Southern Rolls Against Shamokin in Battle of Unbeatens

Going in tonight's game against Southern, Shamokin had a a lot to be happy about.  There long dormant running game (years) was churning out yardage with great play from the offensive line, the defense was playing great, and penalties were kept to a minimum.

Southern on the otherhand was starting slow in their first two games and trying to find some some consistency in the running game. The Indians had some optimism that was dashed away early.

If you would have told anyone going into Tiger Stadium that Shamokin would have two 100-yard rushers and would limit Thomas and Morton to about 100 yards total on the ground, most would have said Shamokin won.

Mistakes and penalties paid a visit to Shamokin tonight with two turnovers, a blown coverage and sloppy tackling leading to 28 points and a 42-13 win by the Tigers.

Tyrell Thomas had three touchdowns including pass receptioins of 40 and 47 yard for scores to go with an 8- yard TD run.

Defensively, Matt Moore was all over the field including an outstanding performance on kick coverage for the Tigers.

The microcosm of the game was the very first series where Southern recovered a Shamokin funble at the Indian 25 and Thomas scored from 8 yards out three plays laters.  Shamokin came back and big run by Matt Montgomery put the Indians in a would be first-and-goal at 6, but a dead ball moved Shamokin back to the 20 and would be 35-yard field goal was short. 

After trading possesions, it was Thomas breaking a tackle and taking it to the house for 41 yards and a 14-0 lead.  Gone was Shamokin's ability to control the game and run downhill. Southern's defense made the Indians offensive life miserable holding Montgomery to 54 yards in the first half total.

In the end, it was Southern's ability to dominate the line of scrimmage.  It wasn't overall domination, but the did it at critical times when Shamokin folded in critical moments.

Shamokin travels to Selinsgrove next week who lost in the waning seconds to Manheim Central.  Southern will play Central Columbia.