District Nine Playoff Preview
Tagged under: District 9, News, pfn, Playoffs
Phil Myers | November 1, 2023
It’s that time of year. Teams from all around the state have played out their regular season in hopes of getting to the next step, the playoffs. In District Nine it’s no different. It’s time for the players to ignore those bumps and bruises and take their game to the next level. It’s time for coaches to re-evaluate some things, ride the strengths of the team, and throw in a few new wrinkles. It’s time!
DISTRICT 9 – CLASS 1A: (8 teams qualify)
Eight teams qualify, but only 7 entered post season play. Therefore, the Redbank Valley Bulldogs, who are the top seed, received a bye. They are a bit banged up, so the bye week will definitely benefit them. Port Allegany is the #2 seed and they host the Keystone Panthers (#7 seed), a team they beat 50-13 just a couple of weeks ago. The Gators are the defending D-9 Class A champs.
The other two first round games pit the #3 seeded Brockway Rovers playing host to the Union/AC Valley Falcon Knights (#6) and the Cameron County Red Raiders (#5) visiting the Coudersport Falcons (#4). In a definite upset, Union defeated Brockway earlier in the year 12-7. Meanwhile, Coudy trimmed Cameron County by a score of 26-14.
DISTRICT 9 – CLASS 2A: (4 teams qualify)
Four teams qualify in Class 2A, but only 3 decided to go to enter the playoff picture. Central Clarion is the #1 seed and gets the corresponding bye. Brookville is the 2nd seed and Karns City the 3rd. They will play in Kane, with Brookville being the home team. The Blue Raiders of Brookville defeated the K.C. Gremlins 44-14 three weeks ago. Central Clarion’s Wildcats are the defending 2A champs and are the only undefeated team in District 9.
DISTRICT 9 – CLASS 3A: (2 teams qualify)
There are only 3 teams in triple A in District IX. They are Clearfield, Punxsutawney, and St. Marys. The past 3 years Clearfield beat St. Marys for the D-9 AAA crown. This year Clearfield will play Punxsutawney in DuBois for the AAA championship. The Bison are the top seed, even though both have identical 7-3 records due to strength of schedule. Clearfield and the Punxsy Chucks began playing each other in 1924. Clearfield holds the series lead at 45-43-3. The two schools haven’t played each other since 2015 because they are in two different leagues.
DISTRICT 9 – CLASS 4A: (2 teams qualify)
There are only 2 teams in 4A in District IX, the Bradford Owls and the DuBois Beavers. Bradford opted out of the playoffs, so DuBois will await the winner of Juniata and Bellefonte for the District 6-9 subregional title. They will play in DuBois next week.
THIS WEEK’S DISTRICT 9 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (All Games 11/3 and start at 7)
Class 1A
Keystone (4-6) at Port Allegany (8-2)
Union/AC Valley (5-5) at Brockway (7-3)
Cameron County (7-3) at Coudersport (7-3)
Class 2A
Karns City (5-5) at Brookville (8-2) at Kane
Class 3A
Punxsutawney (7-3) at Clearfield (7-3) at DuBois
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