.

Playoff teams last year: Clearfield and St. Marys.

The Skinny: It’s still a two-team setup for the title with the winner advancing to play the District 6 champion. Clearfield is the hands-down favorite. Who the Bison will play in the championship game is another question. Neither team is certain of a winning season, although the Chucks play an easier schedule even with Bradford moving into District 10 Region 5.

Class AAAA

Total Teams (4): DuBois (District 9), State College, Mifflin County and Central Mountain (District 6)

Maximum number of teams in playoffs: 4

Selection process: PIAA ranking system.

Playoff schedule: Week 11 semifinals (Nov. 9-10), Week 12 Championship (Nov. 16-17). Winner advances to state playoffs in Week 13 (Nov. 23-24) against District 8-10 champion at a District 8 or 10 site.

The Skinny: The Beavers lost to State College in last year’s playoff opener and still seek to win their first postseason game since 1996. They’ve been 0-9 over the past 16 seasons.

Players to Watch

(Alphabetical order)

Andrew Armagost, Moniteau: PA Football News Class AA Second Team linebacker.

T.J. Armstrong, Clarion: He was The Rehab Centre D9Sports.Com District 9 Defensive Player of the Year and a PA Football News and PA Sports Writers First Team linebacker to go along with a 1,000-yard rushing season.

Cody Baker, St. Marys: Rushed for over 1,200 yards to lead the Flying Dutchmen.

Matt Bodamer, Port Allegany: His passing numbers as a junior were staggering — 3,766 yards passing with a district-tying 49 touchdowns while rushing for 758 yards. He enters the season with a whopping 6,997 yards passing with 85 touchdowns against just 20 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,474 career yards and 27 scores. Only Brockway’s Derek Buganza (9,752 yards, 95 TDs) has better passing numbers in district history than Bodamer and both of those numbers are reachable. Naturally, Bodamer was a consensus Class A First Team All-State player and the District 9 Offensive Player of the Year.

Nick Budd, Port Allegany: PA Football News Class A Second Team offensive lineman.

Jake Dougherty, Redbank Valley: The District 9 Rookie of the Year after passing for over 1,100 yards as a freshman.

Philip Esposito, Brockway: Earned both PA Football News and PA Sportswriters all-state status as a Class AA Second Team kicker.

Dustin Geagan, Moniteau: He rushed for over 1,500 yards for the Class AA champion Warriors.

Christian Lezzer, Clearfield: One of the top athletes in the district moves to quarterback after leading the Bison in receiving and ranking second in rushing last year.

Tyce Miller, Port Allegany: A consensus Class AA First Team All-State receiver after catching 74 Bodamer passes for over 1,200 yards.

Brody Shick, Union: PA Football News Class A Third Team defensive back. He’s moving to quarterback this year on offense.

Spencer Smeal, Curwensville: PA Football News Class A First Team offensive lineman.

Tom Vervoort, Brockway: Rushed for over 1,100 yards for the Rovers.

Team-By-Team Reports

Below are team-by-team previews with information gleaned from area publications The Courier-Express, Olean Times-Herald, Bradford Era, Butler Eagle and the Clarion News.

Allegheny Mountain League

North Division

Cameron County

Head coach: Mark Morelli (10-11, 3^rd season; 70-56 overall, 14^th season)

Last year’s record: 2-7

What’s the skinny? The Red Raiders are coming off their first losing season since 2005. Morelli has 14 lettermen back on his 32-man roster. Junior QB Tucker Britton (350 yards, 2 TDs, 6 Ints.) returns as does second-leading rusher junior Tony Olivett (252 yards, 2 TDs). Two-year starting linemen in senior C.J. Marcum leads the lines at center and defensive end.

5-year trend

2011: 2-7

2010: 8-4-AML runner-up

2009: 10-2-AML runner-up

2008: 12-2-District 9 Class A champion/AML runner-up

2007: 11-2-District 9 Class A runner-up/AML runner-up

Coudersport

Head coach: Chris Fink (13-7, 3^rd season)

Last year’s record: 9-2

What’s the skinny? Fink has 13 lettermen returning, including eight starters and 10 seniors. The Falcons have a couple of experienced running backs returning, Mitch Freeman (940 yards, 15 TDs) and Caden Whitman (476 yards, 5 TDs) were the workhorses a year ago and Whitman ranked second behind Freeman despite suffering a season-ending injury in Week 5. Junior Ethan Hite will be the new quarterback. Other returning starters are senior OL/LB Ryan Counts, senior linemen Jesse Lincoln and Jeffrey McManus, junior lineman Forest Tuttle, senior TE/LB Clayton Wilson and Hite at DB.

