Bulldogs Run Over Millionaires, 52-13
By Doug Byerly
JERSEY SHORE-Week #6 of the high school football season unfolded with Jersey Shore hosting the Millionaires of Williamsport for the first time since sometime in the 1970’s.
Williamsport (6A) came into Thompson Street Stadium after dropping its first game of the season last week to Selinsgrove 21-20. In the game, ‘Port led but the Seals rallied from 10 points down to get the road win.
‘Shore rebounded from its first loss of the season two weeks ago and won big over a young Shikellamy Braves team 63-13 on the road in Sunbury. The Bulldogs were led by Evan Snyder who caught 2 touchdown passes from Elijah Jordan and also returned a punt 70 yards for another score.
Shore opened the game on offense and drove the ball mostly on the ground and completed a solid opening drive with an Elijah Jordan 1 yard run at the 8:32 mark of the first quarter. With the Herr PAT the Bulldogs took an early 7-0 lead.
On the next drive, ‘Port fumbled the punt and ‘Shore recovered at the 15 yard line. Brody Herr burst up the middle on the next play and with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter (PAT missed), ‘Shore extended its lead to 13-0.
The Bulldogs put together another solid drive (9 plays) and capped off the series with a 4 yard rush by Brodie Herr (9:17 second). The ‘Shore lead was upped to 20-0.
The Jersey Shore offense was not done and after a 5 play drive, set up by a 75 yard Brody Herr burst up the middle on the first play of the series, Jordan capped it off on a fourth down conversion from the 1 yard line. With 3:58 to go in the half (Herr PAT). Jersey Shore led 27-0.
Williamsport got on the board just before the break on a nice screen pass off play action motion and Kai Payton took the ball and raced 45 yards for the score. With 1:01 remaining in the half, ‘Port cut into the lead making the score 27-7. (Johnson PAT)
The Jersey Shore defense put together a solid series forcing the punt from inside its own end zone and the offense took over at the ‘Port 40 yard line.
On the short field, ‘Shore put together another solid drive and capped it off with a Bo Sechrist 1 yard plunge at 1:32 mark of the third quarter. A PAT pass was missed and the Bulldogs extended the lead to 33-0.
With 42.1 seconds remaining in the third, the Bulldogs took over after a short punt and Jordan went back to the key screen right to Evan Snyder. Great wide receiver blocking sprung Snyder who took the catch and burst 63 yard down the home sideline for the score. The Herr PAT made the score, 40-7.
On the final play of the third, Evan Snyder intercepted an errant pass and raced 35 yards on the return (PAT missed), ‘Shore led heading into the final quarter 46-7.
Williamsport scored after a long kickoff return to open the quarter and a 6 yard Kahyear Whaley (PAT run missed). ‘Port cut into the Bulldog lead to make the score 46-13. (10:55 fourth).
The Bulldogs were not finished with its scoring for the night. Elijah Jordan electrified the home crowd with a 76 yard run to set up a 5 yard TD run by Brody Herr with 9:55 remaining in the game (PAT blocked). The score was extended to the final score of 52-13 on the night.
Brody Herr led the way for ‘Shore with 2 touchdowns and over 200 yards on the ground.
With the loss, Williamsport fell to 4-2 (2-2 PHAC) and will play next week vs Shamokin at the ‘Port.
Jersey Shore improved to 5-1 (3-1 PHAC) and will travel to Hollidaysburg next Friday.