While the playoffs begin, so does the regular season. Such as things are in 2020.
District 9’s playoff semifinals in Classes 1A and 2A along with the Class 3A final kick off the postseason this weekend. Along with that are six games featuring 11 district teams.
Here is a closer look at those games:
DuBois (2-4) at Brockway (2-4)
These next-door neighbors haven’t met on the field in almost 100 years, but only just twice in DuBois wins in 1927 (18-0) and 1928 (26-0).
The Beavers, 35-13 losers to Brookville last week, used Austin Mitchell at quarterback with starter Cam-Ron Hays out with an injury. He completed 11 of 19 passes for 67 yards with one TD and two interceptions while running for 58 yards on six carries. Zach Henery leads the Beavers with 427 yards rushing.
Rovers quarterback Conner Ford has thrown for 628 yards and 6 TDs while rushing for a team-high 211 yards.
Punxsutawney (0-6) at Moniteau (1-5)
It’s a rematch from their Week 2 game in Punxsutawney when the visiting Warriors rallied for a 21-14 win. The Warriors haven’t won since then while the Chucks’ losing streak now stands at 22 games.
Moniteau’s Mason Mershimer has rushed for 644 yards and three TDs. Punxsutawney quarterback Kameron Falgout (33-for-69, 297 yards, 2 TDs; 69-287, 2 TDs rushing) leads the Chucks offense.
Elk Co. Catholic (3-2) at Cameron Co. (0-4)
The Crusaders beat the Red Raiders, 32-6, in the opening week. The Red Raiders scored their first TD since that game in last week’s 40-8 loss to Port Allegany.
Crusaders running backs Sam Kaul and Nick Crisp have rushed for 622 and 426 yards respectively.
Otto-Eldred (1-3) at Kane (2-3)
The Wolves host the Terrors looking to even their record that includes three losses to teams playing in the postseason this weekend (two to St. Marys and one to Ridgway).
The Terrors’ lone win came against Port Allegany with losses to Coudersport (43-14) and Elk County Catholic (34-28) last week.
Bradford (0-5) at Port Allegany (1-4)
The Owls travel to face the Gators looking for their first win. The past two weeks in rematches with Ridgway and Kane, the Owls cut into the margin from their first losses. Last week, the Owls lost 27-14 to Kane after losing 51-7 to the Wolves the first time around.
Bradford has thrown more yards than rushing yards, which might be a first in quite a few years. Austen Davis (39-for-100, 408 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int.) leads the Owls offense and is also the team’s top rusher at 122 yards on 38 carries. Receiver Dalton Dixon (15-295, 2 TDs) is Davis’ top target.
The Gators won their first game last week in a 40-8 rout of winless Cameron County as Noah Archer ran for 137 yards on 19 carries with two TDs. Archer (41-205, 3 TDs rushing; 24-284 1 TD receiving), Blaine Moses (54-250, 4 TDs rushing), Trey Ayers (25-373, 3 TDs receiving) and quarterback Drew Evens (62-for-117, 798 yards, 5 TDs, 7 Ints.) lead the Gators.
Bucktail (1-5) at Curwensville (0-4)
The Bucks of District 4 head to Curwensville, which is coming off a two-week layoff after losing last week’s home game against Redbank Valley to COVID-19 concerns.
The Golden Tide last played in a 19-14 loss to Brockway. Curwensville had played two tight games with Keystone and then Brockway after getting shut out by Redbank Valley and Union/A-C Valley to start the season.
Quarterback Dan McGarry (51-for-97, 388 yards, 1 TD, 5 Ints.), running back Thad Butler (15-112, 1 TD; 14-100 receiving) and receiver Ty Terry (20-174) lead the Tide.
Bucktail’s lone win came in a 50-8 rout of Columbia Vo-Tech on Oct. 3. Last week, the Bucks lost 23-20 to Cowanesque Valley. Brockway beat Cowanesque Valley, 32-14, earlier this year. The Bucks have other losses to Montgomery (43-15), Muncy (42-24), Northwest Area (42-6) and South Williamsport (28-8).
