Mount Carmel's first score of 2008

Mount Carmel's first score in the Heartland Conference.

Former Seal head coach Bill Scott looks on in the opener

Mount Carmel pulled out a 14-0 in a drizzle on Friday. I will have more on this game and Southern vs. Shamokin in my weekend wrap.

Southern vs. Shamokin

I actually got to see both teams scrimmage. Shamokin in week one and Southern against Danville in week two. Here are some thoughts on the sides of the ball.

Offensive Line

This year Southern is noticeably smaller but that doesn't say they won't be a good unit. Shamokin on the other hand has played well in the scrimmages. Southern has had some problems with the unit in the early going the past few seasons. This year more will be going both ways. Shamokin on the other hand has lacked a consistent rushing attack over the last few years.

Slight edge to Southern

QUARTERBACK

Both teams will be employing first year starters. Senior Jeremy Campbell gets the nod at Southern and Senior Ed Taylor gets the nod at Shamokin. Campbell looked good throwing the ball against Danville. Campbell may have a year like Mike Sosnoskie did for Mount Carmel in 2003. Will Jim Roth ask him to run? Ed Taylor has had too good scrimmages and has been extremely accurate downfield.

Edge - Even

Running Backs

Southern has Steve Roth, Sam Springer, and Austin Carpenter. Look for them to be 80% of the offense on Saturday. Shamokin has had problems at the position with Brent Forbes being relied on to go both way and DiRienzo on the shelf. Another back up for the Indians, will sit out the first quarter.

Edge - Big to Southern

Receivers

If there is a silver lining to a 1-9 season, the 2007 Shamokin Indians went wide-open for the last half of the season to move the football. Nick Domanski, Tim Boussan, and Leo Mirolli all got experience and proved they could go deep in scrimmages. This group has to perform well for the Indians to have a chance. Southern has a huge gap to fill with the loss of Colby Snyder.

Edge - Shamokin

DEFENSE

FRONT SEVEN

Both units are solid in the front seven and could possibly keep the game low scoring for each. However, Southern's Aaron Yoder and Tony Drain at inside linebacker may be the best tandem in the region.

Edge - Southern

SECONDARY

Shamokin has some experience, but hasn't played well as a unit. Southern was exposed in the scrimmage, but it was against Danville's Adam Schoop.

Edge - Even (In week one, probably the weakest link on both units)

Special Teams

Southern has experience at punting and placekicking and returners have been adequate. Shamokin has fallen off some since the removal of DeFrancesco.

Edge - Southern

Intangibles

This game will be played two ways; in the trenches or through the air for Shamokin. Shamokin has to keep it close and find leadership to win. Shamokin first has to believe it can win. Southern won 9 games last year and everyone considers that sub-par. Maybe for the Tigers.

PICK

SOUTHERN 21

SHAMOKIN 6

BATTLE AT THE SILVER BOWL

Mount Carmel host Selinsgrove at the Silver Bowl tonight in the Heartland opener for both teams. Mount Carmel in recent years has struggled with Seals speed and the 3-5 defense. Mount Carmel has a boatload of seniors and that counts for something in high school football. Mount Carmel can ill afford to give up 15-yard penalties that have plagued the team in recent years.

Because it is at home and on grass the pick is Mount Carmel in a high scoring game. Last one with the ball may win.

Dave Zielinskie interview for 2008 opener with Southern

Dave Zielinskie interview for 2008 opener with Southern Columbia.

Jim Roth interview for opener with Shamokin

Jim Roth talks about his offseason preparation for the upcoming opener with Shamokin and the new Heartland Conference.




Listen to Saturday's game here on BILL95 FM

Celtic Festival at Spyglass Ridge Winery near Sunbury

Ancient Instruments

Hurrah!!!! School is back in session next week!!!!

The Falcon stalks his prey

Southern Columbia @ Danville Scrimmage

Shamokin Football Video

Marks on his way to Pitt!!!

Pitt announced yesterday that Josh Marks will be enrolling for the fall semester. Josh has to sit out the 2008 season and will have three years left to play like former Southern teammate Henry Hynoski who red-shirted for the Panthers last season.

Here is the link:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08227/904350-100.stm

The Scotsman's Song

Obama continues to lead McCain in Pa., 46% to 41%

A new poll of Pennsylvania voters shows the 2008 presidential race in Pennsylvania will probably be decided by voter perceptions of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s experience and Arizona Sen. John McCain’s ties to President Bush.

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Pennsylvania Fall Sports Get Underway Today

Today is the official first day of practice for the fall sports programs. For those of us that only think there is one sport in the fall, today is the first day of "double sessions".

I had an interesting weekend, on Friday I went to see the Scranton Yankees and believe it or not it was my first trip ever to PNC Field.

On Sunday, I was caught in a one-hour and forty-seven minute rain delay in Philadelphia. Nearly 30 years to the day when I went to my first game, a 3-0 win by the Phils, my youngest son went to his first game on Sunday. Back in 1978, Steve Carlton pitched a shutout, Mike Schmidt hit a homer, and the game was over under 2 hours.

Yesterday, Chase Utley provided the fireworks. Two years later the Phils were World Champions and Schmidt and Carlton ended up on Cooperstown.

Finally, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that former the PSU lineman was at Pitt's practice over the weekend. Marks would enroll as a walk-on and still have to sit out the 2008 season. If the move does come to pass, Marks would be reunited with high school teammate, Henry Hynonski.

Josh Marks Reportedly Leaves Penn State

Josh Marks reportedly leaves PSU.

Josh Marks a four-time PIAA state football champion while at Southern Columbia High School. Details at the time are not available. Friday is media day at PSU. Will JoePa have any comment.

The CoalRegionVoice wishes Marks well in any decision he makes.

Schuylkill servicemen fought at Guadalcanal

Sixty-six years ago, on Aug. 7, 1942, the Marines landed on Guadalcanal. This started the first offensive battle of World War II.

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Weren't They Called Service Stations at One Time?

Barack Obama discusses an upcoming Republican attack. Remember when you went into a full service station and they checked the oil and tires then cleaned the windshields. If not check out the scene in Back to the Future with Michael J. Fox.