5-year trend

2011: 9-2

2010: 4-5

2009: 9-3-District 9 Class A runner-up

2008: 8-3

2007: 8-3

Otto-Eldred

Head coach: Virgil Graham (4-16, 3^rd season)

Last year’s record: 2-8

What’s the skinny? The Terrors have 11 returning starters overall back and a roster that includes 16 juniors. They’re led by returning quarterback in junior Dakota Vaughn (713 yards, 5 TDs, 9 Ints.) and senior linemen Nate Rodgers and Dillon Sutton. Junior Sam Colebert was second on the team in rushing (231 yards, 7 TDs) and Vaughn (291 yards, 5 TDs) was third.

5-year trend

2011: 2-8

2010: 2-8

2009: 2-8

2008: 2-8

2007: 3-7

Port Allegany

Head coach: Mike Bodamer (43-30, 8^th season)

Last year’s record: 12-1

What’s the skinny? The Gators won their first district title and are certainly geared up for another run at the Class A crown. Quarterback Matt Bodamer is one of 17 lettermen and 11 returning senior starters on the squad that has 10 seniors on offense and defense back. While the Gators lost Charlie Buchanan and Trevor Neal (combined for 96 catches, 1,456 yards and 22 TDs) to graduation, Bodamer still has senior all-stater Tyce Miller (74 catches, 1,248 yards, 15 TDs), TE Rickie Bova (44 catches, 695 yards) and Nick Conway (17 catches, 237 yards in an injury-shortened season) as targets. Bodamer (806 yards, 14 TDs) and senior Trent Neal (682 yards) were the top two rushers. Also back are senior linemen Rex Windsor and Victor Bandish. Senior LB Alex Gular, the team’s top tackler, is back as well as senior K Scott Brookens (36 PATs).

5-year trend

2011: 12-1 District 9 Class A champion; AML Champion

2010: 7-5-District 9 Class A runner-up

2009: 6-4

2008: 3-6

2007: 6-4

Sheffield

Head coach: Dave Fitch (1^st season)

Last year’s record: 4-7

What’s the skinny? Fitch takes over a program coming off its first trip to the postseason (first as a D9 team) in over a decade. The Wolverines lost 90 percent of their rushing yardage to graduation, but return quarterback Shequan Wright (723 yards, 4 TDs, 13 Ints.). Senior Dylan Smith and junior Brandon Johnston will get most of the carries out of the backfield. Wright’s top receivers are Tyler Fitzgerald and Dylan Reynolds. On the line, seniors Tony Burt, Jake Gorton and Nate Charlton are back. Defensively, Charlton led the team in tackles as a defensive end. Wright returns as a defensive back.

5-year trend

2011: 4-7

2010: 1-9

2009: 2-8

2008: 1-9

2007: 1-8

Smethport

Head coach: Jim Berlin (1^st season)

Last year’s record: 2-7

What’s the skinny? Berlin, a former Hubbers assistant, is the fourth coach in as many years for Smethport, which dipped back to two wins after a four-win season in 2010. He has 17 returning lettermen, 11 of them seniors. Senior Clay Schuler will be the quarterback and the backfield will feature seniors Karl Lightner and Ryan Stratton.

5-year trend

2011: 2-7
2010: 4-6

2009: 1-8

2008: 2-7

2007: 1-8

South Division

Brockway

Head coach: Frank Zocco (1^st season)

Last year’s record: 8-4

What’s the skinny? Zocco replaces Mike Pisarchick, who guided the Rovers to an 8-4 season in his only year. Back for the Rovers are their first and third-leading rushers in seniors Tom Vervoort (1,123 yards, 12 TDs) and Chad Melillo (604 yards, 4 TDs). Alec Shaffer-Doan will be the new quarterback. It’s a senior-laden team overall. Seniors Jake Heigel, Jesse Hoover, Sean Kennelly, Tyler Kuhn, Morgan Murray and Matthew Snyder lead both lines. Defensively, Murray ranked second on the team with 88 tackles to go along with 4 ½ sacks. Senior kicker-punter Philip Esposito is coming off a second-team all-state season that saw him boot 6 field goals and convert 41 of 42 point-after kicks.

