‘Shore bops Pottsville, 68-13, in opener
By Doug Byerly
POTTSVILLE, PA – Jersey Shore traveled to Pottsville for the first time ever to open the 2023 season Friday night, the game being played at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium built in 1939. After some early game miscues, the Bulldogs put it all together and secured a very solid road win 68 to 13 over the Crimson Tide.
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and proceeded on a 15 play drive capped off with a Jerrin Loomis to Dathan Tyson pass in the right front corner of the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown to take an early lead (PAT good), 7-0.
Pottsville tied the score after a McFarland interception put the ball deep in Jersey Shore territory with a short 5 yard pass to Christian Alvarez to bring the score to 7 -7 after the PAT.
The second quarter proved to be a breakout stanza for the Jersey Shore defense with 2 fumble returns for touchdowns, first by Bo Sechrist for 15 yards & on the next drive Slate Sechrist did the honors with a 6 yard scoop & score. The defense also added a safety on a tackle in the end zone by Payton Samar.
In the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs drove to the Tide 5 but after a holding penalty erased a touchdown run by Loomis, Pottsville got an interception to turn Jersey Shore away.
Loomis finally got a score with a 9 yard option run in the 3rd quarter & Elijah Jordan added a touchdown from 60 yards along with Tate Sechrist with one from 52 yards.
The Bulldog defense played very solid all night putting consistent pressure on the Crimson Tide. The front 5 along with Max Engle and Tate Sechrist led the way to stymie Pottsville all night long.
Sechrist led the way offensively with 21 carries for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns along with Elijah Jordan carrying for 121 yards and 2 TDs. Loomis finished 14 of 21 for 94 yards through the air and 1 TD.
Week 2 brings Lewisburg to Thompson Street Stadium for a matchup of 1-0 teams. The Green Dragons defeated Shamokin on the road in overtime 16-13.
