Curwensville, Glendale, Moshannon Valley, Purchase Line and West Branch all defend their home turf, while Clearfield and Philipsburg-Osceola hit the road to take on rivals.

The Golden Tide welcome Port Allegany to the Riverside Stadium, the Vikings entertain Everett, the Black Knights christen their brand new stadium by playing host to Northern Bedford, the Red Dragons lock horns with Ligonier Valley and the Warriors tussle with Southern Huntingdon.

The Bisons battle long-time rival DuBois at E.J. Mansell Stadium, while the Mounties visit Wingate to take on Bald Eagle Area.

Here is a closer look at this week's games:

Clearfield

at DuBois

DuBOIS - The Clearfield football team opens its 2008 campaign against one of its oldest and fiercest rivals, and the Bisons have to do it on the road.

Clearfield visits DuBois as the Beavers make a return to the schedule after a one-year hiatus. The Bisons topped the Beavers 24-14 at the Bison Sports Complex in the last meeting between the schools in 2006.

"They're a good-size AAAA school with a lot of big kids," Clearfield head coach Tim Janocko said. "But their strength's in their skilled positions."

Janocko is quite concerned about senior quarterback Danny Henry, who completed 77 of his 133 pass attempts for 740 yards last season. He also says the Beaver running backs led by senior Garrett Malmgren are cause for concern.

"They have a three-year starter at quarterback and a couple fast backs who pose a serious threat on the turf field. We need to play sound defense."

The turf is also something Janocko thinks could come in to play as his squad doesn't get to play on that type of surface too often.

"We don't see turf that much," he said. "We'll see how we warm up in pregame. But we won't deviate from our game plan. The outcome of the game will come down to who makes the most big plays. They have too much speed to be able to shut them down."

No matter the outcome, Janocko says his team is ready.

"You never feel like you're prepared enough," he said. "But the kids have worked hard and they are ready to play. We're going to play hard and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season. We started out 1-2 last year and ended the regular season at 7-3. So we don't want to put too much pressure on just one game."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Port Allegany

at Curwensville

CURWENSVILLE - For Curwensville head football coach Andy Evanko and his Golden Tide, there's no place like home to kick off the 2008 season.

The Tide play host to Port Allegany and look to get off to a good start in front of the home crowd.

"Every team is different," Evanko said. "Some teams you would rather take on the road to start a season, but I think this is a team that I like opening at home. The community always comes out to support us. The place is going to be packed. We're excited."

The Tide haven't played the Gators since 2005, when they shut them out 33-0 in the regular season and beat them 42-7 in the playoffs. Curwensville has won six straight matchups dating back to 1999.

Evanko says Port Allegany has changed their offense since the last meeting, and the new sets have him concerned.

"They do a lot of things," he said. "It's uncharacteristic for them. They have a more wide-open offense. I guess that's just a sign of the times. They have a very good quarterback (Camrin Stuckey) that runs and throws well. And their back (Seth Lowery) is a very capable runner.

"We just have to focus, read our keys and do our jobs on defense."

When the Golden Tide have the ball, Evanko says they will have to contend with a very aggressive defense.

"They try to play in your backfield," he said. "We have to establish the run like we always want to do. Then when everyone gets in the box, we'll open up the passing game."

Evanko says the team came out of camp without any significant injuries and is ready to get on with the season.

"Scrimmages are nice, but the games are for real now," he said. "We're excited. There is almost a sense of urgency. We are ready to go."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Philipsburg-Osceola

at Bald Eagle Area

WINGATE - The Mounties will head to Wingate for their 34th meeting with the Eagles riding a five-game winning streak.

Last season, P-O toppled an injury-riddled Bald Eagle Area, 20-7, in Week 5. This year, the Mounties will kick off their season with one of their closest rivals.

"The schools are so close," said P-O head coach Jeff Vroman. "We've battled it out in softball and other sports for so long, so the kids know each other. It isn't like starting out with Brookville for the last couple of years where there wasn't really a connection. We know them, so that adds to it.

 "But the first game of every season is a coach's nightmare no matter how you look at. You always wonder how your kids are going to react. You have to avoid huge mistakes that are going to be costly."

The Eagles are coming off a winless 2007, with a new head coach and a new quarterback.

Jack Tobias is taking over the reins of the team, while Derek Knoll and Tyler Womer will battle for the quarterback job. Neither played football last year.

That doesn't mean the Mounties will have to stop chasing last year's QB, A.J. Robinson, who moves to running back this season.

"We've seen them in two scrimmages," Vroman said. "They have been able to throw the ball with some effectiveness.

"They also will run. Both quarterbacks look like good athletes. Their backs are pretty big, too, so we have to make sure that we wrap them up and don't let them get out in the open."

The Eagles' biggest asset seems to be their depth. With 48 players listed on its roster, the team is one of the biggest in the area.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Wingate.

Everett

at Glendale

FLINTON - Glendale football coach Rick Kozak looks at every game on the schedule as a test, and the Vikings will have their first on Friday when they welcome Everett to Dr. Roy F. Baker Field in Flinton.

The Warriors return their top three running backs from last season, in addition to their quarterback and top receiver.

"Traditionally, they have a strong program," said Kozak of Everett. "The last couple of years their record hasn't indicated that, but the kids always play hard. They're always well coached, and they know the situation they're involved in. I don't expect too much of that to be different. We'll get a good idea where we're at this Friday."

The Vikings will look to control Cory Waltman from his position in the wing-T offense. Waltman led Everett with 226 yards on the ground last season, and was also the leading receiver with 235 yards on 14 catches.