5-year trend

2011: 8-4 AML South champion/AML runner-up

2010: 12-1-District 9 Class AA champion/AML champion

2009: 8-4-District 9 Class AA runner-up

2008: 5-5

2007: 5-6

Curwensville

Head coach: Andy Evanko (98-37, 13^th season)

Last year’s record: 7-3

What’s the skinny? The Golden Tide lost a big hunk of their roster from last year, including all-state running back Alex Holland and offensive lineman Todd Munchak, but Evanko has 21 returning lettermen on the roster. Senior Josh Greslick will take over as the leading running back and senior fullback Brad Coudriet returns to the backfield. Senior Hunter McCracken (691 yards, 8 TDs) is a three-year starter at quarterback. Senior Jordan Russell (17 catches, 264 yards) is the top returning receiver. The Tide still have experience on the line with a fourth-year starter in Spencer Smeal, seniors Jason and Kyle Bloom, and juniors Philip McCracken and Ricky Magnuson. Defensively, Greslick, junior Austin Jacobson, Coudriet and Smeal anchor the unit from their linebacker spots. McCracken, junior Kyle Johns and senior Austin Pollick return to the secondary.

5-year trend

2011: 7-3

2010: 11-2-District 9 Class A champions

2009: 9-3-AML Champions

2008: 7-3

2007: 4-6

Elk County Catholic

Head coach: Travis Skrzypek (24-17, 5^th season)

Last year’s record: 6-4

What’s the skinny? The Crusaders could be a dangerous team considering Skrzypek’s charges usually play defense and have a lot returning to a junior-laden roster. The Crusaders gave eventual Class A runner-up Clarion a close 22-20 game in the first round of the playoffs. Senior Brock McCullough (630 yards) was the team’s second-leading ground gainer and quarterback Mitchell Vallone (569 yards, 7 TDs) is back. Senior Joe McLaughlin (221 yards receiving, almost 200 yards rushing) will be a playmaker. Senior Clayton Housler picked off six passes from his defensive back position and senior linebacker Ben Cortina led the team with four sacks.

5-year trend

2011: 6-4

2010: 7-3

2009: 4-6

2008: 7-4

2007: 5-6

Johnsonburg

Head coach: Jesse Schreiber (0-10, 2^nd season)

Last year’s record: 0-10

What’s the skinny? Things weren’t pretty for the Rams last year. They had to forfeit games to Brockway and Curwensville late in the season due to a shortage of players and managed to score just two touchdowns in the final five games they did play. This year, Schreiber has a roster numbering in the mid-20s, slightly better than last year’s roster that dipped to as few as 16. Mitchell Holmberg will be the leading running back while Frank Kocjancic moves to quarterback. Senior Mitchell Schloder is the leading lineman.

5-year trend

2011: 0-10

2010: 4-6

2009: 3-6

2008: 6-4

2007: 1-8

Kane

Head coach: Todd Silfies (1^st season)

Last year’s record: 4-5

What’s the skinny? Silfies replaces Jason Barner as the Wolves’ new sideline boss. He’ll have the team’s starting quarterback in senior Sean Jordan (846 yards, 5 TDs, 8 Ints.) and leading rusher in Jonah Smith (601 yards) returning to the team. Tyler Burdick (386 yards) also got some carries. Sean Rollick and Tyler Ennis, the team’s top two receivers, are also back for the Wolves. On the line, seniors Logan Kumher and Charles Rini lead the way. Defensively, Rollick, Ennis, Jeff Kocjancic and Andrew Pierson return to the secondary. Rini and Andrew Zuzek are back on the defensive line.

5-year trend

2011: 4-5

2010: 4-6

2009: 5-5

2008: 8-3-AML champion

2007: 14-1-District 9 Class A champion/AML champion

Ridgway

Head coach: Mark Heindl (4-16, 3^rd season)

Last year’s record: 1-9

What’s the skinny? Heindl hopes some newcomers will help get the Elkers to their first winning season since 2006. Senior QB Jordan Lundin returns to the team after a one-year hiatus along with some first-year seniors, including basketball standout Eric Matheson. Junior Logan Wickett is the leading returning rusher. Senior NT Jared Casolo anchors the line. Of the Elkers’ 28 players, 15 are seniors.

