Shamokin pulls away in win at Nanticoke

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John Kotsko | October 21, 2023

With the game tied at 14, Shamokin needed big plays. The Indians got a fumble recovery on the opening drive in the second half. Followed by a big third down catch by Chase Pensyl that ended in a three yard touchdown run by freshman Logan Steele to give Shamokin their first lead of the game and kept the lead. Jayce Ginck scored two rushing touchdowns as Shamokin took a 28-14 victory on the road at Nanticoke. “We did a fantastic job defensively in the second half.” said Shamokin head coach Marc Persing. “We didn’t give up too many rushing yards. Our defensive coordinator made a fantastic adjustment and we took care of business in the second half.”

After the Trojan defense forced a three and out to start the game. Nanticoke drove down the field, ending with a 13 yard touchdown run by Zack Fox to make it 8-0 with a two point conversion from Ryan Wiaterowski with 6:14 remaining in the first quarter. The Indians ended up driving down to the 29 yard line but the Trojans defense held up and forced a punt after losses of 1 on first and second down then a false start and an incompletion on third down.

Nanticoke got the ball at their own five yard line. They had a third and 3 at their own 12, they fumbled and the Indians recovered. At the start of the second quarter, Shamokin faced a third and four at the Trojan six yard line and Brad Latshaw found Pensyl for a six yard score and the PAT cut the Nanticoke lead to 8-7 with 11:09 remaining in the second quarter.

Nanticoke started at their own 35 yard line. Fox got 11 yards on the first play and Wiaterowski got six yards to get the Trojans into Indian territory. Nanticoke faced a third and 5 at the 34 yard line and Fox gained 17 yards to the Shamokin 17 yard line. After a Wiaterowski five yard run then a facemask penalty to make it first and goal at the seven yard. On a third and goal at the four yard line, Wiaterowski bowled in from four yards out to make it 14-7 Trojans with 6:11 remaining in the second quarter. First play of the next drive for the Indians, Jayce Ginck ran all the way from 72 yards out to tie the game up at 14 with 5:57 in the first half. Each team got two possessions and were unable to score as we hit halftime.

Nanticoke got the ball to start the second half. On a third and 7, Fox gained seven yards. Then on a third and 3, Fox gained 5. However, on the next play, Shamokin recovered a fumble at the Nanticoke 42 yard line. The Indians faced a third and 18, it looked like the Trojans got the stop but a facemask penalty kept the Shamokin offense on the field. A false start made it third and 12. Steele found Pensyl on the right sideline who made a 33 yard catch. Facing a third and 4, Za’kem Clinton gained five yards for a first and goal at the nine yard line. On a third and goal, Steele scored from three yards out to make it 21-14 Shamokin with 1:39 remaining in the third quarter.

Nanticoke got the ball with good field position at their own 46 yard line. However, they faced a fourth and three as they headed to the fourth. The Trojans elected to punt. On a second and 6, Ginck ran for 52 yards to the Nanticoke 22 yard line. Three plays later, Ginck scored his second touchdown of the game with a six yard score to make it 28-14 Indians with 8:46 remaining in the game. The Trojans looked to make a comeback, on a fourth and 3 at their own 39 yard line Fox gained nine yards. After a personal foul penalty, Nanticoke got the ball at the Shamokin 38 yard line. They faced a fourth and 8 at the Indians 36 yard line. Shamokin got the stop and took over. The Indians cruised the rest of the way to a 28-14 victory over Nanticoke. Nanticoke will play Hanover Area in their regular season finale. Shamokin will play Mount Carmel in their regular season finale. The Indians are going to be playing in the Eastern Conference Championship in two weeks. “We’re starting a bunch of freshmen, sophomore and juniors. Some of the juniors, it’s their first time playing football. Districts just wasn’t for us this year, we weren’t ready for the likes of Selingrove and Jersey Shore this year. The future is looking bright at Shamokin.” Persing said.

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