Despite returning their top runners, Everett didn't have a running back eclipse 53 yards in any game last year.

"The biggest thing is we have to be patient and force them into some long situations, and make them convert long third downs instead of short ones," Kozak said.

"We have to try to control the line of scrimmage and play in their backfield. ... If we have one person out of position, that opens up a lane for them to run through and we can't have that."

The Warriors typically run a 4-4 defense, but the Vikings have to be ready for more than that this season.

Fullback Vance Kimberly and tailback Craig Bickford will try to pick up chunks of yardage on the ground against the Warrior defense, while sophomore quarterback Tyler Jenny hopes to provide some balance through the air to fellow classmate Lucas Westover and senior Steven Rusnak.

"They try to confuse you and make you second-guess what you're doing," said Kozak of the Warrior defense. "We'll have to be smart with what we do."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Northern Bedford

at Moshannon Valley

AMESVILLE - In the first week of the season, experience usually comes into play.

The Moshannon Valley football team has more returnees than Northern Bedford, but head coach Murray Fetzer is cautious to say that will play a profound role in the outcome.

"Historically, Northern Bedford has been an extremely well-coached team," said Fetzer.

"I don't see that changing with their new coach. (Interim coach Jeff Batzel) is a very good X's and O's coach, and they're going to be well prepared. Even though they don't have the experience, they're going to come to play and they will play hard.

While the Panthers will be breaking in new players at several positions, one who won't be replaced is senior Billy Riley.

In addition to lining up in the backfield, Riley was also a threat when running patterns. Riley added 18 catches for 200 yards and five scores to the four touchdowns he contributed on the ground last year.

"He's an all-around good player, and he's a good athlete," Fetzer said of Riley. "I think it's going to be a test for our defense. We have six or seven returning guys, which is going to help, but we've got to be able to make the plays. We have to shut down the main juggernaut if you hope to be successful."

The Black Knights will also pay attention to where Riley is on the defensive side of the ball from his linebacker spot.

If Mo Valley can keep tabs on Riley, the offensive line will be looked upon in helping pave the way for fullback Brandon Morroni, as well as quarterback Tyler Neff and his receivers.

Tom Rowley and Jason Gmerek will be Neff's main targets, while tight end Airik Hutton will give Northern Bedford another weapon to pay attention to.

"We know the stunts that they've done with their linebackers, and we know where they like to attack," said Fetzer of the Panther defense.

"Even though we know what they like to do, doesn't mean we can stop it. We've got to identify where (Riley) is. They're going to want to make some plays with him."

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday at the Moshannon Valley Athletic Field.

Southern Huntingdon

at West Branch

ALLPORT - As the Warriors welcome the Rockets of Southern Huntingdon in to kick off the 2008 football season, they are ready to leave the past - including last year's winless season - behind.

"It's been real upbeat this week," West Branch head coach Rob Lazauskas said. "The kids, I think, are ready to go. They know what they're up against and they're ready to erase the ghosts of the past."

Southern Huntingdon finished last season with a 7-3 record and despite losing some of its rushing attack, still returns starting quarterback Zack Crull - a dual threat who passed for 637 yards and seven touchdowns and ran for 442 yards and four TDs. West Branch expects the Rockets to spread the field to open things up for Crull and fullback Kyle Hill.

"They're spreading people out to give their quarterback and fullback room to run," Lazauskas said. "They've got a lot of experience back and they're quick and physical. We really have to play disciplined assignments on defense."

On the other side of the ball, Southern Huntingdon doesn't do anything fancy on defense, but Lazauskas knows his team will need to be fundamentally sound.

"They try to control it up front with their front four and their linebackers make great reads," Lazauskas said. "They're extremely physical and when they get hands on they finish. A great tackling team. We're going to have to be in position and run hard to match their physicality."

In order to rediscover a winning tradition at West Branch these Warriors are looking to put together a strong performance in Week 1 so they can build toward the rest of the season.

"Right now this is the most important game on the schedule because it's this week," Lazauskas said. "We need to come out and play well and the kids understand that. We need to play hard for four whole quarters.

"The gameplan is in and it's time to play."

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Ligonier Valley

at Purchase Line

PURCHASE LINE - After a magical run to the district final last season, the Dragons are looking to get 2008 started on the right foot as they host Ligonier Valley.

Purchase Line lost some key players from last year squad but return a number of letterwinners and will rely on those with experience to help get past the opening night jitters.

"It's typical the first week before the game you're not sure where you're at," Purchase Line head coach Dave Small said. "But overall we've got a lot of seniors and they've been down this road before, but you never know what's going to happen first week."

Last year saw the 9-1 Mounties trounce the Red Dragons early in the season, and Purchase Line will look to avoid that scenario this time around by preparing for returning senior quarterback Will Fennel and the Wing-T offense.

"They've got guys returning on the line and they're quarterback coming back," Small said. "They run the Wing-T and they run it very well. They're execution is strong, and that's why they were 9-0 in conference last year. The quarterback is not afraid to throw the football, and their play-action off the run is very good."

Offensively Purchase Line will bring its trademark ground game and try to use a strong offensive line to pound Ligonier Valley up front.

"They had relatively good success shutting us down, and we've been looking at what they did to us last year and trying to improve on that."

That O-line will also be on the lookout for converted linebacker Matt Beckman, who racked up 10 sacks as a defensive end last season.

"Beckman is a very good football player and he's very active in there and we're going to try to control him and contain him with some our returning seniors," Small said.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.