SHAMOKIN, Pa. — Although the season for the Shamokin Area Indians ended somberly, this season was one the people of Shamokin will never forget.
"Who would've thought, out of everything that's going on within Shamokin Coal Township and the Shamokin Area, that it took a bunch of teenagers to bring this city together? I mean, I have not seen this in 30 years," said Shamokin City Councilman Mike Duganitz.
Neither have some of the other fans in the stands who've been coming to Indians games for decades.
"Oh my gosh, this is the best team I've ever seen. Best season we've ever had; these kids are together, they play together, they go to school together. It's really nice to see, and it brought the town together, so you can imagine how it brought the town together," Thomas Rumberger of Shamokin.
"I think it has to do with the kids; some kids want to play, some kids don't. But these kids are here, they're putting effort in, long hours, practice, and it shows on the football field," said Tim Glosek of Shamokin.
Up until this last game against Juniata, the Indians were undefeated. This being their first state playoff game since 2011, a point of pride for many in the stands.
"It's like we're having a new lease on life. Thank goodness, and we finally beat Mt. Carmel after 29 years. It's nice, yes, very nice," said Rumberger.
"Everybody's bleeding purple in this area, and we love it, and we embrace it, and we love our kids," said Glosek.
Despite the season coming to an end tonight, fans hope it marks a return to prominence for the long-proud football program.