There’s a log jam at the top of the District 9 League’s Large School Division.
St. Marys’ 35-28 win over Karns City last week created a four-way tie in the loss column at the top of the standings. After dealing the Gremlins their first loss of the year on the road, the Dutch return home to face fellow 5-1 Brookville Friday night.
It’s a divisional schedule across the board in the District 9 League, five Large School games, and two matchups each in the Small School North and South.
Saturday’s Sheffield at Port Allegany game was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns at Sheffield.
In addition to the Dutch hosting the Raiders in the Large School, Ridgway (5-1) looks to keep pace at the top in a trip to Central Clarion (1-4) at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium. Karns City (5-1) is back home looking to get back on track against Kane (3-3). DuBois (3-3) hosts Moniteau (1-4) while at the bottom of the standings, it’s Bradford (0-5) at Punxsutawney (0-5).
In the Small School South, Elk County Catholic (2-3) visits Brockway (2-4) and Redbank Valley (5-1) treks to Bucktail (0-5). In the Small School North, Cameron County (4-1) hosts Smethport (5-1) in a battle for first place while Coudersport (2-3) hosts Otto-Eldred (1-4).
Curwensville (3-3) visits Purchase Line (4-2) while undefeated Clearfield (6-0) hosts Trinity out of the WPIAL in two non-conference matchups.
One week after Brookville dropped a 41-7 loss to Karns City at home, St. Marys traveled south to Butler County and stunned the Gremlins as quarterback Christian Coudriet threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game to Carter Chadsey with 40 seconds left for the come-from-behind win.
Coudriet threw for 400 yards with Charlie Coudriet, Chadsey and Logan Mosier all catching TD passes. Coudriet (122-for-190, 1,473 yards, 14 TDs, 3 Ints.) nears 1,500 yards passing for the season and he’s now at 5,661 career passing yards, ranking him 11th all-time.
Mosier (29-499, 6 TDs), Chadsey (33-436, 5 TDs) and Charlie Coudriet (27-262, 1 TD) have been his top targets all season.
Raiders sophomore quarterback Charlie Krug (85-for-138, 1,144 yards, 14 TDs, 6 Ints.) is having a solid debut season running the offense. Brayden Kunselman (29-588, 8 TDs) and Noah Peterson (17-230, 4 TDs) are the leading receivers.
St. Marys head coach Chris Dworek faces his former team for the second time in his third season. He’s Brookville’s all-time winningest coach with 107 victories in 19 seasons. Two years ago, the Raiders beat Dworek’s Dutch, 42-22.
In other games:
LARGE SCHOOL
Ridgway (5-1) at Central Clarion (1-4), Clarion University
The Elkers have beaten St. Marys, but still have to play Karns City and Brookville. Meanwhile, they’ll head to CUP’s Memorial Stadium for a date with the Wildcats who got their first win at home, 34-6, against Kane last week.
The Elkers beat Kane (42-6) in Week 2 and St. Marys (24-7) in their season-opener. St. Marys held off Central Clarion (42-39) two weeks ago.
In the Elkers’ 40-21 win over Punxsutawney last week, Dom Allegretto scored four TDs, running for 149 yards. He’s leading the team in rushing (44-469, 9 TDs) with Camron Marciniak (51-355, 4 TDs) and Eric Salberg (39-260, 3 TDs) completing a balanced attack out of the backfield. Quarterback Jonathan Hinton, in four games, had completed 32 of 41 passes for 593 yards and six TDs. Will Howard (17-259, 3 TDs) and Allegretto (16-223, 2 TDs) are his top receiving targets.
The Wildcats got a strong outing from freshman quarterback Jase Ferguson (46-for-95, 761 yards, 9 TDs, 9 Ints.) in last week’s win over Kane as he threw for 241 yards and three TDs. Christian Simko (15-369, 5 TDs) and Ashton Rex (12-238, 5 TDs) are the leading receivers. Breckin Rex (65-369, 2 TDs) leads the running game.
Kane (3-3) at Karns City (5-1)
The Gremlins look to rebound from their first loss last week to St. Marys with another home game against Kane, which lost 34-26 at Central Clarion. The Gremlins beat Central Clarion, 37-13, in Week 3.
Karns City’s offense is powered mostly by running backs Jayce Anderson (61-469, 3 TDs) and Luke Garing (69-421, 12 TDs), although quarterback Eric Booher (35-for-61, 658 yards, 6 TDs, 3 ints.) threw for a season-high 164 yards last week with a TD along with a rushing score. Micah Rupp (10-227, 2 TDs) is the team’s leading receiver.
