BROCKWAY – Fans will be in for a typical run-and-gun offense Friday night as Curwensville travels to Brockway for the showdown of the week. Both teams are coming in with 5-0 records and potent offensive attacks. The Golden Tide will be expected to provide the run, while the Rovers have relied on the gun for the majority of their output on the year.
Last week Curwensville junior running back Alex Holland piled up a District IX rushing record of 417 yards on 33 carries that included five touchdowns before he exited the game early in the fourth quarter. Holland will enter Friday’s contest with 1080 yards after the first five games.
Brockway’s gun comes in the strong arm of Derek Buganza. The senior quarterback is on pace to set a new Pennsylvania passing record needing less than 400 yards for the remainder of the season. Last week against Ridgway, Buganza connected on 9-of-10 passes for 92 yards , a touchdown and an interception before leaving the game in the second quarter. Brockway defeated the Elkers 71-6.
“Everyone’s looking for two offenses to put up a lot of numbers,” said Tide head coach Andy Evanko of Friday’s game. “However, the game is really going to come down to who plays the best defense.”
Defensively to date, Curwensville has allowed a total of 70 points on the season while Brockway has given up 100. The teams have had three mutual opponents – Smethport, Sheffield and Port Allegany – and the Rovers have allowed 41 more points than the Tide to those teams.
Buganza, who is 78 for 113, has passed for 1406 yards already on the season. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. The favorite target for Buganza has been junior Kyle Braun. Braun has caught 25 passes for 519 yards and six scores. Mike Vervoort has totaled 334 yards on 17 grabs including six touchdowns as well. Coming in with 16 catches and 237 yards and a touchdown is Jake Shaffer, and sitting at 169 yards on nine catches with three scores is Zack Freemer. Eight other receivers have caught balls on the season.
“They are well coached and looking to break a state passing record,” Evanko said. “With a great passer and dynamic receivers, we just have to play good football.”
To make matters tougher for the Curwensville defense, the Rovers have used 12 different runners this season to gain 1333 yards to date. Vermoort has rambled for 484 yards on 36 carries including 152 yards last week with five touchdowns on just nine carries. Senior Houston Fairman has covered 216 yards on 34 yards, sophomore Tom Vervoort has used 20 carries for 128 yards and Chris Marshall has collected 122 yards on 21 carries to lead the team.
Curwensville has run the ball 222 times this season as 10 runners have piled up 1620 yards in five games. Backing Holland’s 1080 yard output has been senior fullback Zack Dimmick with 38 carries for 227 and sophomore Josh Greslick holding at 194 yards on 29 carries. Holland has 12 rushing touchdowns for the year while Dimmick has scored five times.
When the Golden Tide has had to throw the ball, sophomore Hunter McCracken has hit on the bigger plays with 316 yards on 15 for 28 passing. At 10 for 18, senior Alec Starr has a better percentage in collecting 147 yards. Shae Best and Shane Hoover have been the biggest down-field threats. Best has caught seven passes for 204 yards and five touchdowns while Hoover has four scores and 188 yards on nine catches. Seven total Tide players have been part of the passing game as receivers this season.
Defensively, sophomore Morgan Murry seems to be the player to keep an eye on. The 215-pound nose guard has posted 38 tackles including four sacks to lead the team. Linebackers Chris Marshal and Zack Brinkley have 29 knockdowns each. Defensive back Joe Caruso has stepped in front of four passes to date.
Dimmick and Holland lead the Tide with 20 tackles each while Garrett LaBorde at 19, Jesse Zorger with 18 and Shelby McGarry and Best have 17 each. The team has also posted three interceptions and four sacks.
Coaches will need little pep talks this week as the situation lends itself to a natural boost of energy. However, the anticipation will have extra time to build as the game doesn’t kick off until 7:30 p.m.
