The way Bradford coach Steve Ackerfield sees it, opportunities have come knocking for his team most of the season.

Some of those times, his team couldn't answer.

Bradford (4-3) enters its 7 p.m. battle at Karns City Friday trying to bounce back from last week's 14-7 loss to DuBois. The winner of that game was crowned the D9 League champion.

"We've had a funny season," said Ackerman. "We've had opportunities. Clearfield beat us 28-7 (in Week 1) and we gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter, then played them even the rest of the game. It was like the deer in the headlights.

"Against Clarion-Limestone (an 8-3 loss in week 4), we shut down a high-potent offense then they hit one big play.

"Last week the kids played hard but they didn't put anything together," he added.

The Owls, who lost 10 players on both sides of the ball from last year's team, had a chance to tie the game having a first down on the 9-yard line late in the game but the drive stalled.

Last year's team went 10-3 and advanced to the PIAA finals, a team quarterbacked by senior Mike Austin.

"We run the wing-T and he does an excellent job of running it," said Ackerman. "He's been throwing the ball well this year. He makes decent decisions and that's helped us."

"Bradford does a little bit of everything," said Gremlins coach Ed Conto. "They run the ball well and throw adequately. They're not super-flashy, but overall, they are a good team.

"They have some kids back from last year's team so they have some experience," Conto added.

Joining Austin on the offense is receiver Shawn Spindler and running backs Nate Westlake and Morgan O'Brien. It was O'Brien's 72-yard run early in the third quarter that broke a scoreless tie and gave the Owls a 7-0 lead last week.

DuBois, however, came back with a pair of fourth-quarter scores to pull out the win.

The Gremlins (4-3) defeated A-C Valley 42-33 as Josh Fiscus rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

Karns City held a 35-13 halftime advantage before injuries began taking its toll on the team and several young reserves were asked to step in.

"In the fourth quarter, A-C Valley got in striking distance, then we get the ball with six minutes left and drive the length of the field and took a knee at the 1-yard line.

"I was pleased how well this team held them off," Conto added.

It was the play of Fiscus that really stood out for Ackerman on the three tapes he was able to see.

"I figure we need to stop Fiscus on offense, then stop Fiscus on defense," said Ackerman. "He's their big gun, definitely.

"He's on 50 percent of the plays offensively and on defense he was around or made 45 to 50 percent of the tackles," he added.

Ackerman also noted quarterback Steve Black and the receiving unit.

"(Black) moves real well and he's got those receivers down the field. Their option game looks strong and he's able to keep it if the pitch or dive isn't there."