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Week 3 football: Another battle of unbeatens in Brookville

A battle of unbeatens in the Large School Division highlights this week’s 12-game Friday night schedule as the season heads into the fourth weekend (or Week 3 by PIAA decree).

Brookville’s Robert Keth helps lead the Raiders into Friday’s game with another unbeaten team in the Clarion Bobcats. (Photo by Kyle Yates www.facebook.com/YatesPhoto)

The Clarion Bobcats travel to Brookville to take on the also 3-0 Raiders with kickoff set for 7 p.m. The game can be heard on D9Sports.com and ExploreClarion.com via ExploreRadio. Click here to listen.

The Large School’s other unbeaten team, Kane, hosts Brockway (0-3) while Karns City (2-1) hosts Moniteau (0-3), Punxsutawney (0-3) visits St. Marys (2-1) and Ridgway (2-1) hosts Bradford (0-3).

It’s a crossover week on the Small School Division schedules with Redbank Valley (3-0) hosting Sheffield (0-3), Otto-Eldred (1-2) visiting Union/A-C Valley (2-1) in Rimersburg, Keystone (2-1) hosting Cameron County (0-3), Curwensville (1-2) visiting Smethport (2-0) and Elk County Catholic (1-2) at Port Allegany (1-2).

In the Mountain League, Clearfield (3-0) hosts Huntingdon (1-2) and DuBois (0-3) hosts Franklin (1-2).

It’s been a strong start to the season for the newly-formed Bobcats with Clarion-Limestone added to the program. 

Former Lions standout Austin Newcomb is off to a strong start out of the Bobcats backfield, averaging almost 14 yards a carry with 482 yards on 35 attempts. That puts him at 3,486 career yards on the ground and an exact 50 career rushing TDs, 10 this year.

Newcomb ran for 210 yards on 17 carries and scored all four of his touchdowns in the second half in last week’s 42-14 win over Karns City in a game that was 14-all at halftime.

The Bobcats aren’t all Newcomb as junior quarterback Cal German (19-for-32, 572 yards, 7 TDs) and receiver Ethan Burford (10-386, 5 TDs).

Clarion has outscored its three foes 154-28 with other wins over Punxsutawney (70-6) and Moniteau (42-8).

On the other side, Brookville has outscored its three foes, all winless, by a margin of 115-14, including a 38-6 win at Punxsutawney last Thursday.

Last week’s D9Sports.Com Player of the Week Jack Krug is also off to a good start, completing 61 of 96 passes for 726 yards with eight TDs and two interceptions. He also leads the Raiders in rushing with 329 yards and four TDs.

The Raiders’ top receivers are Robert Keth (21 catches, 260 yards, 3 TDs), Ian Thrush (15-176) and Kyle MacBeth (10-108, 1 TD).

Here’s a closer look at the rest of the schedule:

Large School Division

Brockway (0-3) at Kane (3-0)

The Wolves look to beat the Rovers and continue to own a share of first place in the division with whomever wins the Bobcats/Raiders game.

Using a balanced attack that’s averaging 303 yards per game — 161 rushing, 142 passing — with quarterback Zuke Smith (19-for-44, 8 TDs, 3 Ints.), running backs Teddy Race (30-200, 2 TDs) and Jake Alcorn (27-131 rushing; 3-111, 2 TDs receiving) and receiver Kevin Scharba (4-138, 3 TDs).

The Rovers offense is led by quarterback Conner Ford (30-for-57, 379 yards, 2 TDs, 5 Ints.; 38-151 rushing) and Jon Wood (29-129 rushing; 8-136 receiving).

Moniteau (0-3) at Karns City (2-1)

Butler County rivals tangle as the Gremlins look to bounce back from their first loss of the year at Clarion and the Warriors try to grab their first win.

Last year, the Warriors ended a seven-game losing streak to the Gremlins dating back to their last win in 2011 in a 20-14 win decided in the late moments in West Sunbury. This time around, the Gremlins are looking to continue a strong start as they handled Brockway and Punxsutawney before playing Clarion to a 14-14 halftime tie last week only to see the Bobcats score 28 unanswered points in the second half.

