Bloomsburg Panthers - Shamokin Eatery Guide

Before we talk about the Panthers, if you are attending the Loyalsock Lancer-Delone Catholic Game at Shamokin Area High School here are some restaurants and eateries worth taking a look at:

Mattucci's (actually in Mount Carmel) - 451 W. Fourth Street, 339-2310 or 339-9941. Great Italian American cuisine. Give yourself some time. Worth the wait and distance.

Two Guys of Italy - Route 61 and 901 in the Anthra Plaza. Full menu and pizza for 5.99 for 16 inch large. Salad bar and chalk board special.

James Pizza - 524 E. Pine Street Shamokin, 648-9311. Take Route 61 through Shamokin if traveling North make left at the Shamokin Exxon (do the opposite if traveling south). Go to the fourth stop sign and make a left onto Pine Street. James' is right there. Opens at 5. Better for after the game. Pizza, wings, stromboli and tenderloins are the fare. They also sell the pizza at Hillside Coaches' stand at Kemp Memorial.

Wayside Inn - Route 61 between Shamokin and Paxinos, 648-9228. Full menu with steaks and wings being the specialty. Plenty of parking and seating and service is quick.

Harry's Grill 14 N. Market Street Shamokin, 648-9977. Great food at Coal Region prices. Full menu. Just turn at Dunkin' Donuts on Route 61 on to Route 125 (Market Street). You will hit two lights. After the second light, Harry's in on the right. Plenty of seating. This is only a mile from the stadium.


After watching the Bloomsburg Panthers last Friday, I have to say they have what it takes to win a state title. With Jordan Klinger returning to the line up, gave Bloomsburg a big lift over trail. There is one thing to be of concern is the run defense. Trail was able to muster a drive early in the game running right at the Panthers. Folks who were at the game the week before said Line Mountain was able to run on Bloomsburg until the fullback got hurt late in the first quarter.

With Southern Columbia now out of the tournament, I did take notice to the lack of depth on the single A level. In 2003 and 2005, Southern was able to win state titles with a back-up running back and quarterback. Ryan Slater played for an injured Henry Hynoski in 2003 and rushed for over 100 yards in Hershey. Kyle Connaghan took over the quarterback reins for Ted Heitzman who was ill in 2005 and the Tigers didn't miss a beat. Slater and Connaghan were no ordinary subs.

Looking at a smaller Bloomsburg roster, I believe an injury to Tom Coombe at quarterback or Jordan Klinger at running back could take it's toll for the Panthers. It will be interesting to see how Bloomsburg would stop Steel-High if that game does come about in Week 15.