Around District 11: The Travels of Guy & Pam Week Fifteen: Another New Stadium Visited

Tagged under: District 11, District 4, News, Playoffs

Billy Splain | December 6, 2022

Around District 11: The Travels of Guy & Pam

Week Fifteen:  Another New Stadium Visited

2022.17.  Only one game for us this week.  Our Friday choice was affected by Saturday plans.  We narrowed it down to two: Allentown Central Catholic vs. Aliquippa at Bald Eagle, or Trinity vs. Southern Columbia at Selinsgrove.  We really straddled the fence, listing pros and cons of each and debating them several times.  If choosing ACC, it meant supporting the last D11 team standing in Week 15.  But Bald Eagle was further from home than Selinsgrove, we had just been there the week before, we had to get up at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, and honestly, we didn’t think ACC was going to be able to hang with the Quips.  So we chose Selinsgrove, a school we had never been to before, closer to home, and where we could meet a friend that Pam had worked with for many years.

Saturday was the New York State Indoor Go Kart Championships at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.  We really wanted to go to Delaware Valley University for their NCAA D3 playoff game against Mount Union, but Guy was covering the race for Area Auto Racing News.  Guy graduated from Bloomsburg with his second degree in December 1986.  That was the last month he had not been to a race, so it was important to get a December race and complete that 36^th consecutive year (432 months).  In the end it was all-good, as it was raining at Del Val and they lost to Mount Union in a game that wasn’t really that close.

Sunday afternoon we had the White Coat Ceremony for the Bloomsburg University SLP grads in Danville, then switched PSAC schools and headed to Spring Mountain Resort in the evening for the Delaware Valley College Hockey Conference “Winter Classic” outdoor game between the Kutztown University D2 team and Penn State for rink #168 and the fifteenth different K. U. team we have seen play this semester.

GAME 52.  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2022.  TRINITY SHAMROCKS VS. SOUTHERN COLUMBIA TIGERS @ SELINSGROVE AREA HIGH SCHOOL.

This was our first trip to Selinsgrove Area high school.  This year, we made it to six first visits to fields outside of District 11.  So far.  Those were Bishop McDevitt for the Big 33 game, Fleetwood during the regular season, Dunmore for playoffs, Bald Eagle for playoffs, Steelton-Highspire for playoffs, and Selinsgrove for playoffs.  Still to come is Cumberland Valley for the state finals.

We always have enjoyed watching Southern Columbia play, although we have never been to their home school for a game, nor have ever seen them play during the regular season.  We’ve only seen them in the playoffs, mostly wins but a couple of losses.

We became bigger supporters for this school last season when Southern Columbia traveled to Lehighton to play our D11 Northern Lehigh Bulldogs in the state semi final.  Guy happened to be walking to the refreshment stand at halftime when the Tigers were returning to the locker room.  He was shocked to hear grown men screaming at the players that they were recruiters and cheaters, their only evidence being that their team was getting their collective asses soundly kicked.  Even if any of that were true, which apparently it is not since the PIAA’s attempt to force them to play larger schools than their rightful classification ended in failure (for now), the kids would not have been responsible.  It is disturbing and saddening that this is what those kids have to put up with, their “crime” being growing up in a supportive town, parents who taught them a great work ethic, great coaches, and being proud to be a part of the most successful program in the state.  And kudos to the Southern kids for exhibiting the discipline to the crap hurled at them.  So much for the PIAA statement on sportsmanship read before each playoff game.

Southern lost three games during the regular season.  They lost their best defensive player for the year on the first play of the season.  One of their top two running backs missed a number of games with an elbow injury.  At one point they were 3-2, at another 5-3 with losses to Loyalsock, Danville, and Mount Carmel.

But there is an old saying about not poking a sleeping bear.  Well, that applies to Tigers as well.  Since their loss to Mount Carmel, they have won seven straight games, and scored no fewer than 42 points in any of those seven, including a 48-18 thumping of then undefeated Mount Carmel in the playoff rematch, where it counted the most.

Although we like Southern because we think they get unfairly criticized by a society that values parity above success, and would rather punish by rule than put in the hard work needed to achieve success on their own, we like to root for the underdog too.  Trinity is known more for basketball than football.  And their success this year was one of the feel-good stories of the season.  It’s boring seeing the same schools in the final four every year, so we also championed the Shamrocks’ great run.

