THE SMILES FILES

After 43 games the Pittston Area – Wyoming Area football rivalry is not slowing down with age. The week was filled with bonfires and pep rallies. On Friday night the Pittston Area pep squad gave the famous Warrior nation some big time competition. Clad in red, a couple hundred strong, they marched to the game across the Water Street Bridge carrying flags and led by a fire truck.

Don’t know what the official attendance was, but to me it looked like there was a bigger crowd at the game than in any recent season when the teams had winning records. The bleachers on either side were pretty well filled and there were a lot on fans along the fences.

Considering the weather, it was cold, and the fact that the teams had only five wins combined going into the game I was impressed and happy. Maybe the fact that the teams had losing seasons helped the game. Without any playoffs in either team’s future “The Game” was the teams’ playoff.

Lots of good sportsmanship, too. Only one unsportsmanlike-like penalty and it wasn’t a personal foul. It happened a couple plays from the end of the game, when one of the Patriots tried to keep the clock running by staying on the tackle a little too long.

The last play was something I can’t remember seeing before. PA’s Jack Stankoski intercepted a pass around the five yard line and ran it 95 yards for a touchdown. He still had about 40 yards to go when the clock expired.

Who beat whom?

Now here’s a rivalry upset: Coughlin beat Valley West Friday 14-0, a week after Valley West scored 56 points against Wyoming Area. And Coughlin beat Pittston Area and Wyoming Area only by a touchdown each.

Old Forge is for real at 10-0. Consider they hammered Hanover, who beat Pittston Area and threw a scare into state-ranked Dunmore.

Soccer all-stars

Six Pittston Area and Wyoming Area soccer players were named to the first and second teams of the Wyoming Valley Conference boys soccer coaches Division II all-star team for the 2009 season, five from PA and one from WA.

Pittston Area Patriots forward Danny Scatena, midfielder Mike Blasi and defender Dylan Kester made the first team.

PA’s mid Pietro Colella and goalie Brian Wertz made the second team. Wyoming Area forward Mark Bugelholl made the second team.

Paige update

Paige Semenza is a freshman with the Ohio State women’s ice hockey team. Through Friday Paige had played in all six games as a forward with the third/fourth line. She has two goals and one assist.