The overall merger plan for most of District 9’s football schools that was hammered out Wednesday and released on Thursday is welcomed and was needed. Cooperation between member schools will assure a solid future for the sport in the district.
The AML and KSAC, as they are now known, will be dissolved and the merger of both will be called the District 9 Football League Association. Numerous details, including schedules and the league constitution, will be announced at the conclusion of the PIAA state football championships.
With low roster numbers and co-ops, something had to be done. Thursday’s announcement has the district on track and headed in the right direction.
It is a little known fact these days, but the PIAA had District 9 squarely in its sights to be dissolved years ago. The district was and still is spread out over approximately 150 miles from the state line with New York to well below Route 80 in Pennsylvania.
One of the factors that held off the wolves (PIAA) was the fact that there were so many small schools in the district; the North Tier League, which also has members in the AML, and the KSAC which is basically smaller schools.
That talk (dissolving District 9) has been quiet for some time, but it came as no surprise to anyone that there had to be some type of realignment in football in the district and it had to be done quickly and by the member schools.
Two years ago a dedicated group of District 9 committee members and school officials presented their idea for a merger to D-9 schools that play football, but it was voted down. Some schools were more concerned about themselves and just weren’t ready to do what was best for the district.
Thank goodness that work continued behind the scenes and Wednesday (approval meeting) it became a reality. There is still work to be done, but it will be worth it in the end.
One of the schools supporting the plan was Bradford High. The Owls were forced into playing a District 10 schedule when the District 9 League dissolved and were paying the price. In their final game three seasons ago, head coach Jeff Puglio dressed less than 30 players.
Former Bradford High Athletic Director Tim Walter, said recently, “We just couldn’t stay in District 10. If we had, we wouldn’t have a football program.”
When the merger plan for the district was presented, Bradford immediately voiced its approval. The school informed District 10 it would not return for the 2016 season. When the merger was not approved, Bradford was left with no schedule.
Luckily, the AML had an opening in its South Division and Bradford gladly accepted the opportunity to fill it. Of course, the automatic reaction was that the school was too big. The Owls would dominate, but it didn’t happen.
After the announcement on Thursday, current Bradford Athletic Director David “Pug” Fuhrman said, “It‘s (merger) great for us. Obviously we will be in the large school division and we are happy with it.”
Head coach Jeff Puglio was very pleased that an agreement had been reached.
“We will dress 37 players Friday night. We joined the AML in hopes that a new league would be formed,” he said Thursday night. “We are hoping to get some of our old rivals back on the schedule. They (officials) are still sorting some things out, so it isn’t all finalized yet.”
During AML media day this past August, Cameron County head coach Scott Burnside was one of those who knew something had to be done.
“We’re in the low 20s …that’s got to be the bottom,” Burnside stated. “We can’t go below that. I really hope that the league does something and the schedule is changed. Something is going to happen, especially if this trend continues through this year.
“From what I understood, the scheduling that took place was good for two years (2016-2017), so something may change. It would be great for small schools, even if we have to travel a little bit, we’re small, we’re the odd man out, whatever.
“We’ll go find some other small schools to play. I know the guys in the North are all in the same boat and I don’t see anybody outgrowing one another.”
“I’d like to see a small-school schedule with the AML and KSAC, like what was on the table. It’s not going to be a perfect world for us. We might be the smallest school in all that, or Sheffield. I see Youngsville folded. Eisenhower is also out there.”
It now appears that the wishes of most schools in the district have been granted, but not without a lot of work by a dedicated few. Now it’s just a matter of working out the details.
DISAPPOINTED
It is my understanding that both Clearfield and DuBois have expressed no interest in joining the merger. Both schools are in District 9 but play schedules elsewhere. The Bisons are in a District 6 league and DuBois in District 10.
It would be to their benefit to come back into the fold, but it’s not going to happen right now. Their return would strengthen District 9 and really improve the large school division.
THE RECORD
No bragging this week! I dropped three games, finishing with an 8-3 record last week. For the season I stand at 64-20.
TONIGHT’S GAMES
(All games begin at 7 p.m.)
Bradford at Curwensville
The Owls are playing their best football right now and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Playing and winning on the once-beaten Golden Tide’s home field won’t be easy. Quarterback Bryce Timko and District 9 career rushing record holder Nick Stewart are a formidable one-two punch. Timko likes going to the air and that’s an area the Owls have gotten burned on. Bradford’s opportunity to make the playoffs would be helped greatly with a win in their regular season finale. For the Owls’ seniors it could be their last shot. BRADFORD by 6
Otto-Eldred at Smethport
The Terrors are in position to claim the AML North Division title with a win. It will be the final AML North crown up for grabs following the announced merger between the league and the KSAC that was announced on Thursday. Those two leagues will no longer exist. There will be one District 9 Football League, with two small school divisions and one large school. This is O-E’s opportunity to put itself in the AML history book. If the Terrors lose -— well that’s a whole different story! OTTO-ELDRED by 12
Port Allegany at Coudersport
Mainly because this game is at CARP Field is why I have to go with the Falcons. The Gators are working their way up through the ‘cycle rotation’ as I call it, but I think the home team has the advantage tonight. COUDERSPORT by 16
Kane at Brockway
After Bradford roughed up the Rovers last week, I don’t think the Wolves will have any problems with them even on the road. KANE by 24
Sheffield at Cameron County
All the stars are aligned — according to me — for the winless Red Raiders. I see a win here for them. CAMERON COUNTY BY 12
Elk Catholic at Ridgway
Surprisingly, both the Crusaders and the Elkers have struggled in AML play. ECC is winless in the South and Ridgway has but one win. I feel the Elkers will prevail. RIDGWAY By 8
St. Marys at Brookville
No-brainer on this one! BROOKVILLE by 18
THE OTHER GAMES
Keystone at Clarion-Limestone, CLARION-LIMESTONE by 4
Union/A-C Valley at Clarion, CLARION by 26
Punxsutawney at Redbank Valley, REDBANK VALLEY by 6
Moniteau at Karns City, KARNS CITY by 12
