2024 District 9 – Playoff Review of 13th Week Action

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Phil Myers | November 19, 2024

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PLAYOFF RECAPS OF GAMES FROM WEEK 13:

Port Allegany 62 Redbank Valley 28 – Redbank scored first and had a chance to go up two scores after forcing a punt and driving into Gator territory, but Port’s defense stood tall and forced a turnover.  From that point on Port Allegany pretty much dominated, chalking up over 500 yards of offense, with close to 450 of that via the ground game.  Aiden Bliss may have set the D9 single season touchdown record by scoring four times to raise his total to 45 for the year.  Oh, by the way, he rushed for over 300 yards.  His backfield mate, Tristan Kiser ran for 130 yards and a pair of TDs.  Redbank was led by QB Braylon Wagner who threw for 293 yards and a trio of scores.  Breckin Minich caught six passes for 165 yards and all three TD receptions.  The game was not unlike the first time these teams met earlier in the year when the Gators topped the Bulldogs 66-38.

Central Clarion 41 Farrell 6 – The game was tied at 6 until there were three minutes left in the half.  That is when Jase Ferguson ran 3 yards to put CC up 14-6.  Then the Wildcats used a strong third quarter, scoring 21 points, to salt the game away.  Another touchdown in the fourth quarter enacted the continuous running clock of the Mercy Rule.  Ferguson passed for 146 yards and two TDs.  He also ran for 139 yards and another two scores.  He has amassed over 9,900 passing yards in his career and 143 career TD tosses.

Clearfield 27 General McLane 26 – Clearfield got off to a slow start falling behind 20-7 half way through the second quarter.  But Coach Caragein and staff changed a few things on defense and the Bison only gave up one touchdown the rest of the game even though McLane consistently moved the ball.  The comeback began when Brady Collins raced 60 yards for a touchdown not long after GM went up by the two scores.  Clearfield took their first lead of the game in the third on a Carter Freeland run.  After General McLane regained the lead in the fourth 26-21, the Bison scored the game-winner on a Collins 10-yard run with under two minutes left.  But the game was not over.  McLane marched inside the Clearfield ten, but missed a short field goal that would have won the game for them.  Collins and Freeland led Clearfield with two TDs apiece.  Collins had 186 yards rushing to set the Bison single season record.  Freeland chipped in with 97 yards on the ground.

TOP PERFORMERS OF WEEK 13:

Quarterbacks:

• Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion, accounted for 4 touchdowns, 2 passing and 2 running. He also accounted for 285 all-purpose yards.
• Braylon Wagner, Redbank Valley, threw for 293 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Running Backs:

• Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany, ran for 308 yards and 4 touchdowns.
• Tristan Kiser, Port Allegany, scored a pair of TDs and rushed for 130 yards.
• Brady Collins, Clearfield, ran for 186 yards and scored twice.
• Carter Freeland, Clearfield, scored two times.

Receivers/Athletes:

• Breckin Minich, Redbank Valley, caught 6 passes for 165 yards and 3 TDs.

Defense and Special Teams:

• The Central Clarion Wildcat defense held an explosive Farrell offense to a mere six points.
• Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion, garnered his 7^th interception of the year

NOTE: for previews of playoff games involving teams from District Nine, see separate stories regarding such.

THIS WEEK’S DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

There are three D9 teams left in the state playoff picture and all three of them are undefeated and highly ranked.  Here’s a quick preview of each game:

CLASS 1A STATE QUARTERFINAL

#5 Port Allegany (12-0) vs. #7 Wilmington (8-2) at Mansell Stadium in DuBois – Friday Nov. 22 @ 7:00 PM

CLASS 2A STATE QUARTERFINAL

#2 Central Clarion (12-0) vs. #5 Cambria Heights (13-0) at Armstrong HS – Saturday Nov. 23 @ 1:00 PM

CLASS 4A STATE QUARTERFINAL

#5 Clearfield (12-0) vs. #2 Thomas Jefferson (12-0) at Windber HS – Friday Nov. 22 @ 7:00 PM

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