by Jake DeLuca
After rattling off two convincing wins and improving to 3-2 on the season, the West Shamokin Wolves varsity football team will host the undefeated 5-0 Ligonier Valley Rams this Friday in what will be their toughest task so far this season.
The Rams have always been one of the dominant teams in the Heritage Conference, and this year is no different. This season Ligonier Valley has allowed just one touchdown - and that was in the final three minutes of week one’s match-up against Marion Center.
This season, the Rams have allowed only 64 yards per game overall, a huge accomplishment. While defensively they have locked teams down, offensively Ligonier Valley is just as good - averaging 420 yards per game and 53 points per game.
The Wolves have put together their best two games offensively the past two games, averaging 41 points per game and 409 yards per game - so both offenses will be firing on all cylinders for this game.
The defense of the Wolves has always been the teams strength along with their running ability. This season is no different, West Shamokin’s defense heads into this game allowing just 14 points per game and 10 per game heading in their last two games.
Wolves Head Coach Jon McCullough says if they want to win, they’ll have to have a great performance all around.
“We have to make them earn everything they get. We have to have a good ball control offense, not turn the ball over, and win special teams. It’s a little cliché, but it really is the truth. Last week we didn’t put ourselves in good field position to start, so that’s something you can’t do against Ligonier Valley – that’s a quick way to get down 28-0 before half,” McCullough said.
The Wolves will look to shock the Heritage Conference this Friday at home when they host the Ligonier Valley Ram. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM at West Shamokin.