Selinsgrove makes the big plays to defeat Jersey Shore to win the District IV, 4 A Title

By Doug Byerly

SELINSGROVE, PA-The Jersey Shore Bulldogs made the trip down Rt. 11/15 to Selinsgrove for another District IV 4 A final vs the Seals.  In what has been an anticipated second match up this year, following a 21-21 tie in the week #3, the two teams came in with identical records at 10-0-1.

‘Shore has won the last six District titles and have defeated the Seals seven straight times overall.

The passing game led the way early in this ballgame and it was all from the Selinsgrove side.

Selinsgrove scored at 3:34 of the first quarter on a Pastore to Gavin Bastian 40 yard pass to the left side (Cater PAT); Seals led 7-0

The Seals struck again at the 1:15 mark again on a Pastore to Bastian 31 yard strike (Carter PAT); Selinsgrove led 14 -0.

‘Shore responded with a nice drive highlighted by a catch by Ashton Sweeley and then a catch and run by Dathan Tyson to the 4 yard line,  Tate Sechrist ran it in with 7:37 to go in the second quarter (Herr PAT).  The lead lessened to 14-7.

Selinsgrove came right back with Teats leading the way on the ground  and the Seals responded with an impressive drive aided by a personal foul penalty.  Pastore finished off the drive with a 1 yard QB sneak (6:15) (PAT missed).  Seals extended the lead to 20-7.

With 48 seconds to go in the half, Bastian made an outstanding catch to take the ball away from the defender to add his 3rd score of the game (Carter PAT); Selinsgrove added to its lead to make the score 27-7 at the half.

In the first half alone, the difference in the ballgame was the success of Seals QB Pastore to Gavin Bastian .  The pair was really unstoppable with 3 long scoring passes of 40, 31 and 39 yards to break open the game early.

In the second half Selinsgrove added to its lead with a 39 yard field goal at the 8:22 mark of the 3rd quarter.  The Seals extended  the lead to 30-7.

‘Shore came back on a Loomis to Samar pass play to the 1 yard line. Sechrist took it in on the next play (missed PAT)5 at :46 third Seals still led 30-13.

Selinsgrove answered immediately with a Tucker Teats sprint of 87 yards on the first play of the drive. A Carter PAT extended the lead to 37-13.

The Bulldogs were not done yet and another drive started with a great Tate Sechrist kickoff return to the Seals 45.  Loomis capped it off with a tremendous throw 32 yards to Dathan Tyson (rush PAT not successful); score moved 37-19.

Selinsgrove responded with an outstanding drive capped off with a 6 yard Pastore to Andrew Sassaman pass (Carter PAT), the Seals extended its lead to 44-19.

The teams traded a few more drives with no more scoring and the final score stayed at 44-19.

Selinsgrove wins the District IV led by Tucker Teats with 282 yards in the rushing game vs the ‘Shore defense.

The Seals advance to the state playoffs at 11-0-1 and the Jersey Shore season ends at 10-1-1.