The last week of the regular season in Pennsylvania is here and with it, plenty of intrigue.
Most of it surrounds the Class A playoff field. Seven of the eight teams — Ridgway, Clarion, Redbank Valley, Elk County Catholic, Brockway, Kane and Curwensville have all locked up playoff berths, but the last spot is yet to be decided.
If Cameron County beats Ridgway in the AML title game, they will be in. If the Red Raiders lose, they open up the door for Union, which would be in with a victory over Moniteau. If both teams lose, Cameron County would qualify as the No. 8 seed, but, as per school policy, would not accept, as they have a policy of finishing at least .500 to enter the playoffs.
That opens up a whole different can of worms. Unlike other playoff systems in District 9, football is closed, meaning you have to qualify and just can’t choose to enter. As such, should the scenario play out of both Cameron County and Union losing, should Cameron County be obligated to go?
In a closed playoff system, the answer is an easy yes, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Now that you have digested all of that, let’s get into the final week of the regular season!
Bradford (2-7) at Warren (3-6)
The fact that these two teams are playing each other means that Bradford didn’t qualify for the D-9 Class AAA title game and Warren isn’t a factor in the D-10 playoffs.
That being said, however, I’m glad to see this game, as it’s one of the best natural rivalries in the area.
Bradford comes in after its most dominating offensive performances of the season in a 47-34 win over Brookville, a game in which they led 40-6.
Kyle Langdon, Justin Fishkin and Alex Colosimo all went over 100 yards, with Langdon (who needs 263 yards for 1,000 on the season) going over 200. The Owls’ offensive line of tackles Rob Rice and Taylor Brautigam, guards Brandon Hughes and Steve Zawatski, center Kyle Whitmer was critical to that success, and I think they should be able to push around a Dragons defense that has given up an average of 46.9 ppg., including five games in which they have given up at least 50 points.
That being said, the one thing the Dragons can do well is score, as evidenced by their 79-78 win over Meadville in Week 6.
Junior quarterback Evan Suppa has settled in since taking over the starting job, completing 55 percent of his passes for 907 yards, with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Ryan Shattuck has been Suppa’s security blanket, notching 47 receptions on the season and he is also a threat in the kicking game, with a school record 49-yard field goal against Meadville.
Talented senior running back Kyle Kulka (1,011 yards rushing) and Solomon Gross (361 yards) help Warren maintain its balance on offense.
This should be a very entertaining game to end the season for both teams and it could go either way … WARREN by 1
AML Title Game
Ridgway (8-1) at Cameron County (4-5)
Week 2 was a long time ago, but is there any reason to believe it won’t be different than the 42-8 Ridgway victory over the Red Raiders?
If Cameron County looks to change its fortunes this time around, they won’t need any extra motivation.
Running backs Rusty Setzer and Caleb Burnside and Cameron’s offensive line will need to maintain ball control and avoid the big first quarter hole they dug themselves the first time around.
Likewise, quarterback Keith Spehalski and the Cameron County receivers will have to make plays when called upon in the passing game.
For Ridgway, the recipe is simple. Continue to ride the three-headed monster of Ben MacDonald, Cole Myers and J.P. Cerroni offensively and ride a defense that, outside of its 32-7 loss to Union, is allowing just 11 ppg.
I think coach Mike Kunes and his staff will have Cameron County ready to play, and I expect this game to be closer than the first time around, but I think it ends with the same result … RIDGWAY by 10
Non-League
Otto-Eldred (3-6) at Cowanesque Valley (1-8)
The reason Cameron County is fighting for its playoff life tonight is because of a 32-26 Otto-Eldred victory over the Red Raiders in Week 8.
O-E, which started the season 0-6, has won three straight and looks to close its season on a high note against a 1-8 Cow Valley squad that has been outscored 305-108 on the season.
Seth Drummond has garnered many of the headlines for the Terrors in recent weeks, but Nick Appleby has really played well at the quarterback position, as has receiver Heath Stewart.
Look for Otto to end the season on a high note … OTTO-ELDRED by 21
Kane (5-3) at Clarion-Limestone (1-8)
It will be interesting to see how the Wolves come out after a bye week.
There is the chance for rust, but that doesn’t appear like it will be an issue against a 1-8 Clarion-Limestone teams that has lost by an average of 32 ppg.
Nevertheless, it will be good for the Wolves to get back on the field and tune-up before the Class A playoffs … KANE by 28
Elk County Catholic (8-1) at St. Marys (6-3)
It’s been way too long for this game to get played again.
City rivals Elk County Catholic and St. Marys meet with bragging rights at stake before each enter the playoffs — Elk County Catholic in Class A and St. Marys in AA next week.
What a turnaround its been for the Crusaders. After an 0-9 season a year ago, this group has formed a new identity.
The Dutch primarily get it done on the ground, with T.J Hogan (887 yards) and Kyle Glatt (689 yards).
Elk County Catholic also relies on its ground attack, with Mitchell Smith (595 yards), Noah Werner (536 yards) and Dan Singer (477 yards).
When they do go the air, Smith has bee efficient, completing 53 percent of his passes for 690 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, with Ryan Seelye (27 receptions, 384 yards, 5 TDs) his leading target.
Should be a good one … ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC by 1
Sheffield at Eisenhower … EISENHOWER By 13
Mercer at Brockway .. BROCKWAY by 7
Karns City at DuBois … DUBOIS by 1
Redbank Valley at Blairsville … REDBANK VALLEY by 3
Penns Manor at Keystone … PENNS MANOR by 14
A-C Valley at Cochranton … COCHRANTON by 21
Seneca at Youngsville … SENECA By 28
Moniteau at Union … UNION by 7
West Shamokin at Curwensville … CURWENSVILLE by 7
District 10 Region 5
Conneaut at Oil City … CONNEAUT by 21
Meadville at Franklin … MEADVILLE by 7
RON’S PICKS
Friday
AML title game: Ridgway at Cameron County … RIDGWAY by 16
Bradford at Warren … BRADFORD by 10
Conneaut at Oil City … CONNEAUT by 24
Meadville at Franklin … MEADVILLE by 21
Otto-Eldred at Cowanesque Valley … OTTO-ELDRED by 18
Sheffield at Eisenhower … EISENHOWER by 12
Kane at Clarion-Limestone … KANE by 18
Elk County Catholic at St. Marys … ECC by 6
Mercer at Brockway … BROCKWAY by 4
Karns City at DuBois … DUBOIS by 14
Redbank Valley at Blairsville … REDBANK VALLEY by 18
Penns Manor at Keystone … PENNS MANOR by 8
A-C Valley at Cochranton … COCHRANTON by 12
Seneca at Youngsville … SENECA by 14
Moniteau at Union … MONITEAU by 8