One thing that makes the story more interesting is that they have a Super Bowl champion as their head coach.  Jordan Hill won PIAA states as a player at Steelton-Highspire, was first-team all Big 10 at Penn State, was drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks, and won a Super Bowl ring with the team.

Although the Shamrocks don’t have the pedigree of Southern Columbia, their seasons were similar.  They too, suffered three early losses, back to back to back in fact.  They actually had a fourth loss, a one-score game vs. Steelton-Highspire.  Then they went on a nice run through the playoffs, advancing to the state semi-final.  They put over 50 on the scoreboard in each of their first two playoff games, pitched a shutout in the third, then eliminated our D11 EEACS team in the fourth.

The food at Selinsgrove looked fantastic, but on this night there was only one serving line and it was quite long all night long.  We decided to stay hungry, watch the game, and stop at Sheetz on the way home rather than miss nearly a full quarter waiting in line.  Many times, schools only have a small portion of their refreshment stands open during the playoffs as compared to their own school’s home games.

Having not seen either of the two teams in person this season, we thought Southern to be the favorite, and indeed they were slotted one spot higher in the “PA Football News” rankings this week.  But we certainly did not anticipate the total domination by Southern Columbia on both sides of the ball.  They were unstoppable on the run, moving up and down the field almost at will.  On defense, it seemed Trinity had more three and outs than anything else until the starters were pulled after the game had been long decided.

If not for a fumble at the goal line, Southern would have been in Mercy Rule position by halftime.  Still, they opened a 42-0 lead before pulling the starters early in the fourth.

Before the game we thought Southern could win, but would have a tough row to hoe against undefeated and state number one Westinghouse at the state final.  Now?  Not so sure.  They can definitely win it all.  However, there are three things that could lead to their downfall.  One. They don’t seem to have much of an effective passing game, so if Westinghouse can figure out how to stop the run that could mean trouble as one-dimensional teams can often be beat.  Two.  They did seem to have more penalties, especially holding, than a team still playing in week 15 should have.  Must clean that up.  Three.  They have to avoid the big mistakes, like the fumble at the goal line and the muffed punt.  Those became non-issues, but could be big issues in a close game.  Also, we didn’t really get much of a chance to evaluate their pass defense, which will likely be better tested by Westinghouse.

Westinghouse is one of only two undefeated teams left in the entire state.  They have given three teams their only loss of the season: State finalist Steelton-Highspire in the regular season, Berlin-Brothersvalley in the playoffs, and Steel Valley in the playoffs.  The most impressive thing is that none of those three games were all that close.  Southern Columbia is the five-time defending champion, and in the final for the eighth straight year.  But they have shown they can be beaten.  Thrice.  Should be a good one next Friday.  Maybe epic.  Can’t wait.

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS

After Pam and I went to see Nebraska @ Rutgers this fall, we did a bit of research to see how many college football teams there were in New Jersey and came up with a dozen, and included the listing in that week’s blog.  We received a question asking us how many college football teams there are in Pennsylvania, which we held off answering until we had a single-game weekend. The answer can vary, as some would include Junior College, Sprint Football, Junior Varsity, and Prep Schools, others would not.  We decided to include the two former, but not the two latter and came up with a total of 62.

(3) NCAA D1 FBS (1A)

Penn State Nittany Lions, State College (Big 10); Pittsburgh Panthers, Pittsburgh (ACC); Temple Owls, Philadelphia (American)

(8) NCAA D1 FCS (1AA)

Bucknell Bison, Lewisburg (Patriot); Duquesne Dukes, Pittsburgh (Atlantic 10); Lafayette Leopards, Easton (Patriot); Lehigh Mountain Hawks, Bethlehem (Patriot); Penn Quakers, Philadelphia (Ivy); Robert Morris Colonials, Moon Township (Horizon);

Saint Francis Red Flash, Loretto (Northeast); Villanova Wildcats, Villanova (Big East)