The Wolves are fairly balanced offensively with quarterback Harley Morris (56-for-108, 735 yards, 7 TDs, 8 Ints.; 58-294, 1 TD rushing) leading the way. Running back Ricky Zampogna (77-381 yards, 2 TDs) is the team’s top rusher while Landon Darr (17-260, 4 TDs) is the leading receiver.
Bradford (0-6) at Punxsutawney (0-5)
Something needs to give when the winless Owls visit the winless Chucks. Bradford owns the district’s longest losing streak at 15 games. The Chucks were the last team Bradford beat back in 2019 and they’ve won two games since the beginning of the 2018 season.
The Chucks lost 40-21 last week to Ridgway, which beat the Owls 56-19 three weeks ago. The Chucks used Seth Moore (10-for-26, 161 yards, 1 TD, 2 Ints.) and Noah Weaver (28-for-55, 230 yards, 1 TD, 3 Ints.) at quarterback last week. Zeke Bennett (114-433, 2 TDs) is the workhorse carrying the ball for the Chucks.
Bradford was blanked 55-0 by DuBois last week. The Owls average almost all of their offensive yardage through the air with quarterback Elijah Fitton (82-for-141, 1,215 yards, 9 TDs, 11 Ints.) doing most of the throwing along with freshman Talen Reese (439 yards, 9 TDs). Dalton Dixon (36-751, 6 TDs) is the top receiver.
Moniteau (1-4) at DuBois (3-3)
The Beavers have won three straight games, including last week’s 55-0 rout of Bradford. They’ve outscored Kane, Ridgway and the Owls by a combined 110-12. They’ve averaged nearly 250 yards rushing per game in that span, scoring 11 TDs on the ground.
Austin Mitchell (45-243, 5 TDs), Austin Henery (43-166) and Braxton Adams (37-149, 2 TDs) are the leading rushers. Quarterbacks Cam-Ron Hays (221 yards, 3 TDs) and Austin Mitchell (343 yards, 1 TD) have shared snaps with Derraick Burkett (22-210, 3 TDs) the leading receiver.
Moniteau beat Bradford, 44-38, two weeks ago for its lone win while racking up 575 yards rushing. For the season, Matt Martino (72-452, 5 TDs), Hunter Stalker (64-309, 1 TD) and quarterback David Dessicino (43-271, 2 TDs) are the leading rushers. Dessicino has thrown for 370 yards and two TDs.
SMALL SCHOOL SOUTH
Elk County Catholic (2-3) at Brockway (2-4)
The Rovers ended their four-game losing streak with last week’s 26-8 win over Otto-Eldred while the Crusaders lost 32-18 to Cameron County, playing its first four-quarter game in three weeks.
Rovers freshman quarterback Brayden Fox (106-for-192, 1,287 yards, 9 TDs, 13 Ints.) is among the district’s passing leaders with his leading receivers Alex Carlson (42-357, 2 TDs), Blake Pisarcik (22-341), Jalen Kosko (21-315, 3 TDs) and Matt Pyne (15-228, 1 TD). Carter Hickman (85-272, 3 TDs) is team’s top rusher.
For the Crusaders, Noah Cherry ran for 137 yards last week. He leads the team with 297 yards. Quarterback Ben Paul has thrown for 396 yards, completing 26 of 67 passes.
Redbank Valley (5-1) at Bucktail (0-5)
The Bulldogs head 120 miles east to face the winless Bucks. The teams share two common foes to date. The Bucks lost 40-0 in Week 3 to Smethport, which lost 27-6 last week to the visiting Bulldogs. Two weeks ago, Keystone beat the Bucks 29-12 after trailing them 12-7 at halftime. The Panthers dealt the Bulldogs their lone loss in a 22-20 win in the season-opener.
Since the loss to the Panthers, the Bulldogs have given up just 18 points on three touchdowns in five straight wins. Ray Shreckengost (57-301, 6 TDs) is coming off a 100-yard rushing game in the win over the Hubbers. Quarterback Bryson Bain (49-for-72, 775 yards, 15 TDs, 4 Ints.) runs the passing game with a deep group of receivers, including Marquese Gardlock (14-247, 2 TDs), Chris Marshall (13-202, 5 TDs), Tate Minich (13-207, 5 TDs), Aiden Ortz (5-113, 1 TD) and Mason Clouse (6-107, 2 TDs).
In last week’s 44-24 loss to Coudersport, quarterback Dylan Cross threw for a touchdown and ran for another, completing 9 of 19 passes for 141 yards while running for 81 yards on 13 carries. Braylon Frantaski caught five passes for 97 yards with Zack Pick returned a kick 81 yards for a TD.
