The New Republican Party

Can We Survive???????

From Lulac.

Solace for the Red Tornadoes

Five wins and five losses in a season don't mean much for a high school with 5 state titles in the trophy case.

Of the five teams Mount Carmel lost to during the regular season. All five had convincing wins in the first round of the playoffs. None more surprising or convincing than Lewisburg's 21-10 victory over Montoursville completely dominating both sides of the ball in the second half.

The Drive of the Ages for Southern

18, 90, 10 sounds like meaningless numbers until you put them into context. For a football team trying to avenge an earlier defeat, fighting the flu, a player suspension those numbers come to mean so much more for Southern Columbia's football team.

Bloomsburg's Blake Rankin electrified the home crowd with a 38-yard scramble for a touchdown as time expired in the 3rd quarter pulling the Panthers within 21-6 and a possible possession or two left in the game.

To add to Southern's frustration, a knuckle ball kick bounce over the Tiger return man and he eventually was tackled at the 10. The start was first and ten at the 10-yard line. A quick three and out would have gave Rankin a chance to rally, momentum was on Bloomsburg's side.

The next time Bloomsburg would touch the ball there would be 1:49 left in the game and the Panthers would be staring at a 28-6 deficit and dashed district title hopes.

Southern went on an 18-play, 90-yard drive that would eat up the first 10:11 of the first quarter. High school teams would have a hard time with two 9-play drives or three, 6-play drives. College and professional teams would be envious.

From the News-Item, "It's one of the more impressive wins we've had, considering a good amount of our starters didn't practice all week," Roth said. "To come out and play this way is a tribute to their toughness and their courage to come out here and gut it out against a good team and turn around their fortunes from the first time.

Onward to Line Mountain.

Jim Roth Previews the Bloomsburg Panthers

Going into Friday's playoff game with long time rival Bloomsburg, Southern looks to avenge and earlier season loss to the Panthers. In the Roth era at Southern, this may be the first time the Tigers are looking to return the favor.

Veteran's Day 2010

Saluting all those who served and have served. Special shout out to my uncle (Air Force (ret)) who is rehab from a fall earlier this month in Texas.

Smoke Under the Teepee

Shamokin Area concluded their first season under Dan Foor with a 3-7 mark on the season with a 35-13 loss to Loyalsock where the Indians rushed for over 240 yards, but turned over the ball 6 times.

Here is a look at some of the numbers. Shamokin was outscored by the opposition in the 1st and 3rd quarters by 71 to 35 and 69 to 24. The Indians were break even in the 2nd and 4th quarter.

Shamokin was a -4 on the turnover ratio losing the ball 27 times on 20 fumbles and 7 interceptions. Most area teams were around 16 turnovers for the season. Lewisburg only lost the ball 9 times all season. Shamokin's average is close to three a game.

Penalties were a big part of the 2009 season. Shamokin had 80 for 673 yards. An 8/game average. Most area teams averaged half of that with the exception of Selinsgrove. We touch upon the subject of penalties later.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line was a strong suit for the Indians this season and shook off a bad start and played fine as a unit. It was more impressive showing the Indians lack of a passing attack. Strong nucleus returns next season.

RUNNING BACKS

Ran tough but fumbled alot. Forbes is a senior and will be missed. The unit has lacked a burner for a few years.

QUARTERBACK

The Indians shared duties with Haddock and Supsic. Haddock was the better runner, but Supsic didn't do a bad job running the team. With Forbes gone and Haddock's speed will he move to tailback next season?

Passing accuracy was at a premium all season.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS

Hard to pinpoint if it was youth at quarterback or at these positions. They were never a threat receiving but did a good job blocking up front for the running game.

DEFENSE

The front seven played very all season and never quit to their credit. Forbes will be gone but a strong unit returns.

SECONDARY

Could use a lot of work. Only adequate on run support, got burned consistently in obvious passing situations. The unit will have the same questions in 2010.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The punt return team was woeful. Never a threat for a return, this unit lost major field position over the course of the season by not catching the ball. Catching the ball in 2010 would be a huge improvement. The rest of the special teams played well including the field goal unit.

INTANGIBLES

All things considered, Coach Foor came into a tough situation as the third head coach in three years. He had to open with the Indians two big rivalries back-to-back. He installed a new offense.

If one had to pinpoint two turning points of the season, it would have been Supsic's interception into interference to an eventual TD for Mount Carmel. In week 2, who knows how the rest of the game would have went.

The next one came in week 5 against Danville. Shamokin played a terrible first half but managed to tie it at 10 late in the half. The Indians came out uninspired in the second half. Danville went on to win that night and have not lost since.

CHARACTER

Going into 2010 if there is anything you can find with a 35-13 to Loyalsock, Shamokin fell behind 14-0 and turned the ball over 3 times in the first period. They could have started the buses but the Indians pulled within 1 and eventually trailed at the half 21-13. The kids should be commended.

The Party of "No" Comes Through Again!!!!

In a historic vote, the House passed Affordable Health Care for America Act by a 220-215 vote. Locally, "Blue Dog" Tim Holden voted against it.

Just to keep score of the years, here is where Republicans have stood:

SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1935 372-58.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 290-130.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 333-85.
MEDICARE 307-116.

CLEAN WATER ACT 305-115.

According to Lulac, in each instance, the House of Representatives under control by the Democratic party enacted legislation that made the lives of Americans better. The Republicans voted against women, (up until the SS Act was passed, women were not allowed to collect a pension), people of color, old people's medical needs and the right of every American to have good clean water. It is no wonder that health care is on their hit list. The party of NO is not for America.