Tonight the wheat is going to be separated from the chaff!

That’s an old farmers saying.

If you’re not a farmer, what that means is that the AML braintrust is done beating up on the North Division with its brutal – actually it should be illegal – crossover schedule.

Beginning tonight, the big boys (South Division) will be matched up against each other, while some North teams unable to pick up a win in the first four games of the season may just put a “W” in the book. The exception – and there’s always one – is Coudersport vs. Sheffield.

Coudy and Otto-Eldred were the only North teams to beat a South opponent in the first four weeks, while Cameron County, Port Allegany, Smethport and Sheffield all went winless. Smethport did not score a point until last week. As Hubbers’ coach Adam Jack so aptly put it …”It was a small step.”

I really hope that the schedule will be revised next season.

RANKINGS: if you like rankings then this will be of interest.

Three organizations who rank Pennsylvania high school football teams have unbeaten Kane listed at three different positions.

Western PA Football.net has the 4-0 Wolves in 4th place in Class AA, Pennsylvania Football News has them 7th in the state and MaxPreps lists them at the No. 14 team.

That’s a pretty big spread going from 4th to 14th. I wonder who compiled those figures?

Also receiving some attention were unbeaten Ridgway 7th in Class A by Pennsylvania Football News and Clarion. The Bobcats were seeded 8th in Class AA by Pennsylvania Football News and 18th by MaxPreps.

I would guess those MaxPreps guys haven’t seen too many games north of Route 80.

NEVER GIVE UP — I just want to wish Ridgway’s Joey Elinski a speedy recovery. He was injured in last week’s game with Sheffield. I understand a Wolverines’ player as also injured, but not as seriously.

Injuries are part of football, but it certainly puts a lot of pressure on the family when they realize their son isn’t in the huddle. I put my parents through a similar situation, although it wasn’t sports related and was over 50 years ago, but it still haunts my mother.

MY RECORD: If you remember last week Pete took over for me because I was a little under the weather. Some people thought I was ready to kick the bucket, according to my wife who had to assure them it was just a little bug.

And, contrary to what Pete believes I wasn’t distraught because I didn’t pick Otto-Eldred to get its first win. I sure wish I would have. That would have been sweet!

I finished with a 7-4 mark, certainly nothing to brag about. For the season I stand at 29-12.

Now onto this weekend:

TONIGHT’S GAMES

Elk Catholic at Bradford, 7 p.m.

Bradford caught a break to start its inter-divisional game schedule. The Crusaders are not the team of old and the Owls have a lot of weapons this season. It’s no secret that Bradford will keep the ball on the ground. ECCH just has to find a way to shut down the running game. Bradford by 21

Curwensville at Kane, 7 p.m.

This could be the best game of the night and the winner could very well have a lock on the North Division title. Both teams are unbeaten, but the Wolves’ defense will have the biggest challenge after Nick Stewart became District 9’s all-time career rushing leader last week. Kane by 16

Smethport at Cameron County

I consider this a toss-up. The Hubbers finally put points on the board last week, but the Red Raiders have the home field advantage. Cameron County by 8

Otto-Eldred at Port Allegany.

The Gators just can’t seem to get on track and the Terrors have tasted victory. Otto-Eldred by 12.

St. Marys at Union/A-C Valley, 7 p.m.

I’m putting the Dutch on notice! If they don’t win tonight I’m giving up on them. St. Marys by 4

Ridgway at Brockway

I think the Elkers are going to win this game for Joey. Look out Rovers!  Ridgway by 20

THE OTHER GAMES

Clarion at Clarion-Limestone, Clarion by 24

Keystone at Moniteau, Moniteau by 14

Redbank Valley at Brookville, Brookville by 10

Punxsutawney at Karns City, Karns City by 21

Clearfield at Central Mountain, Clearfield by 16

Warren at DuBois, DuBois by 6

SATURDAY’S GAME

Coudersport at Sheffield, 1:30 p.m.

Falcons should have no problem with the Wolverines. Coudersport by 12