Southern Columbia shut out the Shamokin Area on Saturday night 27-0. Like always, there were some surprises and some mistakes, but the team that won deserved it. On Thursday, I posted a preview of how I thought the game would be played. I didn't look at it again until 24 hours after the conclusion of the games. You can look at the preview here.
Two things mentioned were pretty accurate. I gave a big edge to the Southern receivers and secondary. Look at the intangibles, not too bad of a prediction.
From a radio standpoint, our phone line didn't work. It delayed our pregame. We don't get any preseason so we have to be on our mark. I keep my stats while doing play-by-play. In the first week of the season, you do get a number or player wrong as you record. Looking at two newspapers, they were pretty accurate. One tough thing at Southern, they change the down and distance really fast on the scoreboard. I don't do a running play-by-play stat sheet.
THE GOOD
Southern looks like the defense has made the smooth transition to 2007. Front seven played , especially the linebackers played better than expected. There is no status on Joe Picarelli who was injured before half on defense. Southern didn't go into double tight ends on offense too much after the injury. Ted Heitzman seemed very poised despite constant pressure and the Tigers were able to convert several third and longs and one fourth and long on the first drive of the game. The Heitzman to Colby Snyder combination could be as tough as Brad Osevala to Ardie Kissinger.
Shamokin defense was tough as advertised. Became one of the first teams in recent memory to hold Southern Columbia under 100 yards net rushing for a game. I can't remember the last time it was done. Was it 2001 in the state title game against Rochester? Was it the last time they played Selinsgrove at Selinsgrove on a soggy field? To Southern's credit, it has been a long time. The Indian's didn't really have any personnel problems. Both team had one illegal substitutions.
THE BAD
Both offensive lines had their problems. Shamokin was probably more disappointing due to the experience they had coming back on the line. The Indians couldn't find answers for a running game and pass protection wasn't. Give the Southern defense some credit for that. Southern was probably a little disappointed because they did perform better in two scrimmages. Roth will make adjustments. Will it mean less platooning????
THE UGLY
The best way to describe Shamokin's offense was "fragmented". There wasn't sign that the Indians could mount any consistency. For Southern, fans need to be patient. You just got finished watching your best team in school history in 2006. Be patient, this team will be good in week 11. Both teams face tough tests in week 2 as the Indians tangle with Montoursville and Bloomsburg, probably with their best team in two decades, look to know off the Tigers.
AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD
Here are some things I noticed, read, listened, or surprised me over the weekend:
Matt Gilger for Lourdes Regional broke up one pass and intercepted another in a 14-0 Red Raider loss. He closed on plenty of ground to make both plays.
Tony Drain stepping it for 11 tackles for Southern adding some heat with Justin Knoebel.
North Schuylkill going down 33-0 to Shenandoah. With the Blue Devils graduating a few from their District Championship team and the Spartans in their second season with Rick Geist, I thought the score would be closer.
Valley West only winning by five in George Curry's second year at the helm.
Why is
Crestwood always
ranked high in the preseason??? (Super 16)
Silence at the Big House.
The Irish losing by more than 30 for the 6th time in team history at home. Offense was anemic and didn't score a touchdown. Lion fans smell blood.
Finally, as I was driving and listening to the Philadelphia Eagles pre-game on the radio their last sponsor was PennDOT. Could that be true???? Remember I-81 being shut down? Anyone hear the same thing??
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