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District 9 Game of the Week: Elk County Catholic at Redbank Valley

There certainly has been no shortage of surprise results in District 9 through the first two weeks of the season.

Just last week, Smethport upended Clarion-Limestone in the Times Observer D-9 Game of the Week, 28-18 over Clarion-Limestone.

This week’s game features a pair of D-9 Small School South teams duking it out, with Elk County Catholic traveling to Redbank Valley.

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RBV has come out of the gates 2-0, outscoring Keystone and Otto-Eldred by a combined score of 72-26.

The Bulldogs have a balanced rushing attack, led by junior quarterback Keaton Kahle, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in District 9.

Kahle is completing 25-of-33 passes for 330 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interceptions, while rushing for 115 yards, including an 85-yard TD last week against Otto-Eldred.

Senior running back Hunter Wiles leads the way on the ground with 199 yards on 21 carries, an average of 9.5 YPC. Kahle’s top targets are Hunter Martz (9 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD) and Ethan Hetrick (4 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD).

They will be going up against an Elk County Catholic squad that ran wild in a season opening win against Curwensville (34-14), but was stifled against a talented Coudersport squad last week, 28-6.

In the win over Curwensville, Stephen Bobby ran for 166 yards on 26 carries with three touchdowns, and Mason McAllister threw for 103 yards and two scores, which went to Leo Gregory and Hunter Cashmer.

Defensively, the Crusaders slowed down what is a prominent Curwensville rushing attack.

Bobby was held to 44 yards against Coudy, while ECC’s lone score came on an 80-yard pitch and catch with Jon Wittman.

The key for ECC tonight will be whether they can control tempo on offense and limit the multi-dimensional Kahle in Week 1.

Whether or not they can will go a long way towards deciding the outcome, as well as who will have a leg up in a strong Small School South division.

PREDICTION: Redbank Valley 28, Elk County Catholic 21

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