Rams open D9 playoffs tonight
The two-seeded 18-6 Paper City boys, who beat top-seed Elk County Catholic on Saturday to win the AML crown, begin their quest for their first District 9 Class A championship since 2018 this evening when they host sevenseeded 8-14 Northern Potter.
The winner moves on to the semifinals, where they'll play the survivor of tonight's game in Clarion between the three-seeded Bobcats and visiting sixseed DuBois Central Catholic (11-11), who the Rams beat 52-38 in Johnsonburg on Feb. 1. ECC and Clarion are the only Class A playoff teams the Rams played during the season.
The one-seed Crusaders, who beat the Rams in the three previous meetings before the AML title game, are off until the Feb. 27 semifinals, when they'll play the winner of tonight's game in Emporium between four-seed Cameron County (20-4) and Union (12-10) – the five-seed,
None of the seven teams entered in the district dance are hotter than Cole Peterson's Rams, which have rattled off eight straight victories – including 44-33 over the Crusaders for the AML title.
Northern Potter lost its regular season finale 51-43 at Galeton on Feb. 13. The defeat was the fourth in five games. The Panthers have not beaten a team above .500.
It's the second meeting for DuBois Catholic against Clarion. The Bobcats beat the visiting Cardinals 56-50 on Dec. 12. Cameron County and Union did not play in the regular season.
With five teams advancing to the PIAA championships, tonight's winners and ECC are guaranteed spots in the state tourney. This evening's three losers will vie for spot five.
WDDH-97.5-The Hound will broadcast tonight's Paper City contest.
D9 Class A schedule
(5 teams advance) – Quarterfinals #7 Northern Potter (814)
Feb. 21
at #2 Johnsonburg (16-6)
#6 DuBois Central Catholic (11-11) at #3 Clarion (15-8)
#5 Union (12-10) at #4 Cameron County (20-4)
- Semifinals sites
Feb. 27
tbd Union-CC winner vs. #1 Elk County Catholic (22-2) Northern Potter-Johnsonburg winner vs. DCC-Clarion winner
- Championship – PennWest Clarion