A football season isn’t very unlike school work.
There’s studying, lots of practice and tests.
Last Friday, Bradford High had its first test in the Allegheny Mountain League’s South division after four weeks of crossover play. Judging by the 42-0 scoreline, the 5-0 Owls passed with flying colors. Not only that, but it was the program’s first-ever win in the AML South after going an unceremonious 0-5 in their league debut last year.
“It feels good to win,” Owls head coach Jeff Puglio said. “It feels good to win at home. It felt like we were starting to put things together on Friday night. There’s still going to be some mistakes, but I feel like we played better.”
Even if they are 5-0 for the first time in 10 years, Puglio said he’s still waiting for his team to come out and play to maximum physicality.
“I don’t think we have – despite being 5-0 – I don’t’ think we’ve come out and physically dominated opponents,” Puglio said. “I keep talking to our team about that killer instinct and that eye of the tiger. The Ridgways, the Kanes, the teams that are good year after year, it never turns off. We’re not there yet.
“Can we come out that focused and maintain it throughout four quarters?”
If they’re not there yet, there’s reason to believe the team isn’t too far off.
The Owls, as they have so far in 2017, were able to get a ground attack established. John Eakin’s 140 yards and four touchdowns led the 365-yard rushing effort, while Jaron Ambrose added 71, Zach Woodel 50, Vinny Burgess 45 and Derek Sunafrank 44.
Defensively, the Owls pitched its second shutout of the season and have only allowed 24 points in five games. Eight of those points weren’t even given up by the defense, as Coudersport returned a fumble for a score, while Cameron County scored late against the BHS junior varsity team.
Even with the lopsided score against ECC, Puglio said the Crusaders’ defense never softened or let up. With four more weeks of South play, that’s to be expected in every game.
“They kept coming after us despite the score and everything,” Puglio said. “We know in the South, teams are going to fight with you until the end. We’re happy to get the ‘W’ and happy to be 5-0, but there’s a lot of season left and a lot to do and accomplish.”
This week’s opponent is a hard-nosed Ridgway Elker (4-1) squad fresh off a narrow 24-21 loss at Brockway. Puglio said he’s impressed with the size of the defending District 9 Class A champions’ line.
“You can tell that their guys really pay the price in the weight room,” Puglio said. “They have a really nice offensive and defensive line that get after you and it’s something we haven’t seen this year.”
How will the Owls respond to that pressure, something that hasn’t been a major concern through five games?
“It’s on us to see how we handle it,” Puglio said. “That’s something that I’m really looking at coming into this game, can we match the physicality of Ridgway?”
The Owls will have plenty of opportunities Friday, as the Owls try to slow down running back Neil MacDonald (590 yards, 11 touchdowns), quarterback Johnny Mitchell and an offense averaging 40 points per game.
If they can, it will be another aced test in a season that will only continue to present more and more challenging ones.
