Do you believe that it’s already the middle of the high school
football season!

It seems that only yesterday was the official start of practice,
then came two scrimmages and now it’s the fifth weekend of the
season.

Boy, how time flies.

To bring you up to date, there are five unbeaten teams in the
Big 30/Don Raabe Charities Classic area.

If you’re confused about my use of that name, it’s because not
all of the teams whose records we list each week are in the Big 30
area like the old days.

To get more schools involved in the all-star game in August, the
Raabe Classic committee also includes Warren, Eisenhower and
Youngsville. All three of those schools are in Warren County.

The fourth county school there is Sheffield, but the Wolverines
have always been a member of the Big 30 area. Remember, too, that
Sheffield is also a District 9 team after jumping over from
District 10.

Now, back to those five unbeaten teams, who are Bradford,
Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Coudersport, Eisenhower and
Johnsonburg.

The only member of that group not a surprise is Coudersport,
which many predicted would enjoy another good season after winning
the District 9 Class A title last year among its 13-straight
victories.

There are also five once-beaten teams with Randolph heading the
pack. Joining the Cardinals are Allegany-Limestone, Cuba-Rushford,
Ellicottville and West Valley.

Randolph was picked to dominate its schedule much like
Coudersport, but the Cardinals ran into a strong Silver Creek team
two weeks ago. Silver Creek is a favorite to make a Section 6
championship run this fall.

There are 10 teams on the bubble at 2-2, while the remaining 11
are struggling for wins. Three of them are still looking for their
first “W” of the season.

MID-SEASON: The Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald Big 30 football
committee, of which yours truly is a member, held its mid-season
meeting last weekend to look at potential candidates for the annual
Big 30 All-Star Team.

Remember, that team can be made up of sophomores, juniors and
seniors. Normally seniors dominate the squad, but there are juniors
who make the team and once in a great while even a sophomore, but
he’d better be pretty darn good.

So, if you’re out their plying football for a Big 30 area team,
you’ve got five more games – including this weekend – to impress
the committeemen.

THE RECORD: I put together an 18-7 record last week. I gave two
games away, looking for a win by Smethport and one from Cameron
County. I also thought Port Allegany would prevail, but Kane proved
me wrong. For the season I stand at 67-37.

Now on to this weekend’s offerings.

TONIGHT

Bradford at St. Marys

The Dutch will definitely have their hands full. Bradford has a
wide open running game, and Owls’ quarterback Ben Walter has shown
he can throw the ball, too. The Dutch could have a chance if they
can keep the game close in the first half because the Owls have had
a tendency to get a little lax in the third quarter the last two
weeks. If it happens tonight and St. Marys can’t capitalize on it,
it could be a long night for the Dutch. Bradford by 18

Port Allegany at Coudersport

The Gators got my vote last week and couldn’t come through, so I
certainly don’t see it happening this week. Coudersport by 16

Sheffield at Smethport

Here’s a toss-up. Both teams are winless. Home team, maybe.
Visiting team, possibly. I’m going with the visitors … Sheffield by
6

Otto-Eldred at Cameron County

No problem here. The Red Raiders should be able to handle the
Terrors at home. Cameron County by 14

Ridgway at Kane

I had my doubts about the Wolves. After losing their starting
quarterback, I wasn’t sure how soon they’d regroup. Seems like they
already have following their win over Port Allegany last week. The
Elkers won big, too, at Sheffield, but I’m looking at strength of
opponent. Kane by 8

Curwensville at Johnsonburg

This could be the best game of the night! The Golden Tide would
love to knock the Rams off the unbeatens list, but I don’t think
it’ll happen. Johnsonburg by 10

SATURDAY’S GAME

Brockway at Elk County Catholic

The Rovers put big points on the board last week, but I don’t
see that happening on Saturday against the Crusaders. ECC by 12

THE OTHER GAMES

Tonight

Brookville at Clarion-Limestone, Brookville by 20

Clearfield at Lewistown, Clearfield by 8

Kittanning at DuBois, Kittanning by 4

Huntingdon at Punxsutawney, Huntingdon by 6

Warren at Erie Strong Vincent, Strong Vincent by 18

Eisenhower at Maplewood, Eisenhower by 4

Youngsville at Conneaut Valley, Youngsville by 6

Franklinville at Ellicottville, Ellicottville by 12

Pioneer at Alden, Alden by 2

Bolivar-Richburg at Cuba-Rushford, Cuba-Rushford by 6

John F. Kennedy at Salamanca, J.F.K. by 2

Hinsdale at Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Catt.-Little Valley by
18

Allegany-Limestone at Silver Creek, Silver Creek by 8

West Valley at Portville, West Valley by 2

Perry at Wellsville, Wellsville by 4

Sherman at Olean Walsh, Sherman by 6

Maple Grove at Randolph, Randolph by 12

Saturday

Southwestern at Olean High, Olean by 2

Gowanda at Cassadaga Valley, Gowanda by 10