Mount Carmel and Shamokin Looking for Someone to Step Up

Hard to believe a few years ago that both teams would come into this game with just one victory between them. Well that time has come. Although both team played and lost to Southern Columbia, this is still the biggest game on the schedule for both and always will be. The game will mark the 101st time the teams have played. Will anyone be able to step up on Friday?

Mount Carmel has won the last 11 in row. Shamokin beaten Mount Carmel since 1995. The last two seasons Mount Carmel has used some unheralded players to pull out the victory. In 2005, Dave Pellowski ran for 98 yards and Dave Avellino caught 3 passes for 71 including one for 33 in a key drive. Last year, Jonas Pachuski keyed a second have come from behind victory with 6 catches for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns. No one ever had ever caught 4 TD passes in one game for the Red Tornadoes and that was the 1099th game in Mount Carmel history.

Shamokin nearly answered with Marc Persing going 9 for 9 in the first half enroute to a 17-24 day for 150 yards. Shamokin built a 12-7 lead at the half. Pachuski put on his cape to start the second half and once again the Indians were denied a rare road win at the Silver Bowl.

Nate Morgan's 54-yard reception from Mike Sosnoskie late in the fourth quarter set up the only touchdown of the game in a 10-2 Mount Carmel victory in 2003. This overshadowed a big defensive game by Matt Rhodes of Shamokin who had 22 tackles.

While Shamokin has waited more than a decade for someone to step and somehow lead the Indians to victory, Mount Carmel has had someone step up and probably play the best game of their scholastic careers against the Indians.

Although the rivalry for both schools with Southern Area grows by the year, the only question that will be asked of these players about their playing days will be not be of championships won, but did you beat Mount Carmel or did you beat Shamokin? Mount Carmel dominated the first 100 games. Is it Shamokin's turn this time?

Good luck to both teams.