An in-depth look at Week 9 of the high school football season with players to watch, top games and more …

Week 9 Players to watch

SCOTT HAWKINS · KISKI AREA

Senior, RB/LB · 5-10, 195

Hawkins has been a standout on defense for the Cavaliers, who are battling for a WPIAL playoff berth. Because of the season-ending injury of fellow linebacker Jeremy Salm, he will be looked to even more for leadership. Last season, as a junior, Hawkins quietly led the Cavaliers in tackles and sacks.

MIKE KROCHTA · FORD CITY

Junior, RB/LB · 6-0, 190

Krochta has emerged as a top running back in the Sabers’ Wing-T offense. Last week, he rushed for a team-leading 99 yards on 21 carries in a crucial 26-14 win over Burrell. Krochta and his teammates take on rival Kittanning with a WPIAL playoff berth on the line this week.

CHRIS ZDINAK · PLUM

Sophomore, QB/DB · 6-1, 180

Zdinak has his team in contention for a WPIAL playoff berth heading into the final week of the regular season. He is among the leading passers in the Alle-Kiski Valley and appears to be a big part of Plum’s future. Zdinak has thrown for five touchdowns and more than 600 yards this season.

Week 9 Q&A

KNOCH SOPHOMORE QB/DB KYLER KENYON

The Buzz: It would have been easy for Knoch sophomore quarterback Kyler Kenyon and his teammates to doubt themselves after an 0-5 start this season.

In fact, the Knights had lost eight games in a row, dating to last season.

But Kenyon and the Knights didn’t give up hope and have put together a three-game winning streak that clinched a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth.

In fact, Knoch (3-5, 3-1) can claim at least a share of the Greater Allegheny Conference title if it beats Mars (5-3, 3-1) this week. The Fighting Planets will visit Knoch Knights Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week, Kenyon rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown in a 35-21 win over rival Highlands.

The promising position that Kenyon and crew find themselves in is a testament to their perseverance.

Kenyon recently talked with the Valley News Dispatch about Knoch’s resurgence in the second half of this season.

What was the feeling around the locker room after the team lost its first five games?

Actually, coach (Mike) King commended us for our Monday practices, like after losing to Hopewell and Blackhawk. We came to practice and came out firing. No one had any doubts. We stayed confident. That’s what brought us together as a team later on.

Are you a little surprised your team enters Week 9 with a chance to win the Greater Allegheny Conference title?

Every season, you’ve got to aim for something. We set our goals high. Just after conference play started, we knew we had to start winning some games. We have to keep the train rolling.

Mars has an outstanding running back in Austin Miele. What’s going to be the key to beating Mars on Friday night•

We’re going to try to shut him down. Basically, we’ll play our game, and they’ll play theirs. We’re putting in some new schemes, offensively and defensively, and I’m sure Mars is also.

You rushed for 139 yards last week. Do you see yourself as more of a runner than a passer?

When I went into the starting job, coach King was telling me to run more. I was trying to sit back and pass. Every week, I was getting running opportunities, but I missed a few in some games. Against Mars, I might have to pass or run. It’s a last-second decision.

Besides yourself, is there another player who takes charge and keeps the team fired up?

There really is a group — the seniors and some of the juniors. The main guy is (senior wide receiver/defensive back) Jake McTighe. He’s a great leader and athlete, and he’s playing on both sides of the ball. He’s rarely off the field. Also, (senior two-way tackle) Micah Lio. His block set up that big run I had for a (74-yard) touchdown last week. And (senior) Corey Pelkofer is doing a great job at center and defensive lineman.

The Knoch High School teachers were on strike at the end of September and beginning of October. Was that a big distraction?

Everybody knew we had to come out to practice. No one was going to take it easy on us because we’re not in school.

Tell me something about yourself that most people don’t know?

My dad (Rick) played quarterback at Bellevue High School (which is now part of Northgate). I look up to him for advice. Avonworth was their big rival. I’ve heard many stories. I saw some pictures of when he went to Clemson.

Week 9 Game to watch

FORD CITY (6-2, 6-2) at KITTANNING (5-3, 5-3)

7:30 p.m. Friday · Red Ullom Field, Kittanning

Ford City-Kittanning football games are often loaded with storylines. And that’s before you throw Allegheny Conference playoff spots into the conversation.

This year’s meeting between the hated Armstrong County rivals carries even greater importance.

Quite simply, whichever team wins goes to the WPIAL Class AA postseason.

Ford City could still qualify with a loss, but it would need Burrell to lose to Valley.

Last year, Ford City extended its series winning streak against the Wildcats to seven with a 42-7 win.

Ford City outgained Kittanning by 300 yards, holding it to 20 yards rushing and 66 total yards.

Ford City leads the tight all-time series, 35-33-1.

Week 9 game capsules

CLASS AAAA

No. 6 Central Catholic (6-2, 3-1) at Fox Chapel (3-5, 0-4)

7 p.m. Friday

Central Catholic can finish in a three-way tie for the conference title, if it beats Fox Chapel and Penn Hills (4-4, 3-1) defeats Woodland Hills (7-1, 4-0). Last week, Vikings running back Damion Jones-Moore, one of the top sophomores in the WPIAL, rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win over Kiski Area. Last season, Central Catholic slipped by Fox Chapel, 14-6. … Fox Chapel has been eliminated from the playoff chase but could shake up the standings with an upset. The Foxes have had an extra day to get ready for this game because they played and lost to Penn Hills, 48-7, last Thursday. In all four of its conference losses, Fox Chapel has failed to score more than seven points. The Foxes started 3-1 in non-conference play before falling into a tailspin.

