Shamokin struck early, on their first drive, when junior quarterback Logan Steele connected with Colin Steinhart for a 42-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. The Indians added to their lead in the second on a 4-yard run by Za' Kem Clinton, jumping ahead 14-0. Pottsville finally responded before halftime when Juleon “JuJu” Bainbridge broke through for a 14-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-7.
Momentum seemed to shift in the third quarter when Bainbridge struck again, powering in from five yards out to even the score at 14-14. However, the tie was short-lived. Steele dashed into the end zone on an 18-yard run to restore Shamokin’s lead, and from that point forward, the Indians never looked back. In the fourth quarter, Ryan Bickert extended the advantage with an 11-yard touchdown run before Steele delivered the dagger — a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed Shamokin’s 34-14 victory.
With the loss, Pottsville falls to 0-1 and will look to regroup quickly before traveling to face Jim Thorpe Area on Friday, August 29. Shamokin, meanwhile, improves to 1-0 and will carry its momentum into its home opener against Lake-Lehman the same night.
Photos by Jocelyn Barrett/Danie Mae Photography
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