Season of the Witch

Did anyone find this funny??????

"I gotta be you"

General Assembly Approves Bill for State Funding of Marcellus Infrastructure

The PA State House approve HB2291 yesterday by a 128-68 count. It was an act providing for capital expenditures for 2010-2011.

Marcellus-related projects added to the projects bill by the Senate include:

- Carbondale Railyard Transload Facility, $5.4 million. The new railyard is being developed by Honesdale-based Linde Corp. to serve the natural gas industry.

- New rail facility to support shipping of products related to natural gas industry, Northumberland County $5 million.
- Five plants in Clearfield and Elk counties to treat and recycle hydrofracturing wastewater from Marcellus Shale drillers. Each requests state aid in the $4 million to $6 million range.

- Marcellus Shale industrial building at former brownfield site, Clearfield County, $1.2 million.

- Marcellus Shale enterprise center, Clearfield County, $10 million.

- Marcellus Shale learning resource center, Westmoreland County, $2 million.

- Delaware & Hudson Railway, build transload facilities and rehabilitate rail lines on this old anthracite region railroad from the New York State line to Sunbury to accommodate "new commodities and developing markets," $31 million. The railroad extends through Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Luzerne counties where natural gas drilling and exploration is occurring.

The original story ran in the Time-Tribune by Robert Swift.

Page 353 of the PDF file contains the following.

-5 million to rehab the old Fleetwood Motorhome plant in Ralpho Township. (Is something moving in?)

- 1 million for a regional recreation in Coal Township. (Purchase of the Ames Building?)

- 3.6 million for the propose OHV Park in southern Northumberland County.

Nearly 99% of the projects would be funded with the sale of bonds, 12.5 out of 12.6 billion dollars including all of the above.



While the debate goes on to add a severance tax to the Marcellus industry, we get to foot the bill for the extra's.

Lewsiburg on top of the Fab Five

The Lewisburg Green Dragons ascended into the number one spot in the Heartland Conference Fab Five poll.  Lewisburg defeated Southern Columbia on Friday 28-21 to remain unbeaten at 5-0. Lewisburg has not defeated Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel on the road this season.

In the state championship era, looking through some records, I believe the 2000 Selinsgrove Seals were able to defeat both Southern and Mount Carmel in the same season.  The seals win against Southern did come at home. 

Danville moves up to the #2 spot while Southern drops to #3.  All of this will take care of itself on the field as Southern host Bloomsburg this week and will take on Danville later in the season.  The District IV 'AA" playoffs will sort out the rest.

Dave Shinskie and the BC Eagles

A little over a week ago, I was looking foward to seeing Dave Shinskie play against Notre Dame at home. Hell, I was considering taking the trip to Chestnut Hill or Syracuse later in the year.  Now a few days later, I have to wonder if Shinskie has taken his last snap at BC.

The Bleacher Report wrote this after the VA Tech game.

While the Globe has BC's season looking bleak.

On Saturday, the best place for Shinskie was on the sideline.  The offensive line was as bad as the Philadelphia Eagles and the play calling was a joke.  Anyone notice how much the Irish respected the BC quarterbacks when BC ran the spread?  Coming into the game, ND was 97th against the rush. With scheme insterted BC managed to net 5 yards and Montel Harris had 28 yards on the ground.

Chase Rettig wasn't all that impressive at the start. His TD pass came when an ND defender went for a junior move.

Right now, Rettig is wearing a boot, Marscovetra was ineffective and Shinskie waits and watches.

A veteran offensive line is playing bad, there are no go receivers, and coaches are throwing darts at questions hoping for answers.

Shinskie answers questions after VA Tech.  Strange irony my friend from Villanova, Trags posted the video

In the End, Things Go Right for the Shamokin Indians

Last night Shamokin could have piled up 500 yards of offense and lost the football game.  It was the 502nd yard that mattered most as Jared Montgomery hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass with 56 seconds left in the game. The Indains drew the play up in the huddle and never practiced it. It also came on a 4th-and-9.

It was Shamokin Area's only lead of the night and the only time it mattered.  The Indian trailed by as much as 14 and by 12 with less than 5 minutes to go.

The Shamokin secondary was torched for over 300 yards and 4 TD passes by Tyler Bogaczyk. 

In my preview, I was worred about Loyalsock's ability to pass would open things up for Mike Kinney who came into the game averaging 124 yards.  It was the Indians front seven who held Loyalsock to under 2 yards a rush and Kinney to just 36 yards on 17 carries including stoning him on a third-and-two late in the game.

With games left against Milton and Montoursville where the Indians should be a favorite, plus a toss-up game with Shikellamy, Shamokin Area could be looking at the first winning season and playoff appearance since 2004.  

The road now is a little tough for Loyalsock.  They will be underdogs in 3 out of their last 5 games as the Lancer dropped to 2-3 on the season.

Ready for the 80's in Shamokin Tonight

Tonight's Shamokin Indian game with Loyalsock presents two teams at the crossroads of their respective seasons.  Both started out with 2 wins and both have given up over 80 points in their last two games resulting in losses. In a 46-38 loss to Shikellamy, the Braves did not complete a pass in defeating the Lancers.

Although there were some good things to see in Shamokin's loss to Southern two weeks ago, the Indian's effort stayed at the Susquehanna Valley Mall or somewhere in between.  The Indians pass defense was torched by Selinsgrove for a 31-0 lead at the half in cruising to a 38-7 victory.

Both teams tonight will try to feature their running games.  Mike Kinney averages over 7 yards a carry and close to 125 yards a game for Loyalock and is big, physical downhill runner.  Shamokin's offense was offensive last week with less than 80 yards.  The Indians scored their only touchdown on a fumble recovery long after the game was decided.

What will be the tipping point?  The Lancer with all their defensive woes, have completed 44 passes on the season for over 700 yards.  When was Shamokin's last interception by a defensive back? 

Unless the Indians find a way to stop the pass, Kinney could have a big day.  This won will be won or loss by Shamokin's defense tonight.