The most important number for the Port Allegany Gators is that they are 5-0 going in a Week 6 contest against Ridgway.
There are other numbers, too, numbers that give a clear indication as to why they are 5-0, and they are not only some of the best in District 9 or even the state for that matter. The Gators and specifically junior running back Aiden Bliss are putting up some of the best rushing totals in the country.
Per MaxPreps (which an overwhelming majority of teams enter stats into), Bliss is second in the nation in touchdowns with 24, trailing only Alvin Henderson of Elba (Alabama), a senior 4-star recruit per 247 Sports who is committed to Auburn.
Bliss ranks 11th in the nation in rushing yards with 1,123 yards through five games, which remarkably isn’t even the best in District 9. That honor belongs to Clearfield’s Brady Collins, who has 1,254 yards (eighth in the nation) and 15 touchdowns. Bliss is also averaging 11.6 yards per carry, which isn’t even the best on his own team. Tristan Kiser has rushed for 542 yards and seven touchdowns on 42 carries, an average of 12.9 yards per carry.
Any great running back will tell you they wouldn’t be what they are without a great offensive line. And those linemen on the Gators make no bones about the fact that they wanted to come out and dominate this season. Both Carson Neely and Juuso Young said during District 9 media day back in early August said they wanted to make certain Bliss got to 2,000 yards.
Of course, that success would likely mean they would still be practicing by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. That, of course, is the ultimate goal. And while there is still a long way to go to get to that point, the Gators are exactly where they want to be through five weeks.
BIG WIN FOR TERRORS
Before the season started, I went to do a little digging to see the last time Otto-Eldred won seven games a season. I couldn’t pinpoint a year, but it hasn’t been anytime in recent memory. That could all be changing this season if the Terrors continue to play the way they are.
A Week 3 loss to Kane aside, they have played some really good football. They bounced back from that loss to the Wolves with back-to-back wins, including a big one on Saturday against Cameron County in a battle for first place in Region 3. Most people know about the O-E offense, but it was their defense that was the story in an 18-7 win over the Red Raiders. They will look to get to 5-1 when they travel to Sheffield on Saturday.
HOMECOMING
FOR OWLS
Bradford is looking to turn the tide as they welcome Punxsutawney this Friday for Homecoming. Since a lopsided Week 2 win over Moniteau, the Owls have lost three straight, including last week to Central Clarion, the No. 2 ranked team in the state in Class 2A. No one will fault the Owls for that one, and despite being at 1-4, they still have plenty of opportunities in front of them.
ELSEWHERE AROUND DISTRICT 9
– Smethport picked up its first win of the season, 46-20 over Bucktail on their Homecoming last Friday, in a game that was easily their best offensive performance of the season. They will look to make it two in a row when they travel to Coudersport on Friday.
– While their record may not say so at 1-4, Kane has definitely shown improvement as the season has gone on. They were very competitive in a 27-14 loss to a good Brockway team last week, and will look for win No. 2 this week, but it won’t be easy as they play host to 4-1 Redbank Valley.
– Ridgway’s defense has kept them all but one game this season (against Redbank Valley), but it is the Elker rushing attack that led them to easily their best offensive output last Friday when they beat Coudersport, 45-16. The Elkers rushed for 402 yards as a team, led by Rocco Delhunty’s 161 yards. The Elkers have a huge test in front of them this week when they host Port Allegany.
– St. Marys has scored 110 points the last two weeks in wins over Bradford and Moniteau, and they have a chance to make it three wins in a row when they travel to Brookville. Ben Paul has thrown for 386 yards in those games.
