Moniteau football 2024 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule
Moniteau's Cole Scott is the top returning rusher from 2023.
Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem put their hands on a football with Coach Cecil Blauser for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem along with Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players, Isaiah Thompson, front left, Trent Beachem, front right, Finley Thurner, back left, Coach Cecil Blauser, back center, and Carter Sutton, back right, pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem along with Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group photo with their Coach Cecil Blauser during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players, Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner, Trent Beachem and Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner, Trent Beachem and Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football players, Trent Beachem, front, Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson, back middle, and Carter Sutton, back right, pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football player Finley Thurner poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football player Trent Beachem poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football player Isaiah Thompson poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football player Carter Sutton poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Moniteau football coach Cecil Blauser poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
Moniteau's Jesse Kohlmeyer Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
Moniteau's Levi Lacava . Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
Moniteau's Cole Scott. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem put their hands on a football with Coach Cecil Blauser for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem along with Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players, Isaiah Thompson, front left, Trent Beachem, front right, Finley Thurner, back left, Coach Cecil Blauser, back center, and Carter Sutton, back right, pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner and Trent Beachem along with Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group photo with their Coach Cecil Blauser during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players, Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner, Trent Beachem and Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Isaiah Thompson, left, Carter Sutton, Finley Thurner, Trent Beachem and Coach Cecil Blauser pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players Trent Beachem, front, and Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson and Carter Sutton pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football players, Trent Beachem, front, Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson, back middle, and Carter Sutton, back right, pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football player Finley Thurner poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football player Trent Beachem poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football player Isaiah Thompson poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football player Carter Sutton poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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Moniteau football coach Cecil Blauser poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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Moniteau's Jesse Kohlmeyer Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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Moniteau's Levi Lacava . Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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Moniteau's Cole Scott. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
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The Moniteau High School varsity football team practiced on August 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (08/18/24)
Moniteau football enters the 2024 season attempting to end a five-year playoff drought. To do so, the Warriors, who went 1-9 last year, will need to find a way to beat some teams with a much deeper talent pool.
Of the eight schools in District 9 Region 1, Moniteau has the smallest male enrollment at 147. DuBois Area, Saint Marys, Bradford and Punxsutawney average 338 males.
Central Clarion is a co-op with three schools — Clarion, North Clarion and Clarion-Limestone — combining for 273.
While Karns City and Brookville are more comparable in size to Moniteau, both with less than 200, the Gremlins and Raiders consistently have larger rosters than the Warriors.
While staying relatively healthy is key for any team, it is especially paramount for the Warriors, who will begin the campaign with approximately 30 players.
Moniteau football: What to watch in PA football season 2024
The biggest strength of the defense, and the entire team for that matter, is the secondary. All four starters — cornerbacks Isaiah Thompson and Jesse Kohlmeyer and safeties Blaine Jamison and Trent Beachem — are back. The Warriors’ 11 interceptions last season were two short of the single-season school record.
Jamison led the way with six thefts and added seven passes defensed.
“Blaine reads the ball well and has a great feel for the game,” Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said. “He uses his instincts to play the position, and he plays it very well.”
Thompson believes the defensive backfield can be even better this season.
“None of us are that big, but we each have experience and spent a lot of time in the weight room to get stronger and become better tacklers,” he said.
Playing on the defensive front will be Braden Beachem, Finley Thurner and Kurt Gindhart.
Brendin Sankey, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior, is back at linebacker and is Moniteau’s top returning tackler with 77 a year ago. He added two sacks, an interception and four passes defensed.
“We have nine starters back on defense,” Rottman said. “We expect them to play with maturity, play fast and make tackles.”
3 things to know about 2024 Moniteau Warriors football
Moniteau football players, Trent Beechmem, front, Finley Thurner, back left, Isaiah Thompson, back center, and Carter Sutton, back right, pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
1. Who’s the quarterback?
Either Sankey or Trent Beachem will guide the offense. Both saw significant playing time last year at the position.
Sankey passed for 863 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Beachem turned in an effort of 759-11-7. The Warriors need to improve on last year’s 41.3% completion percentage.
“Brendin is more of a gunslinger, and Trent is more of an Xs and Os guy,” Rottman said. “They can both run, and whoever isn’t playing quarterback will be involved as a receiver.”
Sankey has more experience in that department, snagging 16 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.
2. Leading the way
Three returning starters — Braden Beachem and Finley Thurner at tackle and Gindhart at guard — will join some combination of Beau Stewart, Carter Knight and Carter Sutton on the offensive line.
“The more experience we get playing together, the more confident we’ll become,” Sutton said. “We have good skill players, but we need to do our job up front.”
Cecil Blauser, who was previously involved with the program, returned to the Warriors last year as offensive coordinator.
“He implemented new terminology last year,” Rottman said. “The players have a better understanding of it now, and that’s made them more comfortable on the field.”
3. Opening with a rival
Moniteau visits Karns City to open the season Aug. 23. The Warriors have not defeated their backyard rival since a 20-14 decision in 2018. Breaking that streak would provide a huge boost of momentum and confidence that could help determine what kind of season the Warriors turn in.
“I think it’s good we’re starting with them,” Trent Beachem said. “I wouldn’t want that game any other time of the season. We want all of our guys to be healthy, and we’ll come out with guns blazing.”
The Moniteau football team practices Aug. 15, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau football schedule 2024
- Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. - at Karns City*
- Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. - vs. Bradford*
- Friday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. - at Punxsutawney*
- Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. - vs. Central Clarion*
- Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. - at St. Marys*
- Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. - vs. DuBois*
- Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. - at Keystone
- Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. - vs. Brookville*
- Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. - at Union/A-C Valley
- Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. - at Coudersport
* connotes division/conference game