5-year trend

2011: 6-4

2010: 1-9

2009: 3-7

2008: 2-7

2007: 4-5

Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference

Large School Division

Brookville

Head coach: Chris Dworek (93-80, 17^th season; 97-93-1, 19^th season overall)

Last year’s record: 5-6

What’s the skinny? The Raiders return their top two rushers and will start a new quarterback, giving Dworek’s squad an early look of a run-oriented squad. Juniors Zach Vroman (807 yards, 8 TDs) and Brodie Zacherl (563 yards, 4 TDs) got plenty of action as sophomores filling a void left by injured 1,000-yard back Ryan Kerr last year and look for them to do the bulk of the offensive work once again. Senior Cameron Yard is the new quarterback. The Raiders’ lines are big, but the team returns just one starter on either side, senior left guard Justin Snyder on the offensive line. Defensively, senior linebacker Nathan Bonfardine (118 tackles) was the team’s leading tackler.

5-year trend

2011: 5-6

2010: 9-3-District 9 Class AA runner-up

2009: 3-7

2008: 5-6

2007: 7-4

Karns City

Head coach: Ed Conto (105-35, 13th season at KC; 140-101-3, 23^rd season overall)

Last year’s record: 8-4

What’s the skinny? The Gremlins suffered an offseason blow when senior running back Glenn Toy (1,377 yards, 15 TDs) went down with a season-ending knee injury just before the start of preseason practices. Don’t expect Conto or his Gremlins to cash in their chips. Junior QB Tyler Kepple (490 yards, 5 TDs) is back. Expect Junior Wyatt Everetts and sophomore Tristan Rhoades will probably get the most carries. Kepple lost most of his receivers to graduation. This year’s group includes senior Matt Conto, juniors Adam Whited and Dakota Mohney, and sophomores Rhoades and Logan Moroney. From there, even defensively, the Gremlins will look for new players to fill big roles. Junior Mike Olkowski is the lone returning lineman. On the Gremlins’ 41-man roster, there are just nine seniors.

5-year trend

2011: 8-4 District 9 Class AA runner-up

2010: 4-6

2009: 10-3-District 9 Class AA champion-KSAC Co-Champions

2008: 12-2-District 9 Class AA champion

2007: 12-1-District 9 Class AA champion-KSAC Champions

Moniteau

Head coach: Jeff Campbell (39-20, 6^th season)

Last year’s record: 12-1

What’s the skinny? It was quite a season for the Warriors, who won their first-ever district title a year ago. They’ll need to re-tool a little bit, but still have some impact players on the roster. Campbell pondered what to do to replace graduated all-state quarterback Kyle Armagost and decided to keep junior Dustin Geagan (1,540 yards rushing) at tailback and put senior Denny Pry behind center. Defensively, senior Andrew Armagost (21 sacks) and junior Steven Hagg anchor the unit at linebacker. Geagan and junior Trevor Shaffer, Colton Cumberland and senior Tanner Blair are back in the secondary.

5-year trend

2011: 12-1 District 9 Class AA Champion-KSAC Large School Champion

2010: 5-6

2009: 6-5

2008: 10-2-District 9 Class AA runner-up-KSAC Champions

2007: 6-6-District 9 Class AA runner-up

Punxsutawney

Head coach: Alan Nichol (22-11, 4^th season at Punxsutawney; 8^th season overall, 33-28)

Last year’s record: 3-7

What’s the skinny? Senior quarterback Garrett Zimmerman returns after passing for 1,351 yards. Jamie Bush (268 yards, 1 TD) was the team’s second-leading rusher while Clayton Dale (21 catches, 355 yards, 5 TDs) and Bush (15-218, 3 TDs) were two of Zimmerman’s top three receivers.