Plum (2-6, 1-3) at Kiski Area (3-5, 1-3)

7:30 p.m. Friday

This game will decide fourth place and the final playoff berth from this conference. Plum last made the playoffs in 2007. Making the postseason would be a great start for Plum first-year head coach Frank Sacco, who was promoted from assistant. Last week, the Mustangs lost to Woodland Hills, 52-14. Plum sophomore quarterback Chris Zdinak threw a pair of touchdown passes. … Kiski Area rolled over Plum, 35-0, last season. The Cavaliers also are led by a first-year head coach. Troy Wilson, like Sacco, was promoted from assistant. Kiski Area last made the playoffs in 2006. Last week, Kiski Area lost to Central Catholic, 28-7, but only trailed 7-0 at halftime. Kiski Area senior running back/linebacker Jeremy Salm suffered a season-ending knee injury.

CLASS AAA

Highlands (0-8, 0-4) at Hampton (4-4, 2-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Highlands has been eliminated from the WPIAL playoff picture but is trying to avoid going winless for the first time since 1992. Last week, the Golden Rams rallied from a 21-0 deficit but lost to visiting Knoch, 35-21. In that loss, Highlands senior quarterback Mike Lenosky completed 23 of 34 passes for 352 yards. … Hampton already has clinched a playoff spot. Last week, the Talbots were nipped by Franklin Regional, 35-34. Hampton senior running back Andrew Bly rushed for 286 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries in that defeat. The week before, the Talbots upset Mars, 10-7.

No. 10 Mars (5-3, 3-1) at Knoch (3-5, 3-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The winner of this game will claim at least a share of the conference title. Franklin Regional (6-2, 3-1) also is tied for first place and plays at Indiana (1-7, 1-3). The Mars/Knoch winner will take sole possession of the conference crown if Franklin Regional is upset. Knoch also could finish second or third, depending upon the results of these two games. Last week, Mars slipped by Indiana, 17-14, on Chris Karns’ 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Last year, Mars shut out Knoch, 28-0. … Knoch is coming off a 35-21 win over rival Highlands. Running backs Adam Tuzikow and John Dewalt and quarterback Ky Kenyon combined to rush for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Knoch started 0-5 before winning its last three games.

CLASS AA

Apollo-Ridge (2-6, 2-6) at West Shamokin (0-8, 0-8)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Apollo-Ridge is out of the playoff picture but will look to end the season with its second win in a row. Last week, the Vikings’ defense stood strong in a 14-13 upset win over Valley. Junior running back Eean Smith’s 55-yard touchdown run and senior Mark Schrecengost’s extra point in the third quarter proved to be the difference. Last year, Apollo-Ridge slipped by West Shamokin, 21-14. … West Shamokin’s woes continued last week with a 48-0 loss at Shady Side Academy. The Wolves have been outscored, 383-10, this season. West Shamokin has dropped 23 games in a row.

Burrell (6-2, 6-2) at Valley (3-5, 3-5)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Burrell has clinched a WPIAL playoff berth for the first time since 2005. Last week, the Bucs fell out of a tie for first place in the conference after losing to Ford City, 26-14. Burrell will finish third in the conference regardless of this week’s results. … Valley has been knocked out of contention for a playoff spot and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2004. Valley leads the all-time series with rival Burrell, 19-10, and has won the last three meetings. Last season, the Vikings defeated Burrell, 27-6. Valley has lost its last three games this season by a combined score of 97-26.

Shady Side Academy (7-1, 7-1) at Deer Lakes (2-6, 2-6)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Shady Side is tied with Freeport for first place in the Allegheny Conference, and Shady Side holds the head-to-head tie-breaker. If both teams win this week, they will share the conference title, but Shady Side will be considered the first-place team for playoff seeding purposes. Last year, Shady Side slammed Deer Lakes, 42-0. … Deer Lakes can’t qualify for the playoffs but could play a spoiler role. The Lancers are 6-8 all-time against Shady Side but have lost the last four meetings. Deer Lakes appears to be building for the future with eight juniors or sophomores starting on both sides of the ball in last week’s 37-7 loss to Freeport.

No. 7 Freeport (7-1, 7-1) at Summit Academy (2-6, 2-6)

12:30 p.m. Saturday

Freeport can clinch at least a share of its first conference title since 1992 with a win. If Freeport wins and Shady Side falls to Deer Lakes, the Yellowjackets will claim sole possession of the conference crown. Last week, Freeport became the first Alle-Kiski Valley school to reach 500 wins with a 37-7 win over Deer Lakes. The Yellowjackets’ only loss this season was a 20-14 overtime defeat against Shady Side Academy. Last season, Freeport defeated Summit Academy, 25-15. … Summit Academy isn’t in contention for a playoff spot. The Knights lost to Kittanning, 35-20, last week. Senior Sean McDonald rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns for Summit Academy.

CLASS A

Leechburg (0-8, 0-6) at Wilkinsburg (0-8, 0-6)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Both teams have been eliminated from the WPIAL playoff picture but are desperately seeking a win. Leechburg will try to snap a 20-game losing streak. The Blue Devils’ last win was against Wilkinsburg, 47-20, in Week 6 of 2007. Last week, Leechburg was shut out by Brentwood, 35-0. … Wilkinsburg is shooting for its 500th all-time win. The Tigers have lost their last eight games. Wilkinsburg’s last two wins were against Leechburg in 2006 and ’08. The Tigers won last year’s matchup, 20-0.

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