Shamokin takes Central Mountain Homecoming game, 27-14

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – A defensive breakdown here, a turnover there, too many penalties…put them all together and it was too much for Central Mountain to overcome as the Wildcats saw visiting Shamokin pull away for a 27-14 Friday night win, spoiling an otherwise fine Homecoming night at Malinak Stadium.

Wildcat coach Travis Thompson said it was another case of “little plays become big outcomes for the opponents.” He said work will continue through repetition, to “keep coming back and refocus every week.” He said run-wise the Wildcats did well in defending Shamokin’s ground attack which he said featured the biggest line CM would see this season. He termed the game a winnable one, that his squad “had opportunities.”

After a scoreless first period, the Indians struck first, using a 90-yard drive, the score coming on a 71-yard pass play after a defensive breakdown. Shamokin scored its second t-d on a 42-yard drive to make it a 13-0 game. The Wildcats answered back with a 55-yard drive, highlighted by a Thomas Sprague to Connor Foltz 54-yard pass to the 1-yard line. Rocco Serafini followed with a touchdown, the extra point no good, the score 13-6.

Shamokin followed with a 48-yard drive to score another seven points to take a 20-6 halftime lead. The third period was scoreless as the Indians intercepted two Wildcat passes to stop home team drives deep in Shamokin territory.

The Indians picked up their final score in the final minutes on a 57-yard drive to extend their lead to 27-6. Central Mountain put up its final points against Shamokin reserves, Sprague hitting Serafini for a 65-yard score and Serafini going in for a 2-point conversion to put the final at 27-14.

Sprague finished 11-for-23 for 221 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Foltz continued his record-breaking career with six catches for 112 yards, Serafini caught two passes for 79 yards and a touchdown and Ashton Bennett two for 22 yards. Shamokin kept Serafini in check on the ground, holding the Wildcat senior to 39 yards on 19 carries, one touchdown scored. Junior Osten Lindsey paced the Wildcats with 59 yards on four rushes.

Junior Hunter Hoy led the ‘Cat defense with nine tackles, classmate Jake Weaver with seven and freshman Kai Fravel with five.

The Wildcats dropped to 2-3 with the loss, their second in a row. Shamokin improved to 2-3 with the win. Central Mountain travels to Williamsport next Friday to take on the 1-4 Millionaires who lost, 28-3, to Crestwood on Friday.

Halftime Friday saw the annual Homecoming show. Morgan Temple was crowned Homecoming Queen, Nate Akeley the King.

S   0 20 0 7 = 27

CM 0 6 0 8 = 14