Week 1 of the high school football season is officially in the books, and there certainly isn’t a shortage of things to talk about.
A few surprises, a whole lot of big numbers and much more, here are a few of the highlights from the opening of high school football season across District 9.
Running wild
Locally, offensive lines and running backs flexed their collective muscles. A pair of backs — Port Allegany’s Aiden Bliss and Otto-Eldred’s Hunter App, eclipsed 200 yards rushing. That success led to big wins for each, with the Gators beating Keystone and the Terrors rallying to beat Coudersport.
It’s no secret that both teams want to impose their will on their opponents through the ground game, and both did just that in their openers.
Sheffield snaps long losing streak
Sheffield beat Bucktail on its home field on Saturday, 38-6, snapping a 27-game losing streak for the program. The Wolverines hadn’t won a game since beating Port Allegany, 22-14 on Oct. 5, 2019. The Wolverines were in a co-op with Warren in 2020.
The win was the first for Sheffield coach Mike Barr, and his son Colby had a big hand in it, throwing a 69-yard touchdown pass to Cire Brown-House. Barr threw for 116 yards and also had 40 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The Wolverines travel to Duke Center to take on Otto-Eldred on Friday.
Central Clarion might be even better than 2023
Central Clarion rolled to a District 9 Class 2A title in 2023, winning every game by at least three touchdowns (and most by much more) before falling to Westinghouse, 46-30 in the state playoffs. Westinghouse went on to lose in the state championship game to Southern Columbia, 21-20.
Could they be even better this season? They certainly looked the part on Friday, overwhelming a quality DuBois team, 66-14. Senior quarterback Jase Ferguson threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats travel to St. Marys on Friday.
Redbank Valley looks the part once again
A PIAA semifinalist in Class 1A a year, defending District 9 champion Redbank Valley opened 2024 with a bang, beating Union/A-C Valley 49-13.
Junior quarterback Braylon Wagner threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns and also had 74 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Junior receiver Jaxon Huffman had 10 receptions for 112 yards and a score as well.
It’s early, but the Bulldogs look like they will be firmly in the Class A title race again this season.
Wishing a speedy recovery to Hayden Freeman
Brookville senior Hayden Freeman suffered what appeared to be a significant leg injury on a punt return against Bradford on Friday and had to be taken off on a stretcher. Freeman is not only a standout in football, but also track and field. He won the 2024 James Manners Award (top point getter in Class 2A District 9 meet) and was a member of the Raiders’ 4×100 relay team that finished fifth at the state championships in the spring.
Karns City wins in more ways than one
Karns City beat Moniteau (which hosts Bradford this Friday) 59-0 to open their season, but that wasn’t the biggest win they had this week. Former standout Mason Martin, who nearly lost his life a year ago after suffering a medical emergency on the field against Redbank Valley, spoke for the first time since, his father Denny posted on Facebook late last week. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we continue to root for Mason on his road to recovery every day!
