Shamokin Powers Their Way Past Bellefonte Into 4A Quarterfinals

Tagged under: District 4, District 6, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Ed Weaver | November 15, 2025

BELLEFONTE – Early on it looked like as though the PIAA Class 4A opening round game between Shamokin and Bellefonte would be a shootout, however the Shamokin defense clamped down, allowing just 13 points in a 42-13 win over the Raiders Friday night.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage Shamokin’s Za’kem Clinton took the hand off and went straight through the Bellefonte defense all the way down to the 7. He would finish the drive three plays later from two yards out to put the Indians up early.

Bellefonte immediately answered back on their ensuing drive as Alten Howell got loose on a run down the sideline and into Shamokin territory. Ashten Howell later tied the game up on a 17-yard run with 7:46 left in the opening quarter.

From that point on, it was all Shamokin as the District IV champions rolled off 35 unanswered points to enact the mercy rule.

“They caught us out of alignment,” Shamokin head coach Marc Persing said. “Our outside backer was playing an inside shade when he should’ve been head-up to an outside shade, but that’s something we spotted from the film early and made the adjustment and shut that play down the rest of the night.”

And shut it down they did. Following the Raider touchdown Logan Steele connected with Colin Steinhart on a 14-yard pass with 4:15 remaining in the opening frame to break the tie and put the Indians in front for good. Shamokin struck once more in the first half on a six-yard run by Clinton, giving the Indians a 21-7 lead at the half.

Shamokin put the game firmly in their control past the midway point of the third quarter on back-to-back scoring plays from Noah Ringes. His first score came with 4:07 left as he was on the receiving end of a 5-yard pass from Steele. Not even two minutes later he burst up through the middle of the Bellefonte defense en route to an 80-yard score.

Later in the 4th Jayce Ginck found a seam in the Raider defense for a 62-yard score with 5:13 left in the game, pushing Shamokin’s lead to 42-7.

Bellefonte scored on the game’s final play on a “hook & ladder” that ended up in the hands of Logan Rarrick.

“We’re playing the best football we’ve played all year,” continued Persing. “It’s great that it’s this late into the season.”

Clinton led the way for the Indians on the ground, gaining 130 yards to go along with his two TDs on 14 carries while Steele rushed for 104 on 10 totes. Ginck (93) and Ringes (91) were also just shy of going over the century mark.

“We were not satisfied with our physicality last week. Jersey Shore was more physical with us and there’s no other way to spin it. We had a ‘gut check’ moment this week and said that if we want to continue to win it starts up front. For as skilled of players we have, and as good of running backs as we have, if we don’t control up front we can’t get to where we need to be. The kids took that challenge personally and you saw a great effort.”

Shamokin (13-0) now sets their sights on District 11’s Southern Lehigh (12-1), who defeated Bethlehem Catholic 49-28 Thursday evening in next week’s state quarterfinals at a date, time and location to be determined.

“They’ve (Southern Lehigh) had our attention probably too much for the last year,” admitted Persing. “We started getting pumped up for that game and we overlooked Juniata, we didn’t do that this year. We knew that if we wanted to get that match up that they’ve been waiting for we had to take care of business tonight. It was another complete performance in all three phases.”

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