Quarterback Anthony Kamenski keys the Gremlins offense, rushing for a team-high 338 yards and two TDs. He’s completed 12 of 27 passes for 188 yards with three TDs and one interception. Hunter Rowe (36-124) is the leading rusher among the backs. Junior Kaden Scherer has had quite a start on special teams, returning two kicks and one punt for touchdowns so far.

Moniteau is coming off a 42-7 loss to Ridgway after starting with losses to unbeaten Kane (46-19) and Clarion (42-8). J.D. Dessicino (22-130) was the team’s top rusher in a run-heavy offense going into last week’s game.

Punxsutawney (0-3) at St. Marys (2-1)

The Flying Dutchmen look to make it three wins in a row against the winless Chucks and beat them for the first time since 2016.

It’s been a balanced start to things offensively for first-year head coach Chris Dworek, whose Dutch average 323 yards per game — 170 rushing, 153 passing — with quarterback Christian Coudriet (41-for-63, 371 yards, 1 TD, 3 Ints.), running back Jacob Kline (25-275, 5 TDs) and receiver Bryce Walker (16-159) leading the way.

For the Chucks, it’s three touchdowns in three games with losses to Clarion, Karns City and then Brookville last week. Quarterback Kameron Falgout (17-for-38, 180 yards, 2 TDs; 35-78 rushing) and Max London (22-98 rushing; 7-116 receiving) lead the offense.

Bradford (0-3) at Ridgway (2-1), at Johnsonburg

The Elkers host the winless the Owls at Johnsonburg’s Memorial Stadium.

Ridgway is coming off a 42-7 rout at Moniteau, bouncing back from their loss to Kane. The Elkers racked up 390 yards of offense and scored six touchdowns on the ground. For the season, they’re averaging 203 rushing yards with Gabe Watts (28-184, 2 TDs) and Matt Dusch (24-165, 3 TDs) leading the way. Seven different rushers have scored TDs.

Quarterback Paul Gresco (37-for-56, 450 yards, 3 TDs, 2 Ints.) keys the passing game with Jake Wickett (12-198, 1 TD).

The Owls have been scored 143-6 in their losses to Brookville, St. Marys and Kane.  Quarterback Caleb Nuzzo has completed 34 of 57 passes for 273 yards. Austen Davis (12-117) is his leading his receiver.

Small School-Crossover

Sheffield (0-3) at Redbank Valley (3-0)

The Bulldogs host the winless Wolverines, who have lost 12 straight games, going into the game giving up just 26 points in their three wins.

Offensively, they’re averaging 387 yards, 260 on the ground with Ray Shreckengost (29-244, 3 TDs), Kobe Bonanno (27-202, 4 TDs), Hunter Martz (22-133, 2 TDs) and quarterback Gunner Mangiantini (19-109, 2 TDs) all over 100 yards. Mangiantini (35-for-55, 358 yards, 2 TDs, 3 Ints.) runs the passing game with receivers Javin Brentzel (10-77), Ethan Hetrick (7-153, 1 TD), Dalton Bish (9-54) and Sam Hetrick (5-51, 1 TD).

The Wolverines were routed 67-6 by Coudersport last week. Slappy Washington threw a 17-yard TD pass to Mirahn Price.

Otto-Eldred (1-2) at Union/ACV (2-1)

The Terrors make the long trip to Rimersburg to take on the Falcon Knights, looking for a third straight win after last week’s shutout of Curwensville.

Union/ACV, which limited the Tide to 84 yards, is led by quarterback Luke Bowser (30-for-64, 341 yards, 4 TDs, 4 Ints.; team-high 82 yards rushing), and receivers Caden Rainey (14-176, 1 TD) and Tanner Merwin (9-127, 1 TD).

