Shamokin Area beats someone not named Shikellamy

For the first time since week #3 of the 2006 season, Shamokin Area defeated a football team not named Shikellamy. In the first half, Shamokin was almost flawless. The Indians went out to a 21-0 lead and the defense held All-State quarterback Andrew Shoop to one completion for four yard and two first downs.


The first half half ended when Shamokin was stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the three or the damage could have been worse. Give the Ironmen credit, they regrouped at the half. The defense who gave nearly 180 yards on the ground only gave up a net 9 yards in the second half on the ground.


Danville pounced on a blocked punt in the endzone to start their scoring and 61-yard pass put the Ironmen on the three with 9 minutes left in the fourth. On the next play, Michael Owen-Wright punched it in from three yards out.

Ghosts of losses past exercised

The Indians who have found more ways to loose in these situations suddenly came up with two defensive stands to preserve the victory.

Patrick Shinskie fell on a fumble at the Indian 18 with under three minutes to play. After three straight runs, Danville forced a Shamokin punt and a good return put them in business at the Indian 40. A first down by the Ironmen had the ball at the Shamokin 30, but four straight incompletions ended the threat.

Key Moments

Shamokin coach Dave Zielinskie burning two timeouts on defense early in the game set the tone for the defense in the first half. After an early lead, he could see the Central Blue Jays dancing in his head.

With over 5 minutes left in the third Danville's Andrew Schoop scrambled for a 10-yard gain and first down near the Danville bench. There were some extracariculars and the Ironmen were whistled for two deadball personal fouls going back to the 18 and making it a second and 30 situation. What happened? We don't know. 9.9 times out of 10 over the years the yellow laundry has gone against Shamokin.

Shamokin's secondary held Danville to six completions for the game. Not bad when you consider Mike Zielinskie a starter last year hasn't played all season. Jared Montgomery was not dressed. Nick Domanskie played but was nursing an injury from Shik. A senior starter was dismissed in the preseason. Tyler Dirienzo has not suited up all season. With the injuries and if he was healthy, he may have seen some time on defense.

Give the game ball to the offensive and defense lines who set the tone in the first half and never quit in the second half.

Did you notice?

After heavy showers in the pregame, it didn't rain for four quarters.

I don't know if this change was made against Shik, but coach Todd Nye was down on the field and coach Ed Zack was in the box.

The longest pass completion for Shamokin was 53 yards on a half back option.

Going foward although the Indian's played great in the first half, they have Selinsgrove coming to town who were 28-3 winners over Berwick. Shamokin's offense didn't have an answer for the defensive adjustments made by the Ironmen at the half.

The last win over a team not named Shikellamy was Jersey Shore in 2006.