(16) NCAA D2

Bloomsburg Huskies, Bloomsburg (PSAC); California Vulcans, California (PSAC); Clarion Golden Eagles, Clarion (PSAC); East Stroudsburg Warriors, East Stroudsburg (PSAC); Edinboro Fighting Scots, Edinboro (PSAC); Gannon Golden Knights, Erie (PSAC); IUP Crimson Hawks, Indiana (PSAC); Kutztown Golden Bears (PSAC); Lincoln Lions, Chester County (CIAA); Lock Haven Bald Eagles, Lock Haven (PSAC); Mercyhurst Lakers, Erie (PSAC); Millersville Marauders, Millersville (PSAC); Seton Hill Griffins, Greensburg (PSAC); Shippensburg Raiders, Shippensburg (PSAC); Slippery Rock The Rock, Slippery Rock (PSAC); West Chester Golden Rams, West Chester (PSAC)

(28) NCAA D3

Albright Lions, Reading (Commonwealth); Allegheny Gators, Meadville (Presidents); Alvernia Golden Wolves, Reading (Commonwealth); Carnegie Mellon Tartans, Pittsburgh (UAA); Delaware Valley Aggies, Doylestown (Freedom); Dickinson Red Devils, Carlisle (Commonwealth); Eastern Eagles, Saint David’s (Commonwealth); Franklin & Marshall Diplomats, Lancaster (Centennial); Geneva Golden Tornadoes, Beaver Falls (Presidents); Gettysburg Bulldogs, Gettysburg (Centennial); Grove City Wolverines, Grove City (Presidents); Juniata Eagles, Huntington (Landmark); Keystone Giants, La Plume Township (Colonial); Kings Monarchs, Wilkes Barre (Freedom); Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen, Annville (Commonwealth); Lycoming Warriors, Williamsport (Freedom); Misericordia Cougars, Dallas (Freedom); Moravian Greyhounds, Bethlehem (Landmark); Muhlenburg Mules, Allentown (Centennial); Saint Vincent Bearcats, Latrobe (Presidents); Susquehanna River Hawks, Selinsgrove (Landmark); Thiel Tomcats, Greenville (Presidents); Ursinus Bears, Collegeville (Centennial); Washington & Jefferson Presidents, Washington (Presidents); Waynesburg Yellow Jackets, Waynesburg (Presidents); Westminster Titans, New Wilmington (Presidents); Widener Pride, Chester (Commonwealth); Wilkes Colonels, Wilkes Barre (Freedom)

(4) NJCAA

Butler County Community College Grizzlies, Butler; Lackawanna College Falcons, Scranton; Thaddeus Stevens College of Tech Bulldogs, Lancaster; Williamson College of the Trades Mechanics, Media

(3) SPRINT FOOTBALL

Chestnut Hill College Griffins, Philadelphia (CSFL); Mansfield Mounties, Mansfield (CSFL); Penn Quakers, Philadelphia (CSFL)

JUNIOR VARSITY

Some schools do play college JV games.  We didn’t research that as it was decided to not list JV teams from the same schools separate from varsity.  Examples of PA colleges with JV teams include Delaware Valley University, Alvernia, and Misericordia.

UNDEFEATED IN PENNSYLVANIA (2)

Going in to Week 15, there were 7 undefeated teams left in the state.  Amazingly, five of those teams lost, thus only two remain.  They are: Aliquippa (4A) and Westinghouse (2A).

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GUY & PAM’S 2022 FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD (2021-2023)

CURRENT OVERALL TOTAL: 65 OF 85

PIAA District 11

–Varsity or JV Home Game in 2021/2022 with Varsity All-Time (47 of 47)

–Active Alternative JV Game Sites (4 of 7)

–Special Events/Related Stadiums (1 of 2)

–Outside Teams that Played in D11 as Sub Regional Teams (0 of 6)

–All Star Games with D11 Players Participating (6 of 6)

NCAA

–D2 PSAC 16 Schools + One Related School (6 of 17)

Varsity or JV Home Game in 2021/2022 with Varsity All-Time (47 of 47)

