For the second straight week, the Ridgway Elkers will be involved in the Times Observer’s District 9 Game of the Week.

And for the second straight week, they are looking to make an emphatic statement.

After a convincing 28-7 win over Bradford in Week 4, the Elkers look to stay atop the District 9 Large School League standings when they host fellow unbeaten Brockway.

Those two teams, along with the Clarion Bobcats, are 4-0, and their matchups against each other will likely determine the league champ.

The Elkers are undefeated thanks in large part to the strength of their defense, which has yielded just 27 points through four games and forced five turnovers in the victory over Bradford.

That unit is led by a pair of linebackers – senior Evan Furlong (6-0, 200 pounds), who leads the team with 35 tackles and has 2 sacks and junior Robert Briggs (31 tackles), junior defensive end Damon Kelley (6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and senior defensive back Daunte Allegretto (2 interceptions).

They have perhaps overshadowed what is a very solid offfense, spearheaded by junior quarterback Paul Gresco, who has completed 75 percent of his passes for 550 yards, 6 touchdowns and just 1 interception.

On the ground, the Elkers feature a quartet of threats – Gabe Watts (281 yards, 10.0 yards per carry, 3 touchdowns), Jake Wickett (205 yards, 6 TDs), Cole Secco (204 yards, 12.0 YPC, 1 TD) and Furlong (165 yards, 1 TD).

Gresco’s top targets are Allegretto (6 receptions, 178 yards, 2 TDs), Austin Green (8-125-2), Issac Schloder (8-103-1) and Furlong (8-59).

They will be facing a Brockway team that is coming off a 28-6 win over Kane in which quarterback Peter Downer threw for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns and also ran for another score.

Jon Wood had two of those receiving touchdowns and Josh Solnosky the other.

Defensively, the Rovers have given up just 13 points in their last two games.

A low-scoring, defensive battle could be on the docket, with the winner likely keeping pace with Clarion, which is at winless St. Marys.

OUR PREDICTION: Ridgway 20, Brockway 16