PIAA "A" and "AA" Previews

A

For the first time in 14 years Southern Columbia won't be in the Eastern Final. Who is the win against Steel-High and Bloomsburg? I got to see Bloomsburg once this season live against Lackawanna Trail and saw them on film against Mount Carmel. Bloomsburg is big and physical and they have some speed. Their schedule was tough and they are playoff tested on with this season alone. The key aspect of the game will be how the Panther defense contains Jeremiah Young. If Bloom gives up more than three runs over 70 yards this game will be all Steel-High.

For those of you holding the MCA game as a barometer for the Panthers, they played without four starters that night. That game also was nearly three months ago. One thing the Panthers don't have like Southern brought to the table every year is AAA depth. One or two key people going down with injury could spell trouble for Bloomsburg.

My Pick - Steel High - running game and speed.

AA

Dunmore returns to Kemp Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1975 where they lost the Class A (Big School) championship to Shamokin Area. Loyalsock has come out of nowhere in 2007 with two wins over Montoursville. Don't use the loss to Bloomsburg as a measuring stick in this one. The Lancers played Bloom on the road in a rainstorm. Bloom looked like they wanted to be there, Loyalsock didn't.

I seen Loyalsock twice this season. In the regular season finale against Lewisburg and last week against Delone. I am impressed with their ability to get guys open in the secondary and their lines' ability to get off the ball on both sides. Austin Knighton with yards after being hit is really impressive.

Dunmore has a big win against West Scranton in week 3. The Bucks also had the speed to keep up with Lansdale Catholic and wore them down in the end. This could be a very physical contest.

My pick - Dunmore in a tight one - knocking out District 11 in AA is huge and schedule may have been a shade better.

NOTES

The last time a District II team made the state final was 1997 with Berwick in AAA. Dunmore won the 1989 A state championship scoring 57 points, still a PIAA record in the finals. A member of that team was former Notre Dame and Miami Dolphin standout center, Tim Ruddy.

Panther Valley Site Change "Misunderstanding"

In today's Republican, Sam Matta explains the "misunderstanding" that took place with the site change from Panther Valley to Blue Mountain. It appears the matter was never approved by the school board at Panther Valley. Once again here is red tape at it's finest. It seems every year especially in football and basketball the tournaments are conducted like a first time venture. Districts know in the beginning of each season if they will host a playoff for any class level. School board permissions should be received September 30th at the latest to clear up any confusion. Basketball sites should be approved by January 30th. If you talk to the PIAA, they will say this is a district problem. The districts will say their hands are tied by the PIAA.

As a taxpayer of the Shamokin Area School District, I have been lucky to witness many state playoff games in football and basketball. If your counting here are some of the benefits of hosting a playoff game:

1.) You get to showcase your community. (Exception: fans reaction to Patriot reporter Nick Horvath in 1996.)

2.) Your boosters who run the concession stands benefit. Shamokin has two stands. One is run by the football boosters and the other by the band boosters.

3.) Local businesses stand to gain with the extra people visiting.

In the end look at the big picture. Over the years Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel have more playoff wins at Kemp Memorial than Shamokin Area. I will go on the record and say that no one does a better job hosting a playoff game than the community of the greater Shamokin Area.

Bloomsburg Panthers - Shamokin Eatery Guide

Before we talk about the Panthers, if you are attending the Loyalsock Lancer-Delone Catholic Game at Shamokin Area High School here are some restaurants and eateries worth taking a look at:

Mattucci's (actually in Mount Carmel) - 451 W. Fourth Street, 339-2310 or 339-9941. Great Italian American cuisine. Give yourself some time. Worth the wait and distance.

Two Guys of Italy - Route 61 and 901 in the Anthra Plaza. Full menu and pizza for 5.99 for 16 inch large. Salad bar and chalk board special.

James Pizza - 524 E. Pine Street Shamokin, 648-9311. Take Route 61 through Shamokin if traveling North make left at the Shamokin Exxon (do the opposite if traveling south). Go to the fourth stop sign and make a left onto Pine Street. James' is right there. Opens at 5. Better for after the game. Pizza, wings, stromboli and tenderloins are the fare. They also sell the pizza at Hillside Coaches' stand at Kemp Memorial.

Wayside Inn - Route 61 between Shamokin and Paxinos, 648-9228. Full menu with steaks and wings being the specialty. Plenty of parking and seating and service is quick.

Harry's Grill 14 N. Market Street Shamokin, 648-9977. Great food at Coal Region prices. Full menu. Just turn at Dunkin' Donuts on Route 61 on to Route 125 (Market Street). You will hit two lights. After the second light, Harry's in on the right. Plenty of seating. This is only a mile from the stadium.


After watching the Bloomsburg Panthers last Friday, I have to say they have what it takes to win a state title. With Jordan Klinger returning to the line up, gave Bloomsburg a big lift over trail. There is one thing to be of concern is the run defense. Trail was able to muster a drive early in the game running right at the Panthers. Folks who were at the game the week before said Line Mountain was able to run on Bloomsburg until the fullback got hurt late in the first quarter.

With Southern Columbia now out of the tournament, I did take notice to the lack of depth on the single A level. In 2003 and 2005, Southern was able to win state titles with a back-up running back and quarterback. Ryan Slater played for an injured Henry Hynoski in 2003 and rushed for over 100 yards in Hershey. Kyle Connaghan took over the quarterback reins for Ted Heitzman who was ill in 2005 and the Tigers didn't miss a beat. Slater and Connaghan were no ordinary subs.

Looking at a smaller Bloomsburg roster, I believe an injury to Tom Coombe at quarterback or Jordan Klinger at running back could take it's toll for the Panthers. It will be interesting to see how Bloomsburg would stop Steel-High if that game does come about in Week 15.