5-year trend

2011: 3-7

2010: 10-1-District 9 Class AAA runner-up-KSAC Large School champion

2009: 9-3-District 9 Class AAA champion-KSAC Co-Champions

2008: 4-6

2007: 0-10

St. Marys

Head coach: Joe Schlimm (40-41, 9^th season at St. Marys; 24^th season overall, 119-100-4)

Last year’s record: 5-5

What’s the skinny? The Flying Dutchmen are down to Class AA after losing to Clearfield in last year’s Class AAA final. Senior Cody Baker ran for 1,216 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior Alex Coudriet will be the new quarterback. The Dutch’s offensive line returns five of six starters, with seniors Colby Lennox, Tyler Cunneo and Logan Gilmore, and juniors Christian Keller and Tyler Updyke paving the way.

5-year trend

2011: 5-5-District 9 Class AAA runner-up

2010: 6-3

2009: 6-4

2008: 6-5-District 9 Class AAA runner-up

2007: 8-4-District 9 Class AAA runner-up

Small School Division

A-C Valley

Head coach: Brad Dittman (1^st season)

Last year’s record: 2-7

What’s the skinny? The Falcons, coming off their winningest season since 2004’s 3-6 mark, have two big changes this year. First, head coach Brad Dittman replaces Chris McNany and second, the Falcons won’t be in a cooperative agreement with Cranberry for the first time in several years. Senior Kevin Kaufman will be the starting quarterback, coming off a year where he did a little bit of everything (221 yards passing, 125 yards rushing, 132 yards receiving). Junior Mike Suto (389 yards, 1 TD) led the team in rushing. Senior Jimmy Holton will anchor the offensive line at center and inside linebacker where he led the team in tackles (96). Kaufman was second in tackles, playing in the secondary.

5-year trend

2011: 2-7

2010: 1-8

2009: 0-9

2008: 0-9

2007: 0-9

Clarion

Head coach: Larry Wiser (154-82-1, 24^th season)

Last year’s record: 8-5

What’s the skinny? The Bobcats have 15 starters back from their District 9 Class A runner-up team, led by all-state linebacker T.J. Armstrong who will play at Old Dominion next fall. Armstrong, also the District 9 Defensive Player of the Year, made 123 tackles with 7 sacks and 4 blocked kicks. He also rushed for 1,123 yards and 16 touchdowns. Camron Kirkland (399 yards rushing; 32 catches, 554 yards receiving) and fullback Damien Slike (212 yards) are other key returnees. Juniors Antonio Troese and John Katis are competing for the quarterback job.

5-year trend

2011: 8-5-District 9 Class A runner-up-KSAC Small School champion

2010: 5-6-KSAC Small School champion

2009: 10-4-District 9 Class A champion

2008: 8-5-District 9 Class A runner-up

2007: 4-6

Clarion-Limestone

Head coach: Jason Kundick (2-18, 2^nd season)

Last year’s record: 1-9

What’s the skinny? The Lions return their top passer in junior Christian Bakewell (669 yards, 4 TDs), leading rusher in senior Joe Tommasi (459 yards, 1 TD) and top pass catcher in senior Tommy Smith (30 catches, 332 yards, 2 TDs) as they try to put together a winning season for the first time since 2005.

5-year trend

2011: 1-9

2010: 1-9

2009: 2-8

2008: 1-8

2007: 2-7

Keystone

Head coach: John Stiglitz (3-7, 2^nd season)

Last year’s record: 3-7

What’s the skinny? Stiglitz has a small 26-man roster and almost half of it (11) are stocked with seniors. Senior Josh Eberhart is the new quarterback. Senior Kyle Servey anchors the offensive line at tight end and the defense at nose guard. Matthew Hurst and Zach Hawk lead the linebackers.

5-year trend

2011: 3-7

2010: 3-7

2009: 7-4

2008: 3-8

2007: 6-5

Redbank Valley

Head coach: Ed Wasilowski (1^st year of second stint; 13^th season overall, 66-46)

Last year’s record: 6-5

What’s the skinny? Wasilowski’s 12-year stint as head coach ended after the 2007 season and returned as an assistant coach the last two years under Frank Fabian, who left to coach Kittanning. He’s the head coach again this year, taking over a Bulldogs squad that lost in the first round of the Class A playoffs. Sophomore Jake Dougherty returns as the starting quarterback after throwing for 1,184 yards and 14 TDs as a freshman. Junior Mark Strothers (855 yards, 8 TDs) will be the primary rusher. He’s also the top returning pass catcher with 14 receptions.

