HS FOOTBALL: STREAK SNAPPED; Devils hold off Rams, 37-34
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah Valley's #8 Owen Kosar breaks a tackle by Columbia Montour Vo-Tech's #12 Tommy Bond.
SHENANDOAH – The scenes following Tuesday’s matchup between Columbia Montour Vo-Tech and Shenandoah Valley were reminiscent of a district championship.
A head coach soaked by a cooler full of ice and Gatorade, check.
Football players running, jumping, celebrating, and smiling on the field as Shenandoah’s fight song plays in the stadium, check.
Horns blaring as fans leave Veterans Memorial Stadium, check.
Though a title was not won Tuesday, the victory was a key step in Shenandoah’s return to prominence, to reclaim its seat as a perennial challenger in District XI and the Schuylkill League.
“We broke the streak,” Head Coach Ed Moran told his players after the game. “The streak is dead!”
The streak he referred to was a 34-game losing streak dating back to 2017, which, according to Shayne Schafer, Minersville football historian, is the longest losing streak in Shenandoah history.
The win comes a day before Moran’s 40th birthday, making it a fitting birthday present.
“Our kids played hard. They kept playing. They handled some adversity,” Moran said post-game. “Our offensive line dominated the game, and Owen Kosar (QB) is a great playmaker. He’s an excellent athlete.”
“Jason Migliaccio was phenomenal as well,” Moran added. “I’m just so proud of these kids. They’ve been through a lot of struggles and they kept practicing and kept playing and I’m just thrilled for them.”
Shenandoah took an early lead in the game, which they never relinquished, despite several charges by the Columbia Montour Vo-Tech squad.
The Devils held a 16-6 advantage late in the first, and a 30-18 advantage at the half, giving Shenandoah their first halftime lead since 2018 vs. Jenkintown.
“They run the ball hard, and they’re coached well,” Moran said of the Rams.
With 10:37 left in the fourth, Shenandoah held a 37-18 advantage, as Columbia Montour mounted a late-game rally.
With 1:46 remaining, the Rams had closed the gap to three points, trailing 37-34, though an onside kick attempt would be fielded by Shenandoah.
A couple of first down runs by Shenandoah’s Brian Dunne sealed the deal for the Devils. Two kneel-downs preceded the celebration at Veterans Memorial Field.
“Three years, boys, we ended it!” senior lineman Jason Migliaccio yelled as his Shenandoah team celebrated.
Shenandoah (1-6) moves on to face the 1-5 Panthers of Panther Valley at home at 1:30pm on Saturday.
Full Photo Gallery
About Author
