Shamokin Football 1997 Season

PA Football News lists Shamokin 5-6 in 1997 with Sam Schicchitano as head coach.

EasternPAFootball's Division III championship list has Bangor 19, Shamokin 0. PennLive names Bangor the 1997 Class AAA Eastern Conference champion. That score does not name a Shamokin player.

The Times Leader's Sept. 28, 1997 story, by Doug Pape, is Saturday at Men of Marian Stadium in Hometown: Marian Catholic 34, Shamokin 14. Marian had a big first half and held off a late Shamokin rally. Brent Andrew threw four first-half touchdowns and scored on a 17-yard run in the fourth. He was 16 of 22 for 175 yards. Scott Holloman caught touchdown passes from 17, 7, and 19 yards. Erik Balascik caught one from 15. The last of those passes came with 4.8 seconds left in the half, and Marian led 28-0. Shamokin had 45 yards of total offense in the first half. Stan Dick was the Marian coach.

Varano scored from 3 yards in the third quarter, and Griffiths ran for the conversion. Griffiths scored from 4 yards in the fourth, and the kick failed. Andrew's 17-yard run capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive, and that kick failed. The line is Shamokin 0, 0, 8, 6 and Marian Catholic 7, 21, 0, 6.

Shamokin had 7 first downs, 27 rushes for 64 yards, and 91 passing yards on 6 of 17 with no interception. Marian had 22 first downs, 43 rushes for 220 yards, and 175 passing yards on 16 of 22. Varano ran 18 times for 58 yards. Griffiths ran 7 times for 1 yard and was 6 of 17 for 91. Spears caught 4 passes for 60 yards, and Varano caught 1 for 21. Balliet ran 17 times for 79, Varner 5 for 36, and Andrew 3 for 31. Holloman caught 6 passes for 79 yards, Varner 1 for 24, and Balascik 1 for 15. Shamokin was not credited with a sack. Marian had 3 for 26 yards. Shamokin lost none of one fumble. Marian lost both of two. Penalties were Shamokin 3 for 20 yards, and Marian was not charged with one. The photo caption names Shamokin's Michael Palko.