HS FOOTBALL: Bears keep Devils from playing playoff spoiler in trophy battle
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah Valley's Jonnuel Reyes is brought out-of-bounds by a host Golden Bears.
MAHANOY CITY – For a series record 12th straight year, the Damato-Szematowicz Trophy is staying in Mahanoy City.
Friday’s game marked the 116th meeting between Shenandoah Valley and Mahanoy Area in one of the most storied rivalries in eastern Pennsylvania high school football.
Shenandoah looked to avoid their first winless season since 2019 and 5th since 1918 while both playing playoff spoiler for the Golden Bears and, of course, bringing the trophy back to Shenandoah.
“They had nothing to lose tonight,” Mahanoy Area Head Coach Dave Holman told the Sentinel postgame. “Luckily, we’re standing here with the win.
The Golden Bears mauled the Blue Devils 42-13 in a game that was much closer than the final score implies, at least for the first half.
“I felt like we were dominating the game but we weren’t pulling away from them at all,” Holman said. “We were letting them hang out which is not something you want to do in a game like this.”
The game was 14-0 after one quarter thanks to a pair of scores by Kyler Quick. A short scamper in the red zone on the Bears’ first possession put Mahanoy up 6-0.
Shenandoah had the opportunity to answer, marching to their own 40 before punting. Quick broke out for 84 yards on the very next play.
The Devils marched into Bear territory again, turning over on downs at the 40.
A handoff from Levi Terry to Quick was fumbled on the next possession, giving the ball back to the Devils, with another turnover on downs.
Terry then found Aidan Bowman in the endzone to go up by three scores.
Freshman quarterback Ethan Bench threw an interception, picked off by Terry. Before the Bears could capitalize, Mahanoy fumbled and gave the ball back to Shenandoah. Mikey Elchisak broke off a big run into Mahanoy territory with 10 seconds remaining in the second half. Inside the Mahanoy 30, Sam Mentusky attempted a field goal to no avail.
In the third quarter, the Devils defense came up with a big stop, forcing a turnover on downs. That drive ended in an interception by Shenandoah senior quarterback Tristian Karosas to Damian Contreras.
A goal line stop put Shenandoah back on offense on their own two. A rush was stuffed in the endzone for a safety, making it 23-0 Bears.
Quick added his third touchdown on the ensuing drive making it 30-0.
A bad pitch picked up by Quick was returned 45 yards for a defensive touchdown, his fourth overall of the game.
The Devils’ Joel Nunez ran back the ensuing kickoff to put Shenandoah Valley on the board.
Mahanoy Area’s Brian Gallagher added the final score for the Bears with a 28 yard rush.
A Bench pass to senior Jeremy Thomas capped off scoring for Shenandoah with an extra point by Mentusky.
The Bears hoisted the Damato-Szematowicz Trophy for the 12th straight year with the 42-13 victory.
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Mahanoy Area celebrates with the Damato-Szematowicz Trophy. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – James Rhoades Jr. presents Shenandoah’s MVP, Brayden Lutz, with his plaque. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Jack Rhoades presents Mahanoy Area’s MVP, Michael Oblas, with the MVP award. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Michael Oblas and Brayden Lutz. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – From L-R: Jack Rhoads, Michael Oblas, Brayden Lutz, and James Rhoades, Jr.
Postgame, Brayden Lutz was named MVP for the Devils and Michael Oblas for the Bears, presented in memory of the late Senator James J. Rhoades by his son James Rhoades Jr. and grandson Jack.
Friday’s game was the 106th consecutive and 116th overall between the two schools and their immediate predecessors, Shenandoah High and Mahanoy City High.
The win-loss record stands at 59-51-6 in Shenandoah’s favor.
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