Moniteau running back J.D. Dessicino tries to move the pile during a game against Karns City last season. Moniteau and Karns City will play twice during the regular season this year as District 9 revamped its schedule because of COVID-19.

The year 2020 has offered up yet another twist.

Home-and-home high school football series.

District 9 released its revised schedules for this fall Friday. Changes were necessitated by a “bubble” formed by schools in Elk, McKean, Potter and Cameron counties.

Bradford, St. Marys, Kane, Ridgway, Coudersport, Cameron County, Otto-Eldred, Port Allegany and Smethport are the teams involved there.

Because some of those schools were originally the schedules for Karns City, Moniteau and Union/A-C Valley, repeat matchups had to be scheduled.

“We're just happy to be playing football,” Karns City coach Joe Sherwin said. “But this is definitely going to be a little different.”

Karns City, Moniteau and Union/A-C Valley will all be playing four opponents twice. The Gremlins and Warriors will open the season against each other Sept. 11 at Moniteau, then play again Oct. 16 at Karns City.

“Both teams will be healthy and ready to go for that first game, that's for sure,” Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said.

“We won't have to worry about our kids being ready for the opener,” Sherwin agreed.

Karns City will also be playing DuBois, Brookville and Punxsutawney twice. The Gremlins play Clarion once.

Moniteau will also play Punxsutawney, Brookville and Clarion twice. The Warriors play DuBois once.

Union/A-C Valley plays Brockway, Keystone, Curwensville and Redbank Valley twice and Sheffield once.

“I want to emphasize that I'm thrilled that we're playing football and I'll take anything at this point,” Rottman said. “But I do think they could have done this a little differently.

“Redbank (Valley), Keystone, Union/A-C Valley and Brockway could have been worked into the mix. I don't know if all of these repeat games are necessary.”

Sherwin said playing teams a second time “will mean a lot of adjustments as the teams will know each other from that first game.”

In Rottman's view, the result of the first game will dictate the feelings entering the rematch.

“If the first game is close, you look forward to playing each other again,” he said. “If you blow out a team, you certainly look forward to seeing them again.

“If you get beat up the first time ... not so much.”

Union/A-C Valley coach Brad Dittman could not be reached for comment.

Revised District 10 football schedules will be released Monday.