Shikellamy Pulls Away From Jersey Shore, 56-27
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | September 26, 2026 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple
SUNBURY — What began as a back-and-forth shootout turned into a dominant fourth-quarter performance Friday night as Shikellamy defeated Jersey Shore, 56-27, at Shikellamy High School.
Playing on a dry field under fair conditions, the Braves and Bulldogs traded explosive plays throughout the first three quarters before Shikellamy's defense and big-play offense took control late.
Shikellamy struck first after Jersey Shore turned the ball over on downs near its own 9-yard line. Ryan Dephillips connected on a 26-yard field goal to put the Braves ahead 3-0.
The Shikellamy defense then produced a safety, extending the advantage to 5-0. Moments later, quarterback Bobby Felmy found Thomas Pollock for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Dephillips' extra point made it 12-0.
Jersey Shore answered quickly.
Quarterback Nolen Pauling connected with Connor Winters on a 60-yard touchdown pass, with Gabriel Welshans adding the extra point. But Shikellamy answered on its next possession when Felmy again found Pollock, this time for a 65-yard scoring strike.
The Bulldogs refused to go away. Pauling and Winters connected for another long touchdown, this one covering 62 yards, cutting Shikellamy's lead to 19-14 at the end of the opening quarter.
Shikellamy extended its advantage early in the second quarter when Felmy connected with Maddox Hoover on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Dephillips' PAT made it 26-14.
Jersey Shore responded with a determined drive that included a long run by Pauling down to the Shikellamy 3-yard line. Zeke Sechrist finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Welshans' extra point pulled the Bulldogs within five at 26-21 heading into halftime.
The visitors briefly seized control in the third quarter.
Pauling connected with Khani McCray on a 31-yard touchdown pass, putting Jersey Shore ahead 27-26. The Bulldogs failed on the ensuing two-point conversion, however, leaving Shikellamy within striking distance.
The Braves regained the lead later in the quarter when Felmy found Pollock for a 15-yard touchdown. Shikellamy's two-point attempt failed, but the Braves carried a 32-27 advantage into the fourth quarter.
That was when the game broke open.
Early in the fourth, Felmy and Pollock connected for their third touchdown of the night, a 65-yard strike that pushed Shikellamy's lead to 38-27. Dephillips added the extra point.
The Shikellamy defense then delivered two of the game's biggest plays in rapid succession.
Xzavier Baker-Allen intercepted a Jersey Shore pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Just moments later, Maddox Hoover added another defensive touchdown with a 30-yard interception return.
With Dephillips converting both extra points, Shikellamy had turned a five-point game into a 53-27 rout.
Dephillips capped the scoring with a 37-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Pollock was a central figure throughout the victory, scoring four touchdowns — three receiving and one through his overall impact in the passing and running game — while Felmy repeatedly found him for explosive plays. Felmy also connected with Hoover for a touchdown.
Jersey Shore's offense was led by Pauling, whose passing and running provided a steady source of big plays. Winters caught three touchdown passes, while McCray added a touchdown reception and Sechrist scored on the ground.
But Shikellamy's defense ultimately made the difference, forcing multiple turnovers and turning two interceptions into fourth-quarter touchdowns.
After Jersey Shore's offense had kept the game competitive for three quarters, the Braves' defense slammed the door in the final period.
Shikellamy finished the night with 56 points, scoring 27 unanswered points after Jersey Shore briefly took its 27-26 lead in the third quarter.
Final: Shikellamy 56, Jersey Shore 27.
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