West Shamokin

[richaboli]

West Shamokin is absolutely stupid to try the independent schedule rout. Are they really financially ready for some real travel to Maryland and other areas just like Chestnut Ridge does. Of course not. After they decide the independent route isn't the way to go and they want to be accepted into a conference but nobody in District 6 will accept them, are they ready to ride it out for years like Chestnut Ridge has been forced to do? Of course not. Truth is, October enrollment figures will very likely move Chestnut Ridge out of their WPIAL AA conference and move them to a class A conference next year, where, with a little more work, can be fairly competitive. West Shamokin decision makers need to get their heads out of the sand and think ahead instead of freaking out.
Going independent is freaking out.

[tidesturning]

What is their motivation to "try" the independent route?

[richaboli]

What is their motivation to "try" the independent route?

Good question tidesturning.
Somebody needs to answer this question.

[Big Ike]

I know they have been BAD..I really think as an independent they will try to schedule every struggling program right now (I.E. Wilkinsburg, Geibel, A-C valley, West Greene Etc)...The schedule would not be a guarentee each year and may include multiple off weeks and the potential travel for some of these teams would be tough!...In some way if they can pull it off I understand(tentatively agree) with an independent move...On the other hand they are close to Single A , but the current section they would probably be in includes about 2 games that would be competitive (Leechburg, Wilkinsburg). I also think in some ways it was "selfish" for the basketball coach to fight the move to the heritage so much. I think it would have been the best fit all around with teams that may have fallen in similar talent cycles.

[richaboli]

Except for game one and non playoff game ten in the WPIAL, the WPIAL leadership schedules all the non-conference games WPIAL team vs WPIAL team. This results in no open dates for any WPIAL team between game two and game nine. Only game one and game ten can be scheduled by a WPIAL school's athletic director. This will result in West Shamokin finding it impossible to schedule any WPIAL team between game two through game nine. Add to that the cross scheduling agreement between the WestPac and the Heritage and West Shamokin will be traveling out of state over and over again.

[Big Ike]

Except for game one and non playoff game ten in the WPIAL, the WPIAL leadership schedules all the non-conference games WPIAL team vs WPIAL team. This results in no open dates for any WPIAL team between game two and game nine. Only game one and game ten can be scheduled by a WPIAL school's athletic director. This will result in West Shamokin finding it impossible to schedule any WPIAL team between game two through game nine. Add to that the cross scheduling agreement between the WestPac and the Heritage and West Shamokin will be traveling out of state over and over again.

Yikes!!! Thanks Brother I did not think about that "x" factor. They will hard pressed to find anything East (D /5/6) or South (D7)...I wonder if D-9 (Whome they left) has many openings or D-10?

[ABFBO2003]

why dont they just join the heritage in D6 they would have at least 3 or 4 wins a seasons, or maybe even a minning season. Those teams are not that good. matter of fact they are the weekess conference in the D6.

[ABFBO2003]

with Ligonier and laurel valley combining and now Ligonier wants out of the heritage (D6) there is now 2 spots open. they should just go to that conference.

[richaboli]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 62635.html

West Shamokin is considering ending their co-op with Elderton to get their boys enrollment down to class A level. There was only one boy playing on the W Shamokin team from Elderton. I think that since they are the same school district just tell any future Elderton football players they have to attend West Shamokin High School, then Elderton's enrollment won't be counted. Or maybe Elderton can co-op with Kittanning or Ford City where a small bump in enrollment won't change their classification. Maybe the best thing for them to do is just tell the basketball coach "TOO BAD, YOUR REASONS AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SURVIVAL OF OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM. YOU'RE GOING TO THE HERITAGE" and take steps to join the Heritage Conference again.

[ABFBO2003]

They should do good in BK in the heritage there is only 2 or 3 good teams anyway. desparate times call for desparate measures