Falcons preparing for football playoffs during two-week layoff

Blockers Colton Corey (2) and Dirk Cowburn (1) prepare to clear the way for tailback Kyle Gee during a rainy first quarter Friday a CARP Field. Coudersport opened a quick 34-0 lead over Smethport and coasted. Paul Burdick photo

Coudersport gets a reality check this weekend in the regular season high school football finale, before taking a two-week break to prepare for the playoffs.

Like the other Allegheny Mountain League heavyweights -- Cameron County and Kane -- the Falcons (7-1) have rolled over an otherwise weak schedule. They'll come back to earth Friday night at Kane (7:00), meeting the Wolves on a field that could be muddy due to recent rainfall.

At 8-0, Kane is preparing to host Cameron County (8-0) on Nov. 2 in the league championship game.

The following weekend, Coudersport will be out to defend its PIAA District 9 championship with a playoff game at CARP Field, either Nov. 9 or Nov. 10.

Smethport gave the Falcons little competition last Friday at CARP. Coudy opened up a 34- 0 lead less than three minutes into the second quarter and coasted, 45-13.

Senior quarterback Brian Wetzel connected on all five of his pass attempts for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

He hit Derek Burdick from 13 yards out for a TD on the hosts' first possession. Seconds later, sophomore Dirk Cowburn grabbed the bouncing ball after a fumble and returned it 12 yards for touchdown.

After the Hubbers went three and out, Wetzel fired an 18- yard touchdown strike to Justen Kinder. Cooper Bonczar's third point-after kick made it 21-0.

Colton Corey broke away on a 33-yard run to open the second quarter. Two plays later, Corey scored on a three-yard run.

The Hubbers fumbled away the ensuing kickoff. Cowburn got the call on the Falcons' first play and ran to paydirt from 27 yards away. Bonczar's kick made the score 34-0.

Kyle Gee's pass interception just before halftime set up Bonczar's 25-yard field goal.

Nick Reddick scored on a five-yard run and Jayme Wilcox ran for the conversion to hike Coudersport's lead to 45-0 early in the fourth quarter.

Smethport scored late in the game on a 51-yard run by quarterback Joel Kohler and a 23-yard jaunt by Kyle Nobles.