Dave Zielinskie discusses Monday's JV game @ SCA

In last Monday's junior varsity contest with Southern Columbia, Shamokin Area head coach Dave Zielinskie was whistled for two, 15-yard penalties and ejected from the game. For many area fans Zielinskie carries some baggage and a bad reputation from his earlier stint as Indians coach. One of the main plays from years ago was a game with Pottsville where a player tried to run with an onside kick and his leg was broke. The Tide ended the series with the Indians shortly thereafter. I got to meet and talk to the player in question year later. He and I shared college alma maters. He said is mistake was trying to advance the ball. Nothing was dirty about the play.



(NOTE: I WAS AT MONDAY'S GAME AS A CASUAL FAN WITH BOTH OF MY SONS AGES 8 AND 5. WE LEFT SHORTLY AFTER A SOUTHERN PLAYER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. FOR HIS FAMILY, THE SOUTHERN TEAM AND COMMUNITY, I WILL KEEP HIM IN MY PRAYERS. THROUGHOUT THE GAME ZIELINSKIE WAS ON THE SIDELINE, BUT DIDN'T INTERACT WITH ANYONE AND WAS USUALLY 20 YARDS OR MORE AWAY FROM HIS COACHES.)



Coach Zielinskie told me he was standing near the 10-yard line early in the game when the official asked if he was a coach or coaching. Zielinskie said he wasn't coaching, but watching his son play. (NOTE: JV sideline rules are very relaxed. Southern had students sitting between the 30 and goal line which no one really cared. Zielinskie who didn't know the referee assumed the referee knew he was indeed the head coach.)



Flash forward to the 4th quarter. Zielinskie said a run was coming right at him and he was about 4 yards from the sideline. The side judge ran up the side on the flat away from the crown and tripped over Zielinskie. The official, not too happy, asked Dave to stay behind the line. Southern's field isn't marked except from the 30's. Zielinskie asked, "What line." The official again said to stay behind the line. Zielinskie responded, "Show me the line." The official responded by throwing a flag for unsportsmanlike. The official asked, "Who are you?" Zielinskie indicated that he was the head coach of Shamokin. The official threw a second flag for lying about coaching the first time and ejecting him. (NOTE: ZIELINSKIE HAD LITTLE INTERACTION ON THE FIELD THE WHOLE GAME.)

Zielinskie at that point sat on the bench then decided to sit in the stands and never said another word. The officials huddled and asked that he leave the stadium. At this point we laughed. Zielinskie made the big mistake of assuming the official knew who he was in the first place. Zielinskie is also not allowed at the next JV game for Shamokin.

Is this more of the Zielinskie reputation? A big misunderstanding? "Shooter" from Hoosiers? You be the judge.