Red Raiders have week off before D9 playoffs

Chatter around the region focuses on the Cameron County Red Raiders as a dark horse candidate for the PIAA District 9 football championship.

D9 heavyweights Coudersport and Curwensville, who tussle next Saturday night at Coudersport's CARP Field (7:00) for the Allegheny Mountain League championship, are the acknowledged frontrunners.

But the Raiders are in a very select group of teams that could emerge from the shadows. Entering last night's game against Johnsonburg, Cameron County (6-2) was in the running for home field advantage in the first round of playoff competition Nov. 10- 11.

The Raiders could be on a collision course with Coudersport or Curwensville, each of whom won earlier encounters with Cameron County.

Bench players busy

Hapless Sheffield visited Emporium last Friday night for a game that was destined to be a mismatch. It was a chance for Coach Tony Defilippi to filter many of his second- and third-stringers into the lineup, and he did so starting in the second quarter.

The score was 42-0 even before the intermission. With the Mercy Rule in effect, it stayed way straight through to the final gun.

Cameron County's defense turned in another stellar performance, intercepting five passes and allowing just 32 total yards. Sean McManigle had two of those picks. The others were by Mike Baker, Andy Beer and Taylor Songer. Baker also recovered a fumble.

A one-yard touchdown run by Pat Catalano and two-point conversion pass from Jordan Crane to Mike Malizia staked the Raiders to an 8-0 lead. Sheffield promptly lost a fumble and Abram Zoschg, returning from an injury, took off on a 33-yard touchdown run. Dan Slottje drilled the PAT.

John Malizia scored on a one-yard run and Zoschg rung the bell again on a 10- yard scamper. With Slottje's kicks, the score swelled to 29-0.

Moments into the second quarter, Cameron Clingan found an opening and dashed 69 yards for a TD.

Charlie Holjencin followed with a 19-yard touchdown run. The Raiders stuck to the ground for all but two plays. Eight running backs amassed 295 yards.

Allegheny Mt.

League Standings

North: Coudersport 8-0, Cameron County 6-2, Otto- Eldred 3-5, Port Allegany 2- 6, Sheffield 1-7, Smethport 0-8.

South: Curwensville 7-1, Johnsonburg 6-2, Ridgway 5-3, Brockway 4-4, Elk CC 3- 5, Kane 3-5.