After the fourth week of the season the Clearfield Bisons and Punxsutawney Chucks had identical records at 2-2, their even records also placed them for a tie for last place in D9AAA. Not many would have predicted that the Chucks would reel off six straight wins, and the Bisons to win five of six games, and for the two to matchup in the District 9 AAA championship game. Then again it’s like the old saying, “I guess that’s why they play the games”.
How They Got To The Title Game
Punxsy – The Chucks left the comforts of the D9 AAA league this past off season and became a member of the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) comprised of mostly smaller schools in the Clarion area. The Chucks have signature wins over Redbank Valley (6-0), Clarion (20-6), Moniteau (45-16) and Keystone (26-10). All four teams have qualified for the playoffs with Clarion actually carrying the title as the #2 seed in the D9A bracket. Not too bad of season for first year Head Coach Alan Nichol who took on the mission of rebuilding the Chucks program.
Clearfield – For the third straight year the Bisons played a tough schedule against many District 6 opponents in the Mountain Athletic Conference. The Bisons lost a heartbreaker to open up the season for the second straight year against Dubois, blowing a 14 point halftime lead. If it wasn’t for costly penalties the Bisons also would have upended state power Tyrone, once again blowing a halftime lead. In the 6th week of the season it looked as if the Bison playoff hopes had been dashed after falling to previously winless Bald Eagle; but the Bisons bounced back. Ripping of four straight victories, including an upset of undefeated and state-ranked Central, the Bisons secured a playoff spot for the 15th straight season.
Key Players
Punxsy – Sophomore quarterback Logan Weaver has been fantastic for the Chucks all season by passing for over 1200 yards and 14 touchdowns. The young signal caller has only been picked off three times. Senior running back Brennan Niver has been the workhouse for Punxsy by racking up over 750 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. Senior Braedon Pennington has been Weaver\’s primary target picking up over 600 yards receiving to go with four scores. Junior Zak Dickey has also emerged as a receiving threat hauling in five scores. Weaver and Pennington have also been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks intercepting four balls a piece this season. Pennington also leads the team in tackles.
Clearfield – The Chucks aren’t the only squad in the area with a star sophomore signal caller. Curtis Frye has continued the streak of good Clearfield quarterbacks. On the season Frye has passed for over 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also using his legs to rush for over 400 yards and 10 more scores. All season Frye’s favorite target has been standout senior Trey Campman. Campman is closing in on becoming the Bisons first 1000 yard receiver in 10 years since Brian Kaspick eclipsed that mark during the ’99 season. Campman has scored 14 touchdowns this season on offense, defense, and special teams. Senior Chad Zurat has become a shutdown corner over the season picking off five passes while constantly shutting down the opposing team’s top receiver. Junior running back Derek Morgan has put together three straight good games and now has amassed over 700 yards and scored nine touchdowns on the season. Junior Derek Danver has also emerged as a threat in the passing game by hauling in 30 balls for over 400 yards. Star defensive lineman Andre Buck will look to terrorize Weaver all night long. On the season Buck has 5.5 sacks to go along with his 55 tackles.
The Venue
The Bisons are no stranger to playoff games at Mansell Stadium in DuBois. Over the last eight seasons the Bisons have played four playoff games there with a record of 2-2. The Bison\’s most recent playoff trip to the stadium ended with a 34-14 loss to state ranked Strong Vincent last year in the second round of the PIAA playoffs. For the Chucks this is their first trip back to the playoffs since losing to the Bisons at Mansell Stadium in the 2002 D9AAA Championship game.
The Coaches
Punxsy – Alan Nichol took over the reins of the Chuck football program in the midst of a terrible losing streak. The Chucks had failed to reach the District 9 playoffs for seven straight seasons. Nichol implemented a new balanced approach to the offensive side of the ball, straying away from the one dimensional passing offense the Chucks had in the past. The Chucks have won one D9 championship, with that coming before most players on the roster were born, in 1991.
Clearfield – Tim Janocko is no stranger to the District playoffs, as his Bison squads have appeared in the D9 playoffs 16 times. Janocko is the longest tenured coach in the district at 25 years and has brought home seven District Championships to the Clearfield High School trophy case.
The Next Step
The winner of 8-2 Punxsy and 7-3 Clearfield will travel to an undetermined District 9 site to take on the winner of the Pittsburgh City league championship contest between Oliver and Schenley
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Mansell Stadium in DuBois.