Shamokin Interview for Selinsgrove

There is no interview for this week with Selinsgrove. Coach Zielinskie politely declined to be recorded. Here is Coach Z.'s address at last year pre-camp cook out.

"We are getting better," said Coach Zielinskie off camera.





Half of the season is in the books for area teams and there are a few surprises. I will run them down here and let me know what you think.


Mount Carmel had many seniors but there defense halfway through has surpassed expectations.

Southern Area got through a rough early stretch and look to week#9 showdown with Mount Carmel for the Heartland Division II Championship. Many expected Southern to be aroun 7-3. Barring major injuries they could find themselves in Hershey. Like Tigers teams past, you look up at the scoreboard in the 4th quarter and find yourself losing 35-0 and Southern just put up 400 rushing yards and their defense doesn't yield too many points.

Shamokin Area has won back-to-back games for the first time in close to four seasons. The Indians were probably hit most by injuries on and off the field and lost player games in between. Even with all their players there and healthy like projected in mid-summer, the Indians are still no better than 3-2 at this point. Shamokin looks like a favorite against Warrior Run, Loyalsock and Mifflinburg in the second half of the season and underdogs against Selinsgrove and Montoursville. 5-5 would put the Indians in the hunt for the playoffs. Could it be the second meeting with Mount Carmel in the same season? Look for the Indians to play Montoursville tough, they always do and should have won last year's game.

AROUND THE AREA

North Schuylkill - came out of the gate 3-0 after a bad four year run.

Central Columbia - possible playoffs after 3 wins in the past three seasons.

Lewisburg - Long time since the Green Dragon's started 5-0. They won the West Branch with 11-0 in 1981.

Danville - The surprise is only two wins and not improving.

Good luck to all teams in the second half of the season.