Making Sense of Week #3 in the Coal Region

This coming week brings the annual battle for the Coal Bucket between Mount Carmel and Shamokin Area. The Red Tornadoes (1-2) and Indians (0-3) are looking for anything positive to jump start their season.

Mount Carmel was looking forward to a match up with Southern especially the way the Tiger's running game struggled in their first two games against Bloomsburg and Shamokin. The Red Tornadoes gave up 253 on the ground and two long drives to start the game.

Shamokin on the other hand came out flat against a very good defensive team in Jersey Shore. After taking Montoursville to the wire and dominating the line of scrimmage, the Indians nearly salvaged a poor performance taking a 15-12 lead with under two minutes to go. The lead only lasted until Jersey Shore's next offensive play as Derek Smith scrambled for a 72-yard TD run. The Bulldogs also tacked on another TD when Shamokin coughed up the ball on the ensuing possession.

Week four brings out more questions for both coaching staffs. Can Mount Carmel's defense stop anyone? Can Shamokin put up any points against anyone? When you looked at the Indians schedule, one would circle Jersey Shore as a win. No one could verify, but Shamokin could have been undefeated against Jersey Shore until Friday.

Looking at playoff chances for either team, a win by Mount Carmel will force Shamokin to win out. Looking down at the schedule, Shamokin might be favored over one team, Shikellamy. Mount Carmel on the other hand would only be favored against North Schuylkill and Shikellamy(Yes, I remember last year). In 2006, three teams made the District IV AA playoffs with a 6-4 record. District IV, it's not too early to get your standings and web updated.

NOTES

- The home team is now 4-8 in the Southern-Mount Carmel rivalry.

- From Week 2, Lancaster Catholic becomes a rare team to win at the Silver Bowl on their first attempt. Some of the more recent ones have been Southern and South Williamsport in 1997 and Pius X in 2001. Send email if there are any I missed.

- Shamokin's turnover ratio is now -8. They did not force a turnover in the first thre games.

-There may have been an early shot fired in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel rivalry, but in soccer. Last Monday, the Indians blasted the Red Tornadoes 8-0. However, Shamokin used a player that was red-carded the previous game and the game was forfeited to MCA. A disqualification note is usually faxed to the PIAA the next day by the official. The PIAA notifies the school about the subsequent suspension. Although the method is archaic, the head coach should know.

-Two Southern grads Ryan Slater and Kyleigh Roth were named captains of their respective college squads.