Shamokin Indians

SHAMOKIN

BRETT NYE

STEPPING OUT OUT

Indians banking on QB Nye

Story by Harold Raker

Shamokin senior Brett Nye may never have heard of 19th century British politician Benjamin Disraeli. But Disraeli’s most well-known quotation may resonate with the Indians’ quarterback. Disraeli said, “There are three types of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Nye began the 2021 season as The Daily Item’s Preseason All-Star quarterback. After missing Shamokin’s first two games due to an injury, he didn’t live up to the lofty expectations. In eight games, Nye completed just 40 of 96 pass attempts (42%) for 652 yards. He threw four touchdowns and seven interceptions, compiling an underwhelming passer rating of 48. Shamokin coach Henry Hynoski is excited about the player fans are going to see on the field this fall, one who isn’t defined by those numbers. “Last year’s statistics don’t reflect his abilities,” Hynoski said. “Brett’s doing phenomenal,” Hynoski added. “He’s everything you want from a quarterback from a talent standpoint, arm strength standpoint and accuracy standpoint. He’s really stepped it up a notch this year, watching him in (seven-on-seven workouts). He’s working hard, really busting his butt.” Hynoski added, “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a kid want to succeed like he does. He’s right there with (recent Indian standouts) Blake Zalar and Nate Miller.” Hynoski has heard from others, including college coaches, who believe Nye “is the real deal.” “I think he’s primed for a very good year,” Hynoski said. “We just have to do our part to put all the pieces together to keep him up and keep him protected. He needs to stay untouched and clean in the pocket. That’s where we had a lot of issues last year.” The coach said Shamokin’s staff has made some changes to protections that should benefit Nye and give him better opportunities to make plays.

SHAMOKIN | INDIANS

PIAA DISTRICT 4 CLASS 4A HEARTLAND DIVISION 1

Nye was hampered last year by the loss of his two top receiving targets from the 2020 season. Billy Delbaugh graduated, and Ryder Zulkowski transferred. Zulkowski, now a junior, has returned. Hynoski believes if everyone stays healthy, Nye will have a lot of options. “We have a plethora of speed and talent out at wide receiver with (sophomore) Chase Pensyl, (senior Wisdom Artis-Jones, Zulkowski, (senior) Colton Lynch and (senior) Isaiah Mumford,” he said. “All five of those guys can play. They give us a lot of speed and athleticism on the perimeter. “We’re not short on skill position players. The summer has been fun to watch.” A strong season from Nye would help pick up any slack from a running game that will be without bellcow Max Madden for the first time in four years. Last year, Madden virtually carried the team on his back, rushing for 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns on 215 carries while the Indians finished 5-6. Hynoski believes Knowledge Artis-Jones, a different kind of running back, may be ready to succeed the hard-charging Madden. “We saw glimpses of Knowledge last year, and he was outstanding. He could be really special,” Hynoski said. “He has explosion and a quick step, and the kid is still learning.” He added that the Artis-Jones brothers are “super-athletic kids” who will start on both sides of the ball. Neither played organized football until arriving in Shamokin as freshmen, and “the game is finally starting to come to them.” Hynoski is also expecting a good year from senior fullback Corey Adams, who saw time last season behind graduates Aaron Frash and Tyler Whary.

Up front, Hynoski is counting on a pair of returning starters in senior Eric Zalar (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and junior Hunter Wertz (6-4, 355). They’re tasked with keeping Nye upright, as is sophomore Blake Hockenbroch (6-1, 230), who moved “WE’RE NOT SHORT ON from tackle to guard.

SKILL POSITION “He’s such a big, strong, athletic kid,

PLAYERS. THE and he will be great at

SUMMER HAS BEEN FUN TO WATCH.” that position, pulling and getting out in front of Knowledge,’’ said — HENRY HYNOSKI, SHAMOKIN HEAD COACH Hynoski, who added his staff also likes Hockenbroch at tight end. Senior Cam Smith is the No. 1 tight end, but the Indians need more depth at the position. Depth is also a concern in the middle of the line, and several players are competing at center and guard. The front-runners, Hynoski said, are Ty Kurtz (6-0, 220), senior Brock Nye (5-4, 190) and senior Maddox Romanoski (5-8, 210). Hockenbroch returns at punter. The kicking job was vacated by graduate Carson Ososkie. The Indians’ defensive front will consist of Hockenbroch, Romanoski, Wertz and Brock Nye, among others. Vying for time at outside linebacker/ defensive end will be Lynch, Zalar and Hockenbroch while Adams, Knowledge Artis-Jones and Lynch will play middle linebacker. Wisdom Artis-Jones and Mumford are expected to play cornerback, with Pensyl, Zulkowski, senior Brian Jovel-Martinez and junior Brad Latsha handling the safety spots. “We also have a healthy group of young players that may be able to fill the bill, but, if they don’t contribute this year, it will make it nice for the future,” Hynoski said. “Right now, we are solid everywhere,” he added, “but we just really need a tight end and another lineman to step up, and this could be a potent football team.”

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 26 at Lewisburg Sept. 2 Southern Columbia Sept. 9 Mifflinburg* Sept. 16 at Selinsgrove* Sept. 23 Central Mountain* Sept. 30 Shikellamy* Oct. 7 at Jersey Shore* Oct. 14 at Central Columbia Oct. 21 Nanticoke Oct. 28 at Mount Carmel

*-PHAC-1 GAME

2021 RESULTS (5-6)

W vs Lewisburg 6-3 L at Cen. Mountain 35-34 L vs Selinsgrove 33-0 W at Grt. Nanticoke 40-13 W at Mifflinburg 34-27 L vs Jersey Shore 38-0 W at Shikellamy 21-7 W vs Milton 27-14 L at Danville 42-21 L vs Mount Carmel 49-21 L at Selinsgrove 49-13

5-YEAR WIN TREND

6*

5* 5*

3*

1

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

*-PLAYOFFS &-DISTRICT CHAMPION #-PIAA CHAMPION

2021 STAT LEADERS

PASSING C-A Int TD Yds Brett Nye 47-124 6 5 650 RUSHING Att Yards TDs Max Madden 264 1,488 18 Aaron Frasch 66 310 0 Tyler Whary 24 124 1 RECEIVING Rec Yards TDs Collin Seedor 17 313 2 Tyler Whary 10 117 1

RETURNEES IN BOLD