Jersey Shore Falls to Shamokin in Overtime
By Doug Byerly
COAL TOWNSHIP-In the District IV, 4 A final tonight at Kemp Memorial Stadium in Shamokin, the Bulldogs of Jersey Shore traveled to take on the undefeated Indians of Shamokin Area.
In the first matchup between the teams in week #4 of this season, Shamokin came from behind to snap ‘Shore’s 42 game unbeaten regular season streak by the score of 30 to 28.
Shamokin took an early lead with its big play offense on a 75 yard scoring strike from Sophomore QB Logan Steele who found a wide open Ben Delbaugh for the initial score of the game. On the play the defender for ‘Shore stumbled to allow the Indians receiver to break open and sprint into the end zone for the score at the 6:01 mark of the first quarter. Pensyl added the PAT to make the score, Shamokin 7-0.
Jersey Shore got right back into the game with a solid offensive drive that eventually stalled and put the team into a 4th and 9 situation. On the play, Jordan scrambled and found Evan Snyder free in the end zone. Snyder made a great diving catch with 3:09 remaining in the quarter to tie the score (Hale PAT) at 7-7.
In the second quarter, ‘Shore put together a solid drive, mostly on the ground including a 4th and 3 conversion on a run by Bo Sechrist. Sechrist capped off the drive with a punishing run of 15 yards to give the Bulldogs the lead (Hale PAT) at 14-7.(8:07 2nd quarter).
Late in the second quarter, Shamokin got an interception and return to the ‘Shore 21. The Bulldog defense held to force a 36 yard field goal by Pensyl. The kick was short and the score remained 14-7 with ‘Shore in the lead at the half.
In the third quarter, both teams struggled to put together consistent offensive drives. Jersey Shore hurt themselves with penalties, including on four consecutive plays on one drive.
Shamokin finally got a big play on a Logan Steele to Chase Pensyl pass play. For the second time tonight, the Bulldog defender fell down and Pensyl danced into the end zone after 45 yards for the score (2:45 third); the Pensyl PAT tied the game at 14-14.
Jersey Shore continued to use its running game to drive into Indian territory. Junior running back Bo Sechrist broke free on a great run making two super cuts on the run to rumble into the end zone on a 40 yard scamper. At the 10:50 mark of the 4th quarter to give ‘Shore the lead at 21-14 (Hale PAT).
Shamokin was able to tie the game late at the 2:30 mark of the final stanza. QB Logan Steele scrambled and found Ben Delbauth on a 56 yard pass play (2:30, 4th). The Pensyl PAT tied the score at 21-21
The Bulldogs made a great drive to put themselves in a place to win the game driving to the Shamokin 4 yard line with only 6.4 seconds remaining in the game. ‘Shore opted for a 24 yard field goal attempt which went just wide left to force overtime.
In overtime, Shamokin got the ball first and wasted no time taking the lead. On first down, Logan Steele lofted a great pass to Delbaugh in the back of the end zone for the score. The Pensyl PAT made the score 28-21.
‘Shore matched the score on a 4th and 5, finding Evan Snyder for the potential tying touchdown. The TD made the score 28-27 with the potential tieing PAT yet to come.
After trading time outs, a PAT pass was knocked incomplete after what appeared to be an obvious offsides against the Shamokin defense that was not called. With the incompletion, Shamokin won by the single point 28-27.
With the win, Shamokin will advance into the state playoffs vs the winner of the Bellefonte vs. Juniata game to be played on Saturday.
The Jersey Shore season came to a close with an 8-4 record with a loss in the District finals for the second consecutive season.
