Smoke Under the Teepee

Shamokin Area concluded their first season under Dan Foor with a 3-7 mark on the season with a 35-13 loss to Loyalsock where the Indians rushed for over 240 yards, but turned over the ball 6 times.

Here is a look at some of the numbers. Shamokin was outscored by the opposition in the 1st and 3rd quarters by 71 to 35 and 69 to 24. The Indians were break even in the 2nd and 4th quarter.

Shamokin was a -4 on the turnover ratio losing the ball 27 times on 20 fumbles and 7 interceptions. Most area teams were around 16 turnovers for the season. Lewisburg only lost the ball 9 times all season. Shamokin's average is close to three a game.

Penalties were a big part of the 2009 season. Shamokin had 80 for 673 yards. An 8/game average. Most area teams averaged half of that with the exception of Selinsgrove. We touch upon the subject of penalties later.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line was a strong suit for the Indians this season and shook off a bad start and played fine as a unit. It was more impressive showing the Indians lack of a passing attack. Strong nucleus returns next season.

RUNNING BACKS

Ran tough but fumbled alot. Forbes is a senior and will be missed. The unit has lacked a burner for a few years.

QUARTERBACK

The Indians shared duties with Haddock and Supsic. Haddock was the better runner, but Supsic didn't do a bad job running the team. With Forbes gone and Haddock's speed will he move to tailback next season?

Passing accuracy was at a premium all season.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS

Hard to pinpoint if it was youth at quarterback or at these positions. They were never a threat receiving but did a good job blocking up front for the running game.

DEFENSE

The front seven played very all season and never quit to their credit. Forbes will be gone but a strong unit returns.

SECONDARY

Could use a lot of work. Only adequate on run support, got burned consistently in obvious passing situations. The unit will have the same questions in 2010.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The punt return team was woeful. Never a threat for a return, this unit lost major field position over the course of the season by not catching the ball. Catching the ball in 2010 would be a huge improvement. The rest of the special teams played well including the field goal unit.

INTANGIBLES

All things considered, Coach Foor came into a tough situation as the third head coach in three years. He had to open with the Indians two big rivalries back-to-back. He installed a new offense.

If one had to pinpoint two turning points of the season, it would have been Supsic's interception into interference to an eventual TD for Mount Carmel. In week 2, who knows how the rest of the game would have went.

The next one came in week 5 against Danville. Shamokin played a terrible first half but managed to tie it at 10 late in the half. The Indians came out uninspired in the second half. Danville went on to win that night and have not lost since.

CHARACTER

Going into 2010 if there is anything you can find with a 35-13 to Loyalsock, Shamokin fell behind 14-0 and turned the ball over 3 times in the first period. They could have started the buses but the Indians pulled within 1 and eventually trailed at the half 21-13. The kids should be commended.