District 9 – Region 2 2022 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 9, News
Phil Myers | August 19, 2022
DISTRICT 9 REGION 2
This region is so well-balanced that any one of the eight teams can win it. The coach’s poll for Region 2 found last year’s Class A state runner-up, Redbank Valley as the top dog followed by Port Allegany and Brockway.
The Bulldogs of Redbank Valley are the 2021 state silver medalists losing to Bishop Guilfoyle in the finals 21-14 and finishing the season at 13-2. Redbank will be more of an unknown commodity at the beginning of the year due to the departure of nine seniors, most of whom were key ingredients to Redbank’s run to the state finals last year. Although Coach Blane Gold lost over half of his offense and defense, the cupboard is not bare. RBV returns some wide outs including Tate Minich and Aiden Ortz, and two linemen in Christian Clinger and Carsen Rupp. Brandon Ross, who is over 6’ tall and weighs over 200 pounds, is the one returning running back. The defense returns some experience on the line with Clinger and Rupp and at the defensive back position with Minich and Ortz among others. Coach Gold feels that the senior class is actually playing a 5th high school season with the logic that the seniors have played 11 playoff games in the past 3 years and that translates into more experience. Coach Gold has a great program going at Redbank with a huge emphasis on defense, so it is probably a matter of reloading rather than rebuilding. In that case, they will compete for another D-9 Class A title.
Port Allegany will also compete for that Class A title. There are many rumblings around District 9 that the Gators may be the team to beat in 2022. Port returns 8 offensive and 8 defensive starters from a year ago. On offense, Drew Evens had a pretty good year last year as QB as did returning RB/WR Noah Archer and returning FB Blaine Moses. They also return four of the five offensive linemen who average 6’2” and 230 pounds. The same eight offensive players start on defense too. Coach Justin Bienkowski says, “Our offseason work and the experience this team has gathered we’d like to think if we stay healthy, we should be capable to compete with anyone in District 9.” The Gators finished 6-5 last year and had a 14-0 lead in the playoffs against Redbank before eventually falling 35-14.
Brockway is projected by the coaches to finish third in Region 2, but make no mistake they will be contending for the Region 2 title and the District 9 Class A championship. The Rovers return their quarterback, Brayden Fox, who as a freshman threw for 2,568 yards and 23 touchdowns. Brockway also returns four wide receivers who started at least once last year led by two of their top three receivers, Alex Carlson and Blake Pisarcik. Reese Yahner, Seth Stewart, and Aiden Grienheisen are the three returning offensive linemen. All together Brockway returns 9 offensive veterans. On defense, 7 return including the linebacking corps of Stewart, Carter Hickman, and Tanner Guaglianone. Brockway finished the 2021 campaign at 4-6 and opted out of the playoffs, but one of their 4 wins was against D-9 finalist Union/AC Valley. Coach Jake Heigel wants his Rovers to compete to the best of their ability every game. If they do that, they will be right there at year end.
Kane had a tough year last year finishing 3-7. The bright spot for the Wolves is that they return 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense. “We have a solid group of returning starters and guys who played significant snaps last year,” stated head coach Todd Silfies. Ricky Zampogna (LB/DB) and Addison Plants (LB) have started on defense since they were freshmen. Those two seniors will be looked upon to be the team leaders this season. Zampogna is also the starting quarterback and Plants the starting fullback. WR Landon Darr also returns to highlight the 8 offensive starters back from 2021. Kane just may be the sleeper in Region 2 and the Class AA playoffs for the 2022 season.
Ridgway Head coach Mark Heindl has built the Elkers into being a contender every year. Under his direction, Ridgway won 4 straight district titles from 2016-2019. They were runners-up to Karns City last year finishing the season with an 8-4 mark. They are expected to do well, but are another unknown commodity due to the 2021 team being heavily senior laden. The two leaders expected to have a huge impact this year are Marcus Crowe and Buddy Handley, both skill position players. They say their team goals are to take things week to week and hopefully improve each week. You can never count Ridgway out as they have numbers and a very good program.
Keystone has some talent back from 2021 for sure. They were the only team to beat Redbank Valley during the regular season last year and 2 of their 3 losses were by two points. Of the 5 returning starters on offense, Kyle Nellis was the Panther’s top rusher from 2021 and Tyler Albright was the team’s leading receiver. Cole Henry and Josh Beal return on the line and Drew Slaugenhaupt comes back to his wide receiver duties. Keystone returns 5 on defense as well including Albright who was their leader in interceptions last year. Nellis and Aiden Sell anchor a veteran linebacking group plus Henry is back at the defensive end position. Brock Champluvier returns at nose tackle. Brock is the unmovable force for the Panthers as he stands 6’3” and weighs 330 pounds. He is projected to start at tackle offensively in 2022. New coach Todd Smith is excited for the season and also has some praise for his new QB, Rayce Weaver, “who is very athletic and can throw the football.” Don’t be surprised if the Keystone Panthers are right in the middle of the mix vying for a Region 2 title and a D-9 Class A championship come year end.
Smethport brings back 7 starters on offense and 7 starters on defense from a team that ended up 9-2 last season. The down side is that the Hubbers lost QB Noah Lent to graduation. He accounted for much of the Smethport offense in 2021 by throwing for 950 yards and 18 TDs plus rushing for another 1,575 yards and 24 TDs. He will be hard to replace, but with the majority of last year’s starters back it should be a good basis to build upon. First year coach Joel Lent expects his team to have a big year. Ryan Mason and Ryan Pelchy are the returning running backs. Logan Hurleburt, Keegen Watson, and Cole Szuba are the returning linemen both offensively and defensively. Mason was the second leading tackler for the Hubber defense and Aiden Mckean is another important ingredient on defense as he returns at defensive back.
Union/AC Valley is going to be a strong contender this year. Even though they didn’t crack the coaches top 3 in the region, it’s hard to believe they won’t be in the D-9 Class championship game this year. The Falcon Knights return 8 on offense and 7 on defense from a team that went 9-3. “Our seniors are a talented group and we hope for big things from them this season,” stated Brad Dittman, the UACV head coach. Union/AC Valley returns their quarterback (Bailey Crissman), their top two running backs (Mikey Card and Dawson Camper), and their top two wide receivers (Ryan Cooper and Skyler Roxbury). On top of that, they return three of the five linemen (Landon Chalmers, Kaiden McNany, and Zander Laughlin). Defensively, Roxbury led the team in interceptions last year. Chalmers led the team in sacks and was second in tackles. Jacob Bowser, Cooper, Card, Camper, and Crissman are the other returning players on defense.
Protime’s Projected Region 2 Finish:
- Union/AC Valley
- Port Allegany
- Brockway
- Redbank Valley
- Keystone
- Ridgway
- Kane
- Smethport
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