5-year trend

2011: 6-5

2010: 6-6

2009: 3-7

2008: 7-3

2007: 10-2

Union

Head coach: Dave Louder (11-10, 3^rd season)

Last year’s record: 7-4

What’s the skinny? The Golden Knights are coming off their best season since going 9-1 in 1985. Brody Shick, an all-state selection as a defensive back, will move from receiver to quarterback. Slotback Aaron Graham (13 catches, 218 yards) is the top returning receiver. Both lines return three starters, including two-way starters Darren Seary and Jake Gezik. Travis Dougherty will likely anchor the team at middle linebacker.

5-year trend

2011: 7-4

2010: 4-6

2009: 2-7

2008: 2-7

2007: 1-9

Other Teams

Bradford

Head coach: Jeff Puglio (17-13, 4^th season)

Last year’s record: 3-7

What’s the skinny? The Owls may have caught a break when they were moved to the District 10 Region 5 League, moving them away from the Erie County schools and into the same section as DuBois. But the Owls have to rebound from their first losing season since 2005. Senior QB Matt Yurkewicz (303 yards passing, 454 yards rushing) returns to key the run-oriented offense that also has fourth-leading rusher in senior Sean Siffrinn (217 yards) back. Senior Josh Corignani will also get carries. Yurkewicz (66 tackles) ranked second in tackles on defense playing in the secondary. Other key starters back are seniors Nunzio Cavallero (WR/CB, 5 interceptions), Zach Zawatski (C/LB), Jordan Peterson (line), and senior Ty Reiley (K/P, 4 FGs), juniors Ryan McCammon (G/LB) and Dakota Sera (line), and sophomore Kyle Langdon (FB/LB).

5-year trend

2011: 3-7

2010: 8-2

2009: 6-4

2008: 5-5

2007: 8-3-District 9 Class AAA champion/D9 League champions

DuBois

Head coach: Frank Varischetti (2^nd season at DuBois, 8-3; 6^th season overall, 38-19)

Last year’s record: 8-3

What’s the skinny? Varischetti’s first year with the Beavers was the team’s first winning season since 2005. The Beavers will have a new quarterback in Varischetti’s normally pass-happy offense with sophomore Gabe French, who saw limited action last year. Senior Garrett Brown, the team’s leading rusher at 687 yards and five TDs, is a big-play threat. He also caught 27 passes for 248 yards and was the team’s top kick and punt returner. Senior Garrett Miles (22 catches, 387 yards) returns at receiver. Senior center Nick Davido leads the offensive line. Defensively, senior linebacker Shane Marshall led the Beavers in tackles with 113 stops, including 3 sacks. Due to some shakeup in the District 10 Region 5 League, the Beavers going into the season still looking for a Week 10 game.

5-year trend

2011: 8-3

2010: 4-6

2009: 5-6

2008: 5-6

2007: 2-8

Clearfield

Head coach: Tim Janocko (205-94-3, 28^th season)

Last year’s record: 11-2

What’s the skinny? The Bisons, or make that the now grammatically-correct Bison, became the fifth school to install artificial turf — Karns City, Brockway, Bradford, Clarion are the others — in District 9. Janocko, the winningest coach in district history, has 18 returning letterwinners back on board, including senior Christian Lezzer. He’ll move to quarterback after leading the team in receiving (19 catches, 399 yards) and finishing second in rushing (731 yards, 12 TDs). Junior Tyler Stratton will be the leading running back while senior Trey Jordan (9 catches, 216 yards) is the top receiver. Three starting offensive linemen are back in juniors Jon Janocko, Hunter Keith and Jacob Verchick. Lezzer, Stratton and senior Dylan Graham are the leading returning tacklers on defense. Lezzer and Verchick will play inside linebacker while Graham returns to the secondary and Graham moves to the secondary from linebacker.

5-year trend

2011: 11-2-District 9 Class AAAA champion/ML-Allegany Division champion

2010: 13-1-District 9 Class AAA champion/ML-Allegheny Division champion

2009: 7-4-District 9 Class AAA runner-up

2008: 10-3-District 9 Class AAA champion/MAC-Nittany Division champions

2007: 7-4