NEW BETHLEHEM — A pair of undefeated teams will put their unblemished records and a lot more on the line when Smethport forays into Redbank Valley tonight.
Under first-year head coach Blane Gold, Redbank Valley is off to its first 5-0 start since 2014 (the Bulldogs started 4-0 a season ago), and is in sole possession of first place in the Small School South Division, as well as first place in the Class 1A power rankings with 600 points.
The 4-0 Hubbers will put their regular season win streak — now up to 13 games in the past two seasons — on the line, as well as their spot atop the Small School North Division standings, which they hold in a tie with Coudersport.
In the power point rankings, Smethport is in fourth with 430 points, trailing RV, Coudersport and Union/A-C Valley. A win would likely catapult the Hubbers to the front.
“We’ve been telling the kids it’s a great opportunity to play a good team in a big game,” Smethport head coach Adam Jack said. “It’s a big moment of the season, and it’s an exciting opportunity.”
The two teams are both run-first, but in different ways. Smethport has utilized athleticism and speed on the edges thus far, while Redbank Valley is big and prefers pound the ball between the tackles.
The Hubbers are averaging 243.5 yards per game on the ground this season, due in large part to mobile quarterback Noah Lent’s recent performances.
In each of the last three games, Lent has rushed for 130 yards or more, and has scored at least once in each of those wins.
Running back Braedon Johnson is having quite a season, as well. He’s averaging 77 yards per game, and had a breakout performance against Curwensville, during which he ran for 137 yards and a pair of scores on 15 carries.
Those two split carries with fullback Hunter Lent, who had an 80-yard night against Sheffield to open the season, and scored during that game.
“Obviously, Noah is a huge part of our offense, and it runs through him,” Jack said. “We’ll want to get him established early, and hopefully that opens up other things for us. We have other playmakers in Braedon and Hunter, as well.”
When the Hubbers aren’t running, they have plenty of firepower in the air, too. Lent threw for 197 yards and five touchdowns in Smethport’s season-opening 40-0 win over Sheffield, and targets include Johnson and Ryli Burritt. Jack also noted that the Hubbers would like to get Richard McDowell more involved this week, as well.
That ability to spread the ball in various ways will be important for Smethport as it faces off with a Bulldog team that features plenty of size and power.
“The only thing we can do is neutralize that (size) with our athleticism and speed,” Jack said. “That’s been our M.O. all season long — swarm on defense and use speed to get our guys the ball out in space… We’ll see how things go, and we’ll take what they give us.”
On offense, Redbank Valley is averaging 284.6 yards per game on the ground. Of the Bulldogs’ 29 touchdowns on the season, 26 have come by way of running the ball.
Sophomore standout running back Ray Shreckengost is pacing RV with 402 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries. Junior Kobe Bonanno isn’t far behind, as he’s run for 306 yards and six scores on 39 carries.
“I think they’re focused on using their big linemen up front and big backs to carry more of the load,” Jack said in comparing the RV offense to Smethport’s.
When the Bulldogs do take to the air, quarterback Gunner Mangiantini is 48-for-81 on pass attempts in 2019, and has thrown for 556 yards and three touchdowns, but has been picked off three times.
His most prolific target is senior Ethan Hetrick, who has hauled in 11 receptions for 226 yards and two of Mangiantini’s three touchdown passes.
For the Smethport defense to be successful, Jack says the Hubs will have to swarm on defense, stop the run and control the trenches.
“We’ll need 11 hats on the ball every play,” he said. “And we’ll have to do our best to jam up the line of scrimmage and make (Redbank Valley) go lateral as opposed to vertical. We’ll be successful if we stop the run and take advantage of our athleticism and speed.”
Kickoff in New Bethlehem is set for 7 p.m.
