Shamokin at Selinsgrove Preview

After losing the 2003 District IV AAA final to Shamokin 17-3, the Selinsgrove Seals from 2004 to present have been quite impressive going deep into the state playoff and capping it off with the 2009 PIAA AAA championship.  It was also the last time the Indian beat the Seals.

The 2010 version of the Selinsgrove Seal have had to replace 18 starters and for the first 12 quarters of 2010 struggled offensively with the football opening up the season 0-3.  Justin Keiser was 16-20 for a 160 yards engineering two big second half drives to pull the Seals within one of Manheim Central.  The Seals tried to win the game in regulation with under a minute left but a two-point conversion was batted down by the Baron defense.

While this exciting game was going on in Lancaster, the 2010 Shamokin Indian did their best to bring back the 2009 version of the Indians.  The 42-13 loss to Southern was marred by turnovers, sloppy tackling, blown coverages and penalties.   The Indians managed to have Jared Montgomery and Jared Haddock go over 100 yards on the night, but it was the Tiger defense that took center stage from the middle of the first period to the half.

"If there is a better single-A team in PA, I would like to see them," said Shamokin Area head coach Dan Foor.  Last Friday, Southern was better team.

What will give in Week 4 between Selinsgrove and Shamokin?   Here are a couple of key things for one to look   Shamokin's running game has been pretty solid with the exception of the second quarter against Southern.  Will that trend continue?

Selinsgrove went to sprint out action against Manheim Central last week.  The Seals had used sprint out action under head coach Bill Scott.  The Indian defense did not get much pressure on Jake Townsend last week.   Will it be more difficult with the Seal's sprint out?  

Some of the intangibles that are going into this game is first things first.  The Seals are home.  Selinsgrove has only lost twice at home since 2004 and one loss included opening day this season to Mount Carmel.  Like it or not Selinsgrove has games with Berwick and Shikellamy in the next two weeks.  Back in August this was penciled as win.

Shamokin on the other hand will be tested on how it rebounds.  Last season the Seals put a hurting on the Indians scoring 55 points.  The game was shorten due to the lights going out.  Will the 2010 team or the 2009 team make the trip across the Susquehanna River???