Southern Preps for the Playoffs.

Southern Columbia had a stiff test in week 10 as Danville put up an aerial show with nearly 300 yards in the air. The Ironmen fell short 47-34 and so did their playoff hopes. When you look at the scope of 10 weeks, the Tigers replaced many starters, had some injuries and still managed to post a 9-1 record. Southern managed to host a home game when Line Mountain fell from first to third with a 14-12 loss to Millersburg. Millersburg also claimed the Twin Valley Championship. Analysis on Line Mountain will come later in the week.

MOUNT CARMEL

Mount Carmel fell to Selinsgrove at Harold Bolig Stadium for the fifth consecutive time, 34-19. With the number one seed going to Towanda, the Red Tornadoes could have had a game at home with an easier opponent but with get Montoursville in the first round and possibly Loyalsock in the second round. The Red Tornadoes will go as far their run defense takes it. In 1999, Mount Carmel won the district championship being the fourth seed out of four teams. Look for their long bustrips to Biglerville and Chichester to pay dividends now. Although Montoursville and Loyalsock aren't' that far, their will still be the diesel fumes in the air.

SHAMOKIN

There was alot of hoopla when Dave Zielinskie assumed control over the Indians for his second stint as head coach. However, 15 years did pass since the Indians walked off Crispin Field in the playoffs in 1992 in Zielinkie's last season at the helm. With a loss to Southern in the opening week and a week four blowout to Mount Carmel, Shamokin was left without local support to play the rest of the season. To the team's credit, they played the likes of Mifflinburg, Cedar Cliff, Pottsville, Selinsgrove and Blue Mountain tough. They did not bow to the "mercy rule". Week 10 rewarded them with their first win of the season over Shikellamy. Eight out of ten teams on Shamokin's schedule made the postseason. Analysis on the 2007 season and what the Indians need for 2008 will be upcoming.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Electricity expensive? The lights were quick to go out at Danville last week against Southern. With most of the Southern team still on the field and about 100 friends and family the place went black leaving everyone to find a way out.

There was a great article on Mount Carmel's sports information director Phil Gergen in Monday's News-Item. Gergen and long time statician, Jose Gonzalo, have put in so much effort over the years compiling two history books and maintaining records and statistics. Gergen has also undertaken the huge task of putting Mount Carmel game film on DVD. The game film goes back to the the 1940's. Remember that not includes MCA, but any opponent they had since that time. Chris Doleman, a former Minnesota Viking standout, is in one the games when William Penn (York, PA) played Mount Carmel in 1980.