Marian edges Shenandoah in defensive dogfight, 9-8
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - Shenandoah Valley QB Joseph 'Junebug' Karvois attempts a pass to WR #4 Alex Donchak, left.
By Kaylee Lindenmuth | [email protected]
RUSH TOWNSHIP – One point was all it took for Marian Catholic to edge Shenandoah Valley for their first win of 2019, and put them in the driver’s seat for the fourth and final seed in the District XI 1A playoff bracket.
Both teams entered the game seeking their first win on the season.
The Colts drew first blood with around nine minutes remaining in the first quarter, when senior quarterback Mason Miller connected with sophomore receiver Luis Teron for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed, as Miller was taken down in the backfield, giving the Colts a 6-0 advantage over the visiting Devils.
Late in the first, Shenandoah Valley would take the lead, as senior quarterback Joseph ‘Junebug’ Karvois connected with senior receiver Alex Donchak for a score. The two-point attempt succeeded, giving the Devils an 8-6 advantage.
The game was shaping up to be a dogfight, and deservedly so. Both teams were essentially playing for a district playoff berth, with the #4 spot in the District XI 1A bracket on the line. Shenandoah Valley hasn’t qualified for the district playoffs since 2012, when they fell to Williams Valley.
However, the final score came at the very beginning of the second quarter, when senior kicker Lucca Stroia made a field goal from about 30 yards out, giving the Colts the 9-8 lead.
The rest of the game would be a defensive battle, ending with the 9-8 final.
With the victory, Marian improves to 1-7 and is now solidly in the #4 spot for the 1A playoffs. Shenandoah Valley falls to 0-8 and travels to Minersville next week for a rematch of a week 3 matchup in which the Miners blanked the Devils 41-0.
Other Area Scores
North Schuylkill 39
Blue Mountain 7
Mahanoy Area 46
Panther Valley 13
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