Tonight’s matchup between Oil City and Bradford features two teams that have gotten pretty used to winning of late.

The Oilers (8-1) are one of District 10’s top teams and have won five games in a row by a whopping 235-46 margin.

The Owls (6-3), meanwhile, have turned their season around with four consecutive double-digit victories, but will face their stiffest test during the second half of the season tonight at 7 p.m. at Parkway Field against those Oilers.

The biggest obstacle in Bradford’s way will be Oil City running back Christian Cole.

Cole’s stats are simply mind-blowing: 37 touchdowns, 2,662 yards and five games over 300 yards rushing.

So, what is Bradford’s game plan to at the very least limit Cole’s production?

“It’s going to take a team effort,” Bradford head coach Jeff Puglio said. “You need to get 11 guys on him at all times to focus on where he is and try to slow him down.”

Cole is just 312 yards shy of breaking District 10’s all-time rushing record and has already shattered several Oil City school marks.

“He doesn’t have the blazing speed (of some of the other backs), but his feet never stop moving and he runs hard. He is impressive to watch on film.”

Bradford’s defense, however, has played well since that season-opening 69-60 defeat to Brookville. Other than a 28-point loss to Ridgway in Week 3, the Owls have held each of their seven opponents to 20 points or fewer.

On the other side of the ball, Bradford’s offense has been clicking on all cylinders during the win streak. The Owls have scored 34 points in four straight games, and continue to rely on the potent rushing attack of Donny Pattison (221 yards last week) and Jaron Ambrose (175 all-purpose yards).

“Our offense has been pretty explosive over the last four weeks,” Puglio said. “It’s been fun to watch them work and especially with the way the line and the wings are blocking. That has set up some pretty explosive plays.”

“Really like Ambrose and Donny blocking for each other,” he added. “They’ve been springing each other on big runs because of that.”  

The passing offense had one of its best games of the season last week against Karns City.  Quarterback Caleb Nuzzo threw for 150 yards and connected on two touchdown passes to Ambrose. They’ll need to be a two-dimensional offense once again this week against an Oil City team that has held its last eight opponents to 17 points or fewer.

And for as well as the Owls have been playing of late, Puglio hopes to see a little bit more energy out of the gate tonight. Puglio lamented that his team looked flat for most of last week’s game against Karns City, but is confident that won’t be the case with so much on the line tonight.

“They know what’s at stake,” he said. “They are playing for Parkway Field and that’s really important and the guys will be ready for that.”

A victory, along with a Bellefonte loss to Bald Eagle, will give the Owls a first-round home game next Friday.

“We’ve been treating the past two or three weeks as playoff games as it is,” he said. “That’s been one of our goals (home field) and we have a shot at it.”

Oil City (8-1) at Bradford (6-3)

This game will be closer than many are predicting, but Christian Cole will prove just too much for the Owls to handle. OIL CITY by 6.

Otto-Eldred (4-5) at Cowanesque Valley (0-9)

The Indians have lost 14 consecutive games dating back to last season. The Terrors, needing to get another win to reach .500 and qualify for a playoff berth, will roll in this one. OTTO BY 30.

Clarion-Limestone (7-2) at Clarion (6-3)

Austin Newcomb ran for 416 yards last week and is currently the D-9’s leading rusher. He should have no issues continuing that against a Bobcat squad that has lost three straight. C-L BY 7.

Brookville (6-3) at DuBois (3-6)

The Raiders shocked District 9 with a 28-11 victory over previously unbeaten Ridgway last week. Brookville has scored 148 points over its last three games — all with a backup quarterback. BROOKVILLE by 13.

Union/A-C Valley (4-5) at Ridgway (8-1)

The Elkers were stunned by Brookville last week, but a team with this much talent on both sides of the ball won’t let it happen again — even against a team hungry for a win. RIDGWAY BY 24.

Brockway (7-2) at Curwensville (6-3)

This game could go either way with both teams fighting for a crucial win for playoff seeding. The edge goes to the Rovers because Curwensville’s defense has been struggling mightily of late. BROCKWAY by 8.

St. Marys (0-9) at Warren (5-4)

The Dutch would love to end the season with a win, but it’ll be a tall task against the District 10 Dragons that have won 14 straight games in this series. WARREN by 35.

Punxsutawney (2-7) at Redbank Valley (6-3)

The Bulldogs have turned their season around after a tough three-game losing skid. Redbank’s offense, led by quarterback Keaton Kahle, has been on fire and will jump a few spots in the playoff positioning with a win tonight. RV by 16.

Keystone (3-6) at Moniteau (5-4)

The Panthers have managed just 14 points total over their last three games. MONITEAU by 14.

Bishop Carroll (2-7) at Clearfield (9-0)

The Bison have rolled this season, winning every game by at least 14 points. That won’t change tonight. CLEARFIELD by 40.

Karns City (3-6) at Titusville (2-7)

The Rockets have lost six straight games coming into this one against Karns City. The Gremlins nearly upset Bradford last week and should ride on some of that momentum to close out their season. KARNS by 10.