SMALL SCHOOL NORTH
Smethport (5-1) at Cameron County (4-1)
The Hubbers are coming off their first loss of the year against Redbank Valley, 27-6, and travel to Emporium to play the Red Raiders who beat Elk County Catholic, 32-18. The Red Raiders’ lone loss is to Otto-Eldred (28-8) back in Week 3. Smethport beat Otto, 56-18, two weeks ago.
Noah Lent continues to dominate the Hubbers’ stat sheet, having a hand in all of the team’s touchdowns, either passing or rushing. He’s over 1,000 yards rushing (114-1,011, 16 TDs) and has thrown for 708 yards and 14 TDs against two interceptions, completing 41 of 70 passes. Brandon Higley (13-225, 3 TDs) and Alex Ognen (16-285, 8 TDs) are the leading receivers.
The Red Raiders are somewhat balanced offensively with Lathan Reed (61-508, 4 TDs) the leading rusher and quarterback Maddox Baughman (42-for-93, 718 yards, 8 TDs, 11 Ints.) running the passing game with top receivers Reed (9-252, 3 TDs) and Dylan Baney (9-209, 4 TDs).
Otto-Eldred (1-4) at Coudersport (2-3)
The Terrors visit the Falcons, who are coming off a 44-24 win over Bucktail. After losing their first two games, the Falcons have won two out of their last three games. Otto has dropped three straight games since handing Cameron County its only loss, including a 26-8 loss to Brockway last week.
Coudersport does most of its business offensively on the ground, led by quarterback Gavyn Ayer’s legs (68-435, 11 TDs). Dylan Kelly (72-334, 5 TDs) leads the team in carries. Ayers has thrown 30 passes all season, completing nine for 162 yards.
The Terrors are pretty much balanced with quarterback Gavin Jimerson (41-for-93, 454 yards, 2 TDs, 6 Ints.), running back Ryan Love (43-233, 3 TDs) and receiver Manning Splain (14-183, 1 TD) leading the way.
NON-CONFERENCE
Curwensville (3-3) at Purchase Line (4-2)
It’s a return to action for the Golden Tide, who were credited with a forfeit loss to Bellwood-Antis, something that’s not been done thus far in games that have been canceled in District 9 because of COVID-19 concerns as this one was.
Either way, the Tide remain in the D9 Class 1A playoff race regardless of how games differ in how they’re counted between them and the teams that play a D9-only schedule. They visit Purchase Line, a neighboring school district in a non-conference matchup.
The Golden Tide continue to establish themselves as a passing, spread-the-field team which is the opposite of the run-heavy approach in previous seasons. Junior quarterback Dan McGarry is among the D9 leading passers, throwing for 1,342 yards in just five games with 12 TDs and six interceptions, completing 95 of 159 attempts. Ty Terry (42-691, 6 TDs), Jake Mullins (22-335, 4 TDs) and Thad Butler (24-260, 2 TDs), also the leading rusher (50-373, 4 TDs) lead the way.
The Red Dragons and Tide don’t share any common opponents. Purchase Line features a balanced offense led by sophomore quarterback John Elick (33-for-61, 555 yards, 4 TDs, 3 Ints.; 60-210, 6 TDs rushing), running back Brady Syster (51-397, 5 TDs) and receiver Mello Sanchez (12-268, 3 TDs).
Trinity (2-4) at Clearfield (6-0)
The Bison hook up with Trinity out of Washington, Pa., which is part of the WPIAL. The Hillers are a Class 4A team that’s coming off a 20-19 win over West Mifflin. They’ve also beaten Yough (41-6) while losing to Canon-McMillan (48-0), West Allegheny (43-34), Thomas Jefferson (49-7) and McKeesport (49-14).
Senior Connor Roberts is the quarterback in his second year after starting five games last year. He threw for 353 yards in the opening loss to Canon-McMillan and has 783 yards and 10 TDs overall. Sophomore running back Andrew Durig is a two-way threat as a receiver as well.
The Bison have yielded just 26 points on four touchdowns in their six wins, averaging
40 points per game. Offensively, the Bison are putting up 402 yards per game.
Senior quarterback Oliver Billotte (47-for-92, 755 yards, 8 TDs, 2 Ints.; 43-284, 8 TDs) keys the Clearfield offense. Mark McGonigal (72-650, 9 TDs) is the top rusher while Karson Kline (26-418, 4 TDs) is Billotte’s primary receiving target.
Billotte, a lineman on defense, leads the Bison unit with 47 tackles, nine of them sacks. Isaac Samsel has seven sacks while Shane Coudriet is second in tackles with 45.
