Jake09
09-26-2009, 01:11 PM
By Charlie Roth
Published: September 26, 2009
COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area did everything it wanted during Friday night's showdown with unbeaten Shikellamy at Kemp Memorial Stadium.
Except, that is, win the game.
The Braves' (4-0) 21-19 victory over the Indians came in spite of Shamokin Area's domination, rather than because of Shikellamy's.
The Indians knew they had to control the ball and, at the same time, the clock, limiting the opportunities presented to a very good Shikellamy offense.
They also knew that, when the Braves did get those offensive opportunities, they had to deny fullback Dominic Wolfe and quarterback Garrett Pope, the playmakers in Shikellamy's dive option attack, any chance to make plays.
And they accomplished both those goals, for the most part, all night.
Shamokin Area's ground game was punishing, eating up yards and valuable minutes while pounding out 242 yards on 47 attempts. And on defense, the Indians limited Wolfe and Pope to a combined 21 yards on 25 carries.
"We knew we had to keep their offense off the field, and I thought we did a good job of that," first-year Shamokin Area coach Dan Foor said. "And we had to take away 6 (Wolfe) and the quarterback, and we did that.
"But their tailback stepped up and made some plays for them."
That punishing Shamokin Area ground game was a key factor during the first half when, on the strength of a Brent Forbes 2-yard touchdown run, and a 39-yard Jared Haddock-to-Forbes screen pass and run, the Indians took a 13-7 lead into the intermission.
But the Braves, who accumulated 132 of their 196 total yards on just two plays, jumped into a lead they wouldn't give up on the first play of the second half when Pope connected with wideout Beau Sebasovich for a 52-yard touchdown.
The Braves' other long gainer, an 80-yard run by tailback T.J. Hertzog late in the third quarter, led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Zac Deibler and a 21-13 Shikellamy lead.
"They have a very good team," Foor said. "Give them credit, they made plays when they had to.
"That pass play to start the second half was a great call by their offensive coordinator. We had it covered, but their kid made a great adjustment and caught the ball."
The Indians, though, had chances.
Forbes' third touchdown, a 23-yard pass of the same variety from Haddock, cut the margin to 21-19, but an errant pitch on the 2-point attempt left the deficit at that.
Then, after forcing a Shikellamy punt on its next possession, the Indians took over at their own seven with 4 minutes, 38 seconds left in the game.
Mixing the run and pass effectively, the moved quickly to the Shikellamy 26 where, with 1:17 remaining and Shamokin out of timeouts, Haddock spiked the ball on first down to stop the clock.
Two runs netted only five yards, then, on fourth and five, Haddock's pass intended for Preston Ford was incomplete, ending the threat and turning the ball back over to the Braves.
"I don't think you can say there was a turning point," Foor said. "Because we had our chance to win in the end.
"Give our kids credit. They didn't panic. They moved down the field, and had a chance to score and win."
Published: September 26, 2009
COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area did everything it wanted during Friday night's showdown with unbeaten Shikellamy at Kemp Memorial Stadium.
Except, that is, win the game.
The Braves' (4-0) 21-19 victory over the Indians came in spite of Shamokin Area's domination, rather than because of Shikellamy's.
The Indians knew they had to control the ball and, at the same time, the clock, limiting the opportunities presented to a very good Shikellamy offense.
They also knew that, when the Braves did get those offensive opportunities, they had to deny fullback Dominic Wolfe and quarterback Garrett Pope, the playmakers in Shikellamy's dive option attack, any chance to make plays.
And they accomplished both those goals, for the most part, all night.
Shamokin Area's ground game was punishing, eating up yards and valuable minutes while pounding out 242 yards on 47 attempts. And on defense, the Indians limited Wolfe and Pope to a combined 21 yards on 25 carries.
"We knew we had to keep their offense off the field, and I thought we did a good job of that," first-year Shamokin Area coach Dan Foor said. "And we had to take away 6 (Wolfe) and the quarterback, and we did that.
"But their tailback stepped up and made some plays for them."
That punishing Shamokin Area ground game was a key factor during the first half when, on the strength of a Brent Forbes 2-yard touchdown run, and a 39-yard Jared Haddock-to-Forbes screen pass and run, the Indians took a 13-7 lead into the intermission.
But the Braves, who accumulated 132 of their 196 total yards on just two plays, jumped into a lead they wouldn't give up on the first play of the second half when Pope connected with wideout Beau Sebasovich for a 52-yard touchdown.
The Braves' other long gainer, an 80-yard run by tailback T.J. Hertzog late in the third quarter, led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Zac Deibler and a 21-13 Shikellamy lead.
"They have a very good team," Foor said. "Give them credit, they made plays when they had to.
"That pass play to start the second half was a great call by their offensive coordinator. We had it covered, but their kid made a great adjustment and caught the ball."
The Indians, though, had chances.
Forbes' third touchdown, a 23-yard pass of the same variety from Haddock, cut the margin to 21-19, but an errant pitch on the 2-point attempt left the deficit at that.
Then, after forcing a Shikellamy punt on its next possession, the Indians took over at their own seven with 4 minutes, 38 seconds left in the game.
Mixing the run and pass effectively, the moved quickly to the Shikellamy 26 where, with 1:17 remaining and Shamokin out of timeouts, Haddock spiked the ball on first down to stop the clock.
Two runs netted only five yards, then, on fourth and five, Haddock's pass intended for Preston Ford was incomplete, ending the threat and turning the ball back over to the Braves.
"I don't think you can say there was a turning point," Foor said. "Because we had our chance to win in the end.
"Give our kids credit. They didn't panic. They moved down the field, and had a chance to score and win."