Bucktail opens 2023 at Sheffield in the game that almost wasn’t
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- In early June of this year, the Warren County School District was very close to shutting down Sheffield High School. By doing so it would have eliminated Saturday afternoons on Wolverine Mountain. An agreement was reached that allowed Sheffield to remain open and keep Wolverine head coach Mike Barr continuing his mission with a program that is fighting to get back to their glory days.
Barr’s team is back with a 36-man roster, including 14 players from co-op partners Abraxas. The Wolverines will open the 2023 season against Bucktail yet again. The program is currently in the midst of a 19-game losing streak and hasn’t tasted victory since a 2019 win over Port Allegany.
The streak is meaningless to the latest batch of Wolverines. They have been putting in plenty of offseason work despite not knowing where they would be going to school this academic year let alone if they’d be forced to suit up for the Warren Dragons.
Sheffield will return some key players that could cause problems for Bucktail. Quarterback Colby Barr will enter 2023 as a three-year starter and tossed for over 225 yards against Bucktail the last time these two met in late September.
One of his favorite targets in Dylan Hardwick returns. Sheffield will see a new tailback for 2023 in sophomore Hayden Holden. Lineman Andrew Kyle also returns and he is one lineman in particular that coach Barr pointed out that has made good improvements in the offseason.
If Sheffield has any hope in ending their slide, they’ll need to figure out how to stop Braylon Fantaski. Fantaski scored in every way possible last season against Sheffield. He scored nine of his touchdowns in just two games against the Wolverines, six of those scores came in Bucktail’s 42-22 win at Wolverine Mountain last season. In those two games he caught touchdowns, ran for touchdowns, had a punt return and kick-return for scores and even scored on an interception.
Bucktail will need to set the tempo early and apply pressure to Barr. Forcing turnovers and stops will be key for the Bucks’ offense to remain on the field and eat away yardage. Johnny Green, Talan Ditty and Tanner Pettingill will have to become very physical early and set the tempo.
Next week the Bucks will host West Branch and their outstanding quarterback Tyler Biggins. Sheffield won’t have it much easier when they hit the road to Terror Field and face a Region 3 title contender in Otto-Eldred.
Game time between the Bucks and Wolverines is set for 1 p.m. from Sheffield.
