Bradford’s win over Punxsutawney last Friday night can be summed
up by using just two names – E.J. Moore and Cody Godding.

Moore, a 6-1, 200-pound senior, rushed for 173 yards and two
touchdowns in the game and Godding, a 6-3, 200-pound junior,
recorded 14 tackles from his defensive end position.

“E.J. was the story offensively for us,” head coach Steve
Ackerman said Wednesday night during his weekly interview. “He ran
very well.

“Defensively, seven of Cody’s 14 tackles were solos and anytime
that happens, you’re playing pretty well,” he added.

Summing up the overall performance of his team, you get the
feeling Ackerman may have been scratching his head just a
little.

“From an overall standpoint, we played okay in the first half
and started out well in the second half, but then we got a little
sloppy,” he explained. “We didn’t protect the ball and got some
penalties.

“I guess the main thing though is that we put another piece of
the puzzle in place and that’s what we’re working toward.”

The unbeaten Owls (3-0) are healthy and will be at full strength
for Friday night’s non-league home game against Warren. The Dragons
have won their last two games impressively after dropping their
season opener.

Both head coaches feel that stopping the other team’s big plays
will be the key.

“They (Dragons) have a very explosive offense with a lot of very
skilled players,” Ackerman observed. “Their offensive line is very
good, too.

“They are also one of the few teams we’ll see this year that is
faster than we are.

“Boje (Cole) is one heck of a running back. He runs hard, has
some speed and is a tough guy to bring down.

“Eaton (Jeff) their quarterback has a rocket for an arm and Ben
Paul, one of his receivers, can fly. Paul can run right by people.
When they go four wide, all their receivers have about the same
number of catches. Eaton spreads the ball around and they all have
great hands.

“They have a big-play offense, too, and with their running game
out of the shotgun, it’s going to be one of those games where
whoever’s defense plays the best, is going to win the game.

“Brandon (Falk) is doing a great job with those kids,” Ackerman
added.

Falk, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for Bradford and sees a
lot of similarities in the two teams.

“Talent and size-wise our teams are evenly matched,” he said
Wednesday night. “The question mark for our defense will be
limiting their big play success. If you look back at the Clearfield
game, twice in the first half and twice in the second half, they
had scoring drives of just a few plays. They did it last week
against Punxsy, too. We have to eliminate their big plays.

“Our kids are more familiar with our program and have gained
confidence, and I’m sure their kids have, too. These are not the
same two teams that played each other in the preseason scrimmage,”
he emphasized.

Kickoff Friday night at Parkway Field will be 7 p.m.