After a disappointing start to the season with a loss to Brockway, Union/A-C Valley's football team has been dominant.

The Falcon Knights defeated Sheffield (77-0) Sept. 3 and Otto-Eldred (42-0) last week.

They will put the momentum they've gained on the line Friday when Elk County Catholic comes to Rimersburg for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Both District 9 Small School Division teams have had games canceled this season. The Falcon Knights' game against Bucktail Sept. 10 was called off due to COVID issues at A-C Valley while ECC was not able to play Port Allegany last week due to a very small roster brought on by a number of injuries to the Crusaders.

“We have 19 players on our roster and hope to have 18 of those dressed Friday,” replied ECC coach Nick Werner in an emailed interview. “We are really looking forward to getting back out on the field.”

Union/A-C Valley has just 25 players, but the Falcon Knights have some impressive size at the skill positions.

Junior quarterback Bailey Crissman is 6-foot-5, 208 pounds. He's thrown for 184 yards with four touchdowns and just one interception for an offense that often operates from the Pistol formation.

“Bailey was hurt in Week 1, but came back,” said Union/A-C Valley coach Brad Dittman. “He's doing well and we're working hard to keep our passing game going.”

Sophomore running back Dawson Camper is 6-3, 210, and has rushed for 133 yards and five scores on just 16 carries. He also has two touchdown receptions totaling 34 yards.

“A lot of people have asked me about Dawson,” added Dittman. “He can do it all ... He's big, strong and fast, but the greatest thing about him is he has a motor that doesn't shut off.”

The Crusaders (1-1, 2-1) opened the season with wins against Bucktail (20-6) and Coudersport (13-12) before being shut out by Redbank Valley (51-0) Sept. 10.

ECC's offense is directed by freshman quarterback Ben Paul, who has completed 17 of 38 passes for 273 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Ben is a very athletic kid,” replied Werner. “He has shown us that he is able to see what his receivers are giving him and then read the defense and make the best decision for the team.”

Running backs Noah Cherry and Ben Reynolds have combined for 215 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Crusaders. Joe Tettis leads the receivers with 101 yards and a score.

ECC's offense will have its hands full with Mike Card, a defensive lineman for the Falcon Knights who has 19 tackles, eight coming behind the line of scrimmage, including three sacks.

Card, a junior, also leads Union/A-C Valley (0-1, 2-1) with 281 rushing yards.

Mars (0-1, 0-4) at Plum (0-1, 0-4)

7 p.m., Friday

The Planets fell at home to Highlands last week, 22-7 ... The Mustangs remained winless with a 41-37 loss at Indiana.

After rushing for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to New Castle Sept. 10, Mars RB Evan Wright was held to 47 yards on 14 carries against Highlands ... Mars is trying to avoid its first 0-5 start since 2003, a season in which the Planets rebounded in the second half of the season and reached the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

The Mustang offense is led by two RBs — freshman Noah Odom has 191 yards and 3 TDs on 27 carries and junior Eryck Moore has 150 yards on 35 carries ... Plum is allowing an average of 40.5 points per game.

Knoch (0-1, 1-3) at Armstrong (0-1, 2-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Both squads suffered setbacks in opening conference competition last week. Knoch was outplayed at home by Greensburg Salem, losing 34-13 ... Armstrong came up short at Hampton, 21-20.

Senior Keagan Fraser has been shifted around in the backfield for the Knights as of late. He took most of the team's snaps in their win over Deer Lakes before playing primarily as a running back last week ... Fraser, RB Exzavier Johnson, and QB Carson Kosecki combined for 127 rushing yards in the loss.

After junior QB Cadin Olsen uncorked a 30-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Isaiah Brown in the final minute of last week's matchup, the River Hawks fell short on the ensuing 2-point try ... Olsen has thrown for 829 yards and 11 TDs ... Senior Noah Shuttleworth leads Armstrong in every major receiving category.

Serra Catholic (4-0)

at Freeport (1-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Serra has defeated each of its opponents by no less than 16 points, topping Seton LaSalle last week, 40-10 ... Freeport's game against Apollo-Ridge last Friday was canceled because of COVID issues.

This game was originally not on the schedule. Serra's game against Carlynton Friday was canceled while Freeport's Allegheny Seven Conference opener against Derry was called off because of COVID issues with those teams.

Serra QB Max Rocco has passed for 690 yards and 11 TDs ... RB Machai Brooks-Duetrieulle has rushed for 331 yards and a 5.6-yard average per carry.

Freeport QB/RB Ben Lane has passed for 163 yards and rushed for 183 yards while passing for a TD and scoring twice.

East Allegheny (1-0, 2-2) at North Catholic (1-0, 4-0) 7 p.m., Friday

at Mars Athletic Complex

East Allegheny is coming off a 30-21 win over Burrell ... North dominated host Valley in a 49-0 win.

The Wildcats' two losses have come against Serra Catholic (30-14) and Steel Valley (34-0), teams with a combined record of 7-0.

North senior QB Joey Prentice was injured during a win over Blackhawk Sept. 10 and did not play last week. His status for Friday's game is unknown ... Sophomore backup Jason Siket stepped in and had a fabulous debut, passing for 217 yards and 5 TDs against Valley.

North defeated East Allegheny last year, 35-14.

Corry (0-4) at Slippery Rock (3-0) 7 p.m., Friday

Corry fell to Fairview last week, 34-20 ... Slippery Rock stayed unbeaten with a 34-7 win at home against Grove City.

Nathan Lesher, a senior QB for the Beavers, has completed 20 of 56 passes for 187 yards and 2 INTs ... After losing its season-opener to Sharon 49-0, Corry has been much more competitive over the last three weeks against Titusville, North East and Fairview, losing by an average of just over 14 points ... The Beavers held a 20-13 lead in the 3rd quarter against Fairview.

Slippery Rock RB Shane Thompson left early in last week's game with an apparent collarbone injury. He is out of this week's game ... In less than 9 full quarters this season, Thompson scored 6 TDs. He is the team's leading rusher (153 yards) and his 171 yards receiving are second only to John Sabo (182).

Bradford (0-4) at Moniteau (0-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Bradford wants to forget about a 56-19 defeat at the hands of Ridgway last Friday ... Moniteau looks to rebound from a 44-6 loss against Karns City.

The Owls have given up at least 30 points in each game on the schedule thus far. However, the offense has shown flashes ... Freshman QB Talan Reese went 21-for-47 for 298 yards in last week's bout, also tossing three scores ... Seniors Jerrid Wilmoth and Dalton Dixon lead the team in receiving, combining for 13 catches, 238 yards, and three TDs in the losing effort.

The Warriors haven't been able to stay within less than 15 points against an opponent this season. Against the Gremlins last week, quarterback David Dessicino and his offense were unable to produce any points. On defense, Dessicino's 28-yard second quarter pick-6 was Moniteau's only score in the contest.

Western Beaver (3-1) at Summit Academy (0-4) 12:30 p.m., Saturday

Western Beaver won its third straight game last week, 20-14 over Beaver ... Summit Academy lost to New Castle, 48-4.

Western Beaver QB Xander LeFebvre passed for 100 yards last week, scored on a 4-yard run and kicked two PATs ... The Golden Beavers have allowed an average of 13 points per game during their 3-game winning streak.

Western Beaver and Summit last met in 2019 when the Golden Beavers earned a 48-16 victory.

Eagle Intern Brendan Howe contributed to this report.