Quarterback Cole Sebastian (53-for-83, 827 yards, 9 TDs, 3 Ints.) and receivers Cameron Magee (18-340, 2 TDs) and Ethan Smith (16-265, 5 TDs) lead Otto-Eldred.

Cameron County (0-2) at Keystone (2-1)

The Panthers host the winless Red Raiders, looking to go 3-1 for the first time in 10 seasons.

Keystone racked up 543 yards of offense in their 56-7 rout of Cambridge Springs last week. That accounts for just over half the yards the Panthers have gained from scrimmage the whole season. 

Quarterback Isaak Jones (27-for-44, 510 yards, 5 TDs, 1 Int.), running backs Nick Weaver (22-162, 1 TD) and Taylar Altman (20-150, 2 TDs), and receivers Jayden Blazosky (10-173, 2 TDs) and Alex Rapp (5-148, 2 TDs) lead the Panthers. 

Cameron County is scoreless so far in losses to Curwensville (20-0) and Otto-Eldred (38-0).

Curwensville (1-2) at Smethport (2-0)

The unbeaten Hubbers had to rally in the second half from a 15-13 deficit to beat Port Allegany, 27-15.

Quarterback Noah Lent, after throwing for 197 yards and five TDs in the season-opener against Sheffield, ran for 171 yards on 22 carries and three TDs against the Gators. Braedon Johnson ran for 82 yards on 14 carries.

Curwensville was blanked at Union/ACV, limited to under 100 yards of offense. Freshman quarterback Dan McGarry (20-for-40, 238 yards, 2 TDs, 5 Ints.) and junior running back Duane Brady (46-131, 1 TD) lead the Tide.

Elk Co. Catholic (1-2) at Port Allegany (1-2)

Both teams are coming off losses last week as the Crusaders visit the Gators looking to rebound after a 22-6 loss to Redbank Valley.

Without 1,000-yard rusher Stephen Bobby, who is out with an injury, the Crusaders got a 107-yard rushing game from Sam Kaul.

Port led Smethport 15-13 at halftime last week before losing. Josh Rees ran for both TDs last week and for the season, he’s gained 358 yards on 55 carries with five TDs.

Mountain League

Huntingdon (1-2) at Clearfield (3-0)

It’s been two straight weeks of down-to-the-wire wins for the Bison, who edged Central-Martinsburg 24-21 on the road last week. They’ll host the Bearcats, who are coming off a non-conference 42-7 loss to Susquehanna Township.

Sophomore quarterback Oliver Billotte continues to lead the powerful Bison offense that averages 395 yards a game — 219 passing and 176 rushing — with Billottee (35-for-59, 657 yards, 7 TDs, 2 Ints.) also leading the team in rushing with 204 yards on 41 carries with eight TDs. Brett Zattoni (38-156) will also get carries while Jake Lezzer (20-395, 4 TDs) is the leading receiver.

The Bison beat the Bearcats, 42-21, last year after Huntingdon won 45-27 at Clearfield two years ago.  Senior quarterback Nick Troha has completed 26 of 58 passes for 262 yards with a touchdown and two interception. He’s the team’s leading rusher with 69 yards.

District 10 Region 7

Franklin (1-2) at DuBois (0-3)

The Beavers host the Knights looking for their first win and to avoid their first 0-4 start to the season since their winless 2002 campaign.

DuBois has given up 120 points in three losses, including last week’s 50-28 loss to Warren where the Beavers surrendered 449 yards to the Dragons.

Beavers quarterback Alex Kovalyak (46-for-82, 757 yards, 6 TDs, 4 Ints.) keys the Beavers offense with Nick Dilullo (15-342, 4 TDs) his top receiver.

Franklin quarterback Ian Haynes (59-for-99, 843 yards, 7 TDs, 2 Ints.) stands at 7,749 career passing yards with 78 TDs going into the game. The passing yards would rank fifth in District 9 but are the most-ever in District 10 history.

The Beavers beat the Knights, 28-25, last year. They’ve never lost to Franklin since joining the same District 10 Region 7 setup in 2010, a string of nine straight games.