However, what they got instead was gut-wrenching, an end-product plagued by an untimely injury. Rathan than be treated to a fourth straight instant classic, fans on both sides were instead left wondering what could have been.

An early, game-ending injury endured by sophomore quarterback Nolen Pauling rendered the Shore offense borderline hopeless, as seven of the team’s eight turnovers on the night followed that injury. The Indians turned two of those into touchdowns, Zakem Clinton and Logan Steele surpassed 100 rushing yards while combining for three TDs and Shamokin handed Shore its third straight district title loss, winning, 37-0, to defend its crown.

It wasn’t the way any on Shore’s sideline envisioned Friday’s contest going, marred by the most unfortunate reality in sports a year removed from another marred by questionable calls. However, even being tremendously handicapped, the Bulldogs kept fighting until the final whistle, doing what they could to survive.

“Everyone that played tonight gave 110 percent,” said Shore senior Carson Watkins. “Our defense was unbelievable. I couldn’t have been prouder with how everyone played today.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent A silver medal hands around the neck of Jersey Shore's Luke Thompson after the Bulldogs loss to Shamokin in the Class AAAA District championship game at Shamokin Friday night.

“We’re really proud of their effort. We didn’t feel that anybody gave in or quit. Might’ve lost confidence in an area or two where Shamokin excels, but I think if we don’t have that injury, it’s a totally different game,” said Jersey Shore head coach Tom Gravish on the effort. “Give Shamokin credit, good luck to them in the future.”

Prior to Pauling’s injury, the Bulldogs did shoot themselves in the foot to fall a step behind.

A botched snap on their first punt was turned into a safety, which the Indians quickly translated into a 9-0 lead behind an eight-play, 50-yard touchdown drive. And after 76 yards to get to Shamokin’s goal line going into the second, a Pauling fumble capped their first and only red zone opportunity with zero points.

However, Pauling was considerably effective outside of that turnover, and Shore’s defense responded well to keep the Bulldogs two scores behind. Through three drives, the sophomore completed seven of his nine pass attempts for 35 yards while adding 44 yards on the ground.

“He was doing everything we asked and was decisive doing it,” said Gravish on Pauling. “He made a couple of plays through the air. We felt good about our matchups, passing the ball, had he not been injured.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore Head Coach Tom Gravish talks to his team after their loss to Shamokin for the Class AAAA District Championship at Shamokin Friday.

Defensively, Pauling bounced back immediately from the turnover, creating one of his own by intercepting a deep pass down the middle from Logan Steele. That interception kicked off a five-drive scoring drought for the Indian offense.

Shamokin still found ways to create big plays, with Clinton (15 rushes, 142 yards) setting it up in the red zone with a 56-yard run in the second and both him and Steele (12 rushes, 101) yards have long touchdown runs in the third and fourth quarter respectively. But the Bulldogs shut down that aforementioned red zone trip, forcing a turnover on downs, and were largely effective in holding the potent Indian offense back.

Senior Talyn Lope left it all on the field at defensive tackle, totaling four tackles for loss while helping Shore consistently shut down the middle. Freshman Chase Ellison added a pair of tackles for loss, as the team as a whole compiled seven while forced six three-and-outs.

“We did a pretty good job stopping their run game, which they’re known for,” said senior Luke Ryan on the defense.

“There were some really solid plays where we were relentless at getting to the ball, and not just with one guy,” emphasized Gravish. “There was some good stuff there. It just wasn’t enough.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Nolan Pauling (1) runs the ball against Shamokin in the first quarter of the Class AAAA District championship game at Shamokin Friday night.

In Pauling’s absence, senior receivers Carson Watkins and Luke Ryan stepped in at quarterback. Outside of relief appearances, Watkins hadn’t played quarterback since seventh grade, and Ryan had never taken reps at the position.

While there were flashes throughout both stints under center, like Bo Sechrist producing a 23-yard run on Watkins’s last drive and Ryan finding Watkins for a 29-yard gain on his first, they were few and far between as their experience there showed.

Watkins threw a pick six in the second that allowed Shamokin to go into half time with a 16-0 lead, with the offense producing four turnovers before Shore opted to switch. And Ryan got the Bulldogs past midfield once before their final three drives of the season ended in turnovers, one being a fumble in the end zone that put the Indians up 37-0 midway through the fourth.

“We were out there just kind of chucking it up, and they got a few interceptions and that put us in a bad place on offense,” said Ryan.

“We just didn’t have the skill set we needed to score, which is a little embarrassing, putting up a goose egg in our last game of the season,” said Watkins.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Bo Sechrist (5) runs the ball against Shamokin in the first quarter of the Class AAAA District championship game at Shamokin Friday night.

It certainly wasn’t the way the Bulldogs wanted to close the season, but there’s still plenty to take pride in moving forward.

For the seniors, they took what seemed to be a transitional season and turned it into one where it won eight games, beat multiple tough opponents and helped the program make it back to the district championship for the 12th time in 14 seasons. In Week 4, they pushed a Shamokin program that’s now won 24 of its last 25 games to the limit, showing it could hang with the top teams in its district and league.

“It’s been a hell of a ride, the greatest year I’ve ever had with all my teammates and coaches,” said Watkins on the season. “I’m so blessed that they coached us up, showing up to practice with that attitude every single day. I’m definitely going to miss it.”

“The season obviously didn’t end like we wanted it to, but I’m blessed to have who I played with and got coached by,” emphasized Ryan. “They have excellent sophomore and junior classes on the uprise, so next season, I’m excited to see what they can do.”

Optimism surrounds the future, with key contributors like Pauling, Ellison Kash Herritt, Carter Rhinehart and so many more set to return. For now, the team will take a break from action before getting back to work in the coming weeks.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore quarterback Carson Watkins (6) scrambles under pressure from Shamokin 's Brayden Cavanaugh (0) in the second quarter.

“The sun will rise again tomorrow, and we won’t pressure them to be working out Monday or anything like that,” laughed Gravish. “I know myself, we’ll be thinking about ’26. Next game, North Schuylkill.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore quarterback Luke Ryan (7) scramble for yards in the fourth quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Kash Herritt (0) runs the ball against Shamokin in the first quarter of the Class AAAA District championship game at Shamokin Friday night.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Shamokin quarterback Logan Steele tries to throw under pressure from Jersey Shore's Kash Herritt (0) and Talyn Lope (55) in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Shamokin's Za'Kem Clinton (21) is gang tackled by Jersey Shore's defense in the third quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Brayden Swales celebrates after a big stop in the third quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Shamokin's Colin Steinhart (1) breaks up a pass intended for Jersey Shore's Carter Rhinehart (3) in the fourth quarter.