District 9 Media Day – Part 4

Tagged under: District 9, pfn

Phil Myers | August 2, 2025

As stated in Part 1, District 9 is split into four divisions for this upcoming football season.  Division IV consists of Bucktail, Cameron County, Coudersport, Otto-Eldred, and Smethport.  This division looks to be competitive with one or more probably making the playoffs.  Otto-Eldred is the pick of the coaches to win the division, but this writer also thinks Cameron County will make a run at it too.

Bucktail Bucks – The mindset among the players is to stay competitive in 2025.  After going 0-8 last year, Bucktail, a team from District 4 actually, is seeking to improve every time they step on and off the football field.  The players say they want to stay active and they want to know each other enough to become a team, which are concepts that playing other sports help out when playing football.  Experience and learning more about the game are ingredients in becoming successful on and off the field.

Bucktail L to R: Asst. Coach Jason Ditty, Corbin Pentz, JJ Ditty, Aidan Ditty, and Jaden Intallura.

Cameron County Red Raiders – When the players were asked if they can improve upon their 6-4 record from last year, the answer was ‘definitely.’  When asked how, the answer was by putting in more work and being more active.  Coach Ryan Neyman is seeking redemption for a poor playoff performance last year and plans to be more innovative offensively.  The players see hard work and discipline as key factors in growing as a person from playing football.  They also mentioned working together as a team to reach a goal.  If Cameron County fills some holes and gels as a team during the course of the year, they can be top dog in Division IV.

Cameron County L to R: Boden Pearsall and Malakai Zucal.

Coudersport Falcons – Coudy is another team hoping to put together a winning season this year.  The Falcons’ 3-6 record of a year ago is past history and the players have hit the reset button.  They feel building a strong bond and becoming more like family will aid in coming up with a winning season.  Frank Brown, the head coach, added that consistency and execution are the factors that will help too.  Brown says progress can be made by focusing on one play at a time.  One of the most important things the Coudersport coaching staff prevails upon the players is to be humble.

Coudersport L to R: Owen Gill, Carson Cooney, Lucas Risser, and Preston Ayers.

Otto-Eldred Terrors – Otto is coming off a nice 7-2 season, and with a harder schedule in 2025, the players say this group can make a run in the playoffs with consistent play.  Head coach, Eric Rees, stated that they can shoot for the moon and hope to land on the stars.  According to Coach Rees, “football is the greatest team sport ever invented and success (at the high school level) is not always measured by wins.”  He wants his players to do the right things and be successful as husbands and fathers.  The bottom line and team goal is to win the division, then do well in the playoffs.

Otto-Eldred L to R: Asst. Coach Carn Magee, Tein Caldwell, Erik Gray, Head Coach Eric Rees, Dawson Welch, and Shane Magee.

Smethport Hubbers – Smethport went 1-8 in 2024, but the players firmly believe a new mindset and the hard work they are putting in will make a difference in this year’s squad.  Playing other sports keeps them in shape which is a big help in football season.  New head coach Ryan Yingling sees player development, discipline, and accountability as important factors going into battle each week in 2025.  Seeing his athletes develop and reach their goals are measures of success.  A new schedule and player confidence may help Smethport flirt with a .500 record this year.

Smethport L to R: Zach Hungiville, Jonah Ganoe, Aiden Tanner, and Clayton Kiser.

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