One hundred years of football history comes down to one night in Kittanning.
Ford City and Kittanning will meet on the football field for the final time with the lead of the all-time series hanging in the balance at 7 p.m. Friday in the final home game for the playoff-bound Wildcats.
The Sabers (3-5, 3-5) were eliminated from playoff contention last week but have plenty to play for with a 37-36-1 record against Kittanning since the teams first met in 1915.
Kittanning (5-3, 5-3) is assured of fourth place in the Allegheny Conference but would like to enter the playoffs on a positive note by winning the teams' last meeting before merging next year into Armstrong.
“It's the Kittanning game. It's about a sense of pride in the school and community pride,” Ford City coach John Bartolovic said. “We've shown we have some potential in the Shady Side Academy game (a 34-33 win on Sept. 26), so if we come to play, who knows what will happen?”
“Inside the walls of our (locker room), it feels pretty much the same as preparing for any other game,” Kittanning coach Frank Fabian said. “But outside, it definitely has a different feel to it. There's more talk in the hallways at school and more excitement around the community.”
The excitement might be more far-reaching than either coach cares to admit.
If the large crowd last Friday for Ford City's final home game is any indication, Ullom Field might see one of its largest crowds for the Wildcats' last home outing.
The Sabers were beset by injuries in last season's meeting but come into this year's matchup hoping for a better showing than last year's 62-27 loss.
“That game wasn't indicative of who we were last year, but when you have good athletes in open space like Kittanning does, it's tough to defend,” Bartolovic said. “We've worked against their base plays all week, but guys have to physically and mentally be ready to do what they're taught.”
The Wildcats are banged up coming into the game with senior receiver/linebacker Nick Bowers, senior lineman Brady Kirkwood and sophomore running back Zane Dudek among the injured. Dudek likely will play, but Bowers is scheduled for another X-ray Friday to examine a hairline leg fracture, and Kirkwood did not practice Monday or Tuesday with a head injury.
With those players potentially out of the lineup, Fabian knows his team will have to play a smart game to slow Ford City's running game and earn a tie in the all-time series.
“(Running back Zeke) Walker is their home-run hitter, so he's the first guy that jumps out, but they're very methodical running the ball,” Fabian said. “They're very good at what they do, and most of those kids have been running that offense since they were little.”
Matt Grubba is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at mgrubba@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Grubba_Trib.
