No team wants to start the season 0-1, but no team wants to follow up a week one victory with a week two loss. Unfortunately, for both the Clearfield Bisons and the Bald Eagle Area Eagles, one of them will have to face that fact on Friday night.
However, in what looks to be a battle of very even offensive units, this game could be one of the best early season games of the season.
Just like last year, this game will be played at the Bison Sports Complex. However, head coach Tim Janocko is hoping to avoid a repeat result. When these two schools met last season, one quarter is all it took to back the Bisons into a corner, one they could not get out of.
In the second quarter, quarterback Justin Taylor threw for a touchdown pass and scored one of his own on the ground. But, it was a huge 91-yard interception return by Brock Bathurst that really took the wind out of the sails for Clearfield. The Bisons gave up 22 unanswered points, and then only added seven more in the second half en route to a 34-21 loss on their home turf.
But, that was last year. The 2010 squad is looking to avenge that loss for the teammates they lost. If last week was any indication, they have a good chance of doing so.
In a strong beginning to their season, Clearfield faced the Central Dragons, MAC champions from two years ago. The Dragons did not look like former champions as Clearfield dominated both sides of the ball in a 42-14 thrashing of Central. The Bison defense held the Dragons to only 67 yards of total offense.
But, when Clearfield had the ball, it was simply magic. Quarterback Curtis Frye ended the night with a team-high 85 yards rushing, including two touchdowns, while also going 17 for 22 in the air for 237 yards and two more touchdowns.
If the Eagles have any chance of winning, they have to focus on getting to Frye and disrupting his game. Yet, they cannot stay tunnel-visioned. They also have to keep their eyes in the backfield as Derek Morgan has shown he can be as fast as lightning if given the opportunity. His 54 yards last week were hard earned, as was his touchdown.
As far as receivers go, Derek Danver appears to be the go-to guy for Frye. A team-high six catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns make him an immediate threat both on the outside and across the middle of the field.
The real thing to keep an eye on with the Clearfield offense is that the ball will be spread around many different players. It’s almost like watching Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts because so many different players get involved with the game. Bald Eagle is going to have to really watch because they know who is going to be hard to defend, but there’s always a chance someone else can become a breakout player.
Bald Eagle showed they can be a duel-threat team last week as they started out their year with a 32-20 victory over Lewistown. A lot of that came off Taylor, who returns under center for the Eagles this season. He was 10 of 18 for 141 yards and two touchdowns against a strong defense.
Much like Clearfield, Taylor spread the ball out to multiple receivers, so the Bisons will have to be extra cautious on their pass defense. The players Bald Eagle had dominate in catching the ball were Cody Hicks and Kyle Womer. Combined, the two had 115 yards receiving and accounted for both receiving scores by Taylor. These two will be the ones to watch when the Eagles decide to throw the ball.
Not to be outdone, the Eagles had a good duel-rushing attack in Coleman Hoffman and Cody Ripka. Hoffman led the team in touches with 19, but Ripka led the team in yards with 84.
Clearfield showed a lot of strength in their run game last week, but also showed they were vulnerable on occasion and let a long run slip through their grasp.
This game is shaping up to be a battle between two equally strong offenses and two extremely tough defenses. Statistics are practically even, and there is a lot at stake early in the season. If momentum is any indication, whomever wins this game is sure to be a tough team to beat as the season continues.
The weather looks to be more of a taste of fall more than late summer, so bring your blanket and sweater to this one. Kickoff at the Bison Sports Complex is set for 7 p.m.