Coal Bucket Wrap Up

Pictures from the weekend include on the left Marcus Wasilewski getting ready for pregame. Mike Brennan gives some encouragment to Dave Tomtichen. Shamokin students above.

As I was down on the field before the game sitting and chatting with some old friends, something really caught my eye. I was watching Marcus Wasilewski warming up and throwing 15-yard lasers, but something else stood out. It was #21 Justin Pellowski catching the ball. His hands received the ball with such ease as if Wasilewski was handing him a football from an arm length away. This wasn't just one catch, but about 10 to 15 from 15 to 20 yards resembling a starting pitcher and catcher warming up.

When I got to the press box, I immediately went to my program and identified the player. About 2 hours later the rest of the Coal Region would find out. Justin Pellowski scored two touchdowns caught 5 passes and had 164 yard receiving. The Red Tornadoes kept the Coal Bucket for the 12 straight time by a 41-14 score.

Shamokin may have found a cure for their ailing rushing attack with Tyler Dirienzo who had a 172 yards on 20 carries. DiRienzo battled some health problems in the first few weeks of the season.

The Red Tornadoes can't rest with undefeated Bloomsburg coming to the Silver Bowl next week. Mount Carmel had their lowest rushing output of the season and the defense had a hard time stopping the run while the game was still in doubt.

WHY HAS THE STREAK GONE SO LONG?

Why has Mount Carmel been able to win 12 straight? Many offer up so many opinions and the last five games had so much bad luck for Shamokin to last a lifetime. Vince Lombardi once said luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Since Shamokin won it's last game in 1995, Mount Carmel has produced 22 All-Staters. In addition to the 22 All-Staters, Mark Ambrose went to Virginia, Scott Novack to Lehigh, Matt Van Doren to Lafayette and Sean Fracalossi to Northeastern.

Shamokin on the other hand has been spotty with All-State awards and Division I players. Jamie Wisloski, who was a stalwart in 1995, was a starting defensive back at Lafayette and Tony Varano played at Bucknell. Jon Nalewak played at Loch Haven, Richie Schiccatano at Lycoming, Matt Rhodes at Wilkes and Jared Pretrovich earned a baseball scholarship to George Mason. Dennis Kodack was an outstanding defensive end and punter at Susquehanna, but chose not to play football in high school. Nate Schiccatano only played two season's at Shamokin.

There have been other Shamokin players appear on rosters throughout the college world, but the players above were heavy contributors to the Indians in the last 12 years. All-State Awards are subjective and really depends how far a team may go in the post season. Division I players are different. There is a combination of size, speed and strength that attracts the scouts. Grades may put you over the top. Mount Carmel's number in this department approaches 20 players when making their first stop after graduation.

As another old saying goes, players win the games coaches can only lose them.