D9Sports.com: Rovers Set to Host Curwensville

Rarely has their matchup meant nothing in their Allegheny Mountain League-South Division showdowns. And this year is no different as the Brockway Rovers (4-3 overall, 0-2 AML-South) host the Curwensville Golden Tide (6-1, 1-1).

Their latest clash is one of 13 games on the Week 8 schedule this week in District 9 and all of them are Friday night.

While unbeaten Ridgway stands alone at the top of the AML-South, Curwensville and Elk County Catholic each have a division loss. The Golden Tide, who host Ridgway next week, can stay in AML title contention with a win. Last week’s 7-6 win over Kane clinched a Class A playoff berth.

Brockway, meanwhile, needs to win to just keep its Class A playoff hopes alive. The Rovers likely need to win two of their final three games to grab a postseason berth.

Curwensville remains a run-oriented team and this year’s version is led by a freshman in Nick Stewart. He ranks second in the district with 1,082 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s scored at least one touchdown in each game with six games of at least 100 rushing yards. Last week, he ran for 140 yards on 35 carries.

Stewart’s backfield mate Hunter Johnson has rushed for 426 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdowns.

Brockway’s balanced offense has quarterback Braden Martini, who has passed for 683 yards and six touchdowns. Anthony Benson (21 catches, 316 yards, 4 TDs) and Anthony Isabella (22 catches, 311 yards, 2 TDs) are his top receivers. Benson leads the team in rushing with 498 yards and nine scores.

Curwensville has won 10 of 15 meetings against Brockway since both teams joined the AML. The Golden Tide beat the Rovers last year, 42-22, to end a three-game Rovers winning streak.

The Tide’s trip to Brockway is one of just three road games on their schedule.

For more high school football previews, visit D9Sports.com.