Bucktail to meet Coudy for first time since 1964

By Bees O’Brien

FARWELL, PA – There is new life in Farwell following Bucktail’s D9 League South Division battle with Keystone. The Bucks took the fight to the undefeated Panthers and for one half it looked as though the unthinkable was about to happen. Bucktail surrendered 22 second half points to Keystone and would eventually fall 29-12, dropping the Bucks to 0-4..

The score didn’t reflect exactly how well the Bucks played. They didn’t allow a turnover for the first time in 2021 and their offense never looked better. Penalties and their inability to stop the run were ultimately their downfall. Keystone ran for 279 yards on the ground, while their defense held the Bucks to minus 3 yards rushing.

For Coudersport (1-2), the past couple weeks have been a crazy spiral. The Falcons had their Week 4 game against Brockway canceled due to COVID issues and their Saturday matchup at Port Allegany was moved to Monday night due to lack of players. They’ll then be faced with the task of hosting a revamped Bucktail squad that is eager for their first victory. This shortened date gives Coudy just four days to prepare for Bucktail.

The two schools have not met since 1964, a game which saw the Falcons down the then Renovo Railroaders 34-6.

Bucktail’s senior quarterback Dylan Cross exploded on Friday night. Cross picked apart the Keystone secondary and blistered them for 261 yards through the air and a touchdown. Four of his passes eclipsed the 40 yard mark, but a good quarterback needs an excellent receiving corps and Cross has that.

Brody Pentz continued to establish himself as a serious weapon in Bucktail’s offensive attack. Pentz caught 2 catches for 99 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown bomb as time expired in the first half of play against Keystone.

The weapons don’t stop there. Braylon Fantaski could very well be the most athletic of Cross’ targets. Fantaski made a pair of amazing catches for 91 yards on Friday night.

But wait! There’s more.

Tristan Probst (1 for 45 yards), Zack Pick (1-13) and Kyler Friese (1-13) also caught passes on Friday night.

Friese also took a Panther fumble 85 yards to the house to give the Bucks the stunning 6-0 lead.

Johnny Green and Ashton Intallura continue to provide protection for Cross and undersized center Brian Dwyer continued to prove his toughness as he started his second straight game under center for Bucktail.

Green also made the hustle of the night by recovering a Bucktail fumble in the end zone to save a touchdown score.

The Falcons enter the game with a run-heavy offense led by quarterback Gavin Ayers. The Falcons have fallen on hard times since quarterback Hayden Keck graduated and headed off to play at Mercyhurst. Ayers has done well in his absence on the ground. He’s compiled over 300 yards rushing in three games, including a 146 yard effort in their 63-0 win over Sheffield.

When Ayers isn’t calling his own number, look for Dylan Kelly to do the bulk of the running.

Both of Coudy’s losses to Cameron County and Elk County Catholic have been 1-point defeats. Their lone win was against D9 North punching bag Sheffield 63-0.

Next week Bucktail is set to host a true state power in the high octane offense that is Redbank Valley. Coudersport will host Otto-Eldred.