CURWENSVILLE – It’s not unusual for two undefeated teams to meet early in the season on the high school gridiron, but the path to the match-up in Port Allegany this weekend has been anything but normal. Curwensville Area High School will roll into “The Swamp” on Saturday afternoon having bested Smethport (53-33) and Sheffield (37-0), while the Gators have bounced Ridgway (46-35) and Brockway (40-30).
Part of the unusual circumstances for this contest come as a result of last week. Both teams needed two days to play last week’s games which has given less time to focus on this week. Port was trailing the Rovers when the lightning storm halted action. However, they made the most of the return trip on Saturday as they used 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to stay unbeaten. The Golden Tide has only had four days to implement this week’s game plan due to a Monday night continuance of Friday’s game. The Tide denied the Wolverines of any comeback thoughts in the early going and dominated Sheffield’s return trip to Riverside Stadium.
‘We did have to put things on hold all weekend,” said Tide head coach Andy Evanko. “It has been difficult for the coaches to prepare for this week, but the kids came right back on Tuesday after playing half a game on Monday ready to work.”
The game becomes more interesting for the fans as they realize that it is a rematch of last year’s District IX Class A Championship in which the Golden Tide walked away with a 37-21 victory. Also, two of the key players in the contest are looking to surpass new milestones in their respective careers. The Tide’s senior running back Alex Holland and the Gators junior quarterback Matt Bodamer are both poised to crack the 4,000 yard mark in different categories. Holland has totaled 3,888 rushing yards, while Bodamer has passed for 3,926 yards in his tenure.
“They have some exceptional athletes on their team,” Evanko admitted. “Bodamer has a great arm and is a threat to run. And, of course, he hasn’t piled up all those yards by himself.
“But this is really just a game three of a season. Last year was last year. This (Curwensville) team has to find its own identity. It just so happens that the schedule has us playing this team on this week.”
Bodamer has gotten off to a strong start in 2011. He has connected on 40-of-54 passes thus far for 695 yards, nine touch downs and zero interceptions. The Gators also use a quarterback dive option, and if Bodamer’s receivers are covered, he can be dangerous on the run. He is the leading rusher on the team with 82 yards on 24 carries.
Bodamer uses three main receivers effectively. Junior Tyce Miller leads the receiving corps with 16 catches for 262 yards while senior Charlie Buchanan (13 receptions, 199 yards) and junior Rickie Bova (7 receptions, 192 yards) are also big targets.
Curwensville’s offense has been equally potent in the first two games. Holland has carried the ball 48 times for 468 yards and six touchdowns. Juniors Hunter McCracken and Brad Courdriet have also found the end zone for the Tide on the ground. McCracken has carried the ball on two quarterback keepers for scores, and Coudriet scored once from the fullback position.
McCracken has completed 50 percent of his passes on the year going 9-for-18 for 247 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. The top target through the air has been senior Jesse Zorger who has caught all four TD passes and covered 219 yards on seven catches. Jordan Russell has pulled in two receptions for 28 yards.
With two offenses running and gunning, the key to this game may be found on the defensive side of the ball. On Monday night the Tide shut down a decent quarterback from Sheffield and gave up no passing yardage. Coach Evanko is hoping that that was a preview of this Saturday’s effort.
“We’ll have a wide-open offense coming at us, they’ll be working with no huddle, it’s Saturday afternoon after a two-hour bus ride and two games in one week,” Evanko summarized, “It will be different any way you look at it.
“This (Curwensville) team has already shown its resilience against Smethport in the second half. We think we are right where we need to be. We have to control the tempo of the game, and I know these kids will be ready to play. You’ve got to love this team.”
The Golden Tide has never lost a league game to Port Allegany and stands at 8-0 against the Gators since joining the AML.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 on Saturday.