1. Allentown Central Catholic Vikings (2021), 2. Bangor Slaters (2021), 3. Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks (2021), 4. Blue Mountain Eagles (2021), 5. Catasauqua Rough Riders (2021), 6. Dieruff Huskies (2021), 7. Easton Red Rovers—Cottingham Stadium (2022), 8. East Stroudsburg North Timberwolves (2021), 9. East Stroudsburg South Cavaliers (2022), 10. Emmaus Hornets (2021), 11. Executive Education Raptors (2021), 12. Freedom Patriots (2021), 13. Jim Thorpe Olympians (2022), 14. Lehighton Indians (2021), 15. Liberty Hurricanes (2021), 16. Mahanoy Area Golden Bears (2021), 17. Marian Catholic Colts (2021), 18. Minersville Battlin’ Miners (2021), 19. Nativity BVM Green Wave (2021), 20. Nazareth Blue Eagles (2021), 21. Northern Lehigh Bulldogs (2021), 22. Northampton Konkrete Kids (2021), 23. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (2021), 24. North Schuylkill Spartans (2022), 25. Notre Dame Green Pond Crusaders (2021), 26. Palisades Pirates (2022), 27. Palmerton Blue Bombers (2021), 28. Panther Valley Panthers (2021), 29. Parkland Trojans (2021), 30. Pen Argyl Green Knights (2021), 31. Pine Grove Cardinals (2021), 32. Pleasant Valley Bears (2021), 33. Pocono Mountain East Cardinals (2022), 34. Pocono Mountain West Panthers (2021), 35. Pottsville Crimson Tide (2022), 36. Salisbury Township Falcons (2021), 37. Saucon Valley Panthers (2021), 38. Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes (2022), 39. Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils (2021), 40. Southern Lehigh Spartans (2021), 41. Stroudsburg Mounties (2021), 42. Tamaqua Blue Raiders (2021), 43. Tri-Valley Bulldogs (2022), 44. Whitehall Zephers (2021), 45. William Allen Canaries (2022), 46. Williams Valley Vikings (2021), 47. Wilson Area Warriors (2021)

Active Alternative JV Game Sites (4 of 7)

48. ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS JV—PERCY RHUE PARK, 49. Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks JV–High School (2022), 50. BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLES JV–EAST FIELD, 51. Freedom Patriots JV—FHS Turf Field (2022), 52. Lehighton Indians JV–Old Football Stadium (2022), 53. Nativity BVM Green Wave JV—High School (2022), 54. POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST PANTHERS JV—OLD STADIUM

Special Event or Related Stadiums (1 of 2)

55. Easton Red Rovers—Lafayette College Thanksgiving Day Game (2021), 56. PHILLIPSBURG STATELINERS (FORMER EPC SCHOOL)

Teams that Played in D11 as Sub Regional Teams (0 of 6)

57. 2021 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY LIONS (D1-3A), 58. 2021 ABINGTON HEIGHTS COMETS (D2-5A), 59. 2021 WYOMING VALLEY WEST SPARTANS (D2-5A), 60. 2022 HAZLETON COUGARS (D2-6A), 61. 2022 WILKES BARRE WOLFPACK (D2-6A), 62. 2022 WILLIAMSPORT MILLIONAIRES (D4-6A)

All Star Games with D11 Players Participating (6 of 6)

63. Colonial vs. Schuylkill League All-Star Game (2022 @ Schuylkill Haven)
64. Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic (2022 @ Nazareth)
65. PSFCA East vs. West Small School All Star Game (2022 @ Bishop McDevitt)
66. PSFCA East vs. West Big School All Star Game (2022 @ Bishop McDevitt)
67. PSFCA Pennsylvania vs. Maryland Big 33 Game (2022 @ Bishop McDevitt)
68. Schuylkill League All-Star Game (2021 @ Schuylkill Haven)

–NCAA D2 PSAC 16 Schools + One Related School (7 of 17)

69. Bloomsburg Huskies (2022), 70. CALIFORNIA VULCANS, 71. Clarion Golden Eagles (2022), 72. East Stroudsburg Warriors (2022), 73. Edinboro Fighting Scots (2022), 74. GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS, 75. INDIANA CRIMSON HAWKS, 76. Kutztown Golden Bears (2022), 77. LOCK HAVEN BALD EAGLES, 78. MERCYHURST LAKERS, 79. Millersville Marauders (2022), 80. SETON HILL GRIFFINS, 81. SHEPHERD RAMS (WV), 82. SHIPPENSBURG RAIDERS, 83. SLIPPERY ROCK THE ROCK, 84. WEST CHESTER GOLDEN RAMS, 85. Mansfield Mountaineers

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