Scrimmage provides insight, outlook on Devils 2020 campaign
“Although they haven’t had success the last few years, there’s a lot of pride in the community,” new HC says.
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah Valley's quarterback drops back to pass in Saturday's scrimmage against Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.
SHENANDOAH – Shenandoah Valley’s once-stellar football program kicked off its 2020 campaign with a scrimmage today, with a new head coach at the helm looking to return the program to its roots.
“We’ve been trying to rebuild the tradition and culture of Shenandoah football,” first-year head coach Ed Moran told the Sentinel after Saturday’s scrimmage against Columbia Montour Vo-Tech. “Fans this year can expect a team that gives a lot of effort, that is a hard-nosed coal region football team that’s going to get after people.”
“We’re trying to get back to that rich football tradition here in Shenandoah, where people are afraid to play us again,” Moran added.
Moran has seen both sides of Shenandoah football from the other side, both as a player for Minersville against the legendary 1990’s Blue Devils squads, and as a QB coach last year for Panther Valley. He cited the rich tradition of the program as why the job stood out to him.
“I know this area has good football, and that was one thing that really drew me to the program because, although they haven’t had success the last few years, there’s a lot of pride in the community,” Moran said. “People care. That was something I knew I could work with.”
Moran inherits a young squad with only three seniors — two returning seniors and one picking up the sport for the first time this season — and the longest losing streak in the program’s history, 28 games dating back to the 2017 season, when the Devils downed Kutztown 37-0.
One of the most immediate and noticeable ways, Moran said, that he’ll be bringing the squad back to its roots is a return to the classic helmet design, sporting a Devils wordmark on both sides with a single white stripe between two navy stripes at the center of the helmet.
The helmet was unveiled following the scrimmage by the team’s three seniors.
“We’re trying to get back to that rich tradition and be competitive in every game,” Moran said. “If we can be competitive in every game, we’re going to win some games… For us, this year is getting back to being competitive on a consistent basis, and hopefully we’ll get some wins along the way.”
“We’re really happy with the effort with the kids and we think we can beat some people, too,” Moran added.
Looking back at today’s scrimmage, Moran said he was pleased with the results.
“We were really happy with the intensity our kids came out with,” Moran said. “We got better today. Some of our upperclassmen stepped up and are really buying into our new system that we’re trying to run.”
“Every day is a new challenge for us, especially with COVID, but we’re just trying to get better each week,” Moran added.
Looking ahead at this Friday’s home opener against Tamaqua, Moran sees a challenge.
“Tamaqua’s going to be a big challenge for us,” Moran said of the upcoming season opener. “They lost a lot from their team last year, but they also went to the Eastern final.”
“It’s going to be a tough test for us,” he added. “If things go right, though, we feel that we can play with them and can win the game.”
2020 Season
This season features a nine game slate for the Blue Devils, including a rematch of the 2012 PIAA District XI semifinal in week two, when they travel to Williamstown to face the Vikings of Williams Valley.
Week Three, Shenandoah plays host to Marian Catholic, with longtime head coach Stan Dakosty back at the helm.
Week Four is a matchup not seen since the road to Shenandoah’s 2006 District XI title, as the Devils travel to Valley View to face Tri-Valley. According to Shayne Schafer, Minersville football historian, this will be the seventh matchup between the two squads, with Shenandoah holding a 4-2-0 record. Tri-Valley hasn’t defeated Shenandoah since 1995.
A three-game homestand marks weeks five through seven, as Shenandoah hosts Schuylkill Haven, Minersville, and Panther Valley.
Week eight, Shenandoah doesn’t have far to go, continuing the Route 54 Rivalry dating back to the 1800s, as they challenge Mahanoy Area for the Damato/Szematowicz Trophy.
A week nine game is scheduled, sending the Devils to Kutztown to take on the Cougars in what district officials expect to be a competitive game.
An important change to note for the 2020 season is that Shenandoah Valley is now in the 2A classification, placing the Devils in the same district bracket as Minersville, Northern Lehigh, Palmerton, Palisades, and Catasauqua, among others.
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