MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area fans supporting Shamokin Area football Friday night wanted to make the Indians feel right at home.
"We want to make it a home game feel for Shamokin," said Tom Reisinger, a 1987 graduate of MCA, before the Indians faced off against Allentown Central Catholic in a PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal game at the Silver Bowl.
Shamokin Area lost 56 to 14.
Reisinger was one of many Red Tornadoes attending the showdown in support of Shamokin Area. Inside the stadium, purple blended beautifully with red.
"We want to show support for another coal region team. We want the stands packed," he said.
Rich Zigarski, a 1986 MCA graduate, said rivalry between the two local teams exists during the season, but the playoffs is the time to stand together.
"We hate them during the season," he said laughing, "but when you get to this point, you support them."
Reisinger and Zigarski were tailgating with a mixture of 20 MCA and Shamokin Area fans in the parking lot of Boyers Food Market. The group - coordinated by Angie Arnold and Ted Pietkewicz, both of Shamokin - arrived at 4:30 p.m. and enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, soupie, hoagies, brownies and beverages.
When the Shamokin team exited the bus, they were there to applaud them, Arnold said.
"We always had pride in the community, but in the last couple weeks, the pride has grown," she said.
Her son, Billy Ruch, is a left tackle.
Pietkewicz said he would have loved to support both Shamokin and Southern Columbia Area, which played District 11 champion Pius X at Nazereth High School in a PIAA Class A quarterfinal game Friday night, but it wasn't possible to be at both events.
Southern Columbia won 55 to 25.
Despite Shamokin Area's loss, Pietkewicz said Allentown left the Coal Region knowing they played hard.
Stan Yucha, a 1967 MCA graduate, said he's a firm believer in supporting all local teams.
"It's been a unique year, a good year, for the local teams. Around here, it's our entertainment. Everybody loves high school football. You can see the fan support all around," he said.
MCA game today
MCA will play District 3 champion Lancaster Catholic in a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game at Shamokin Area's Kemp Memorial Stadium at noon today. MCA fans know they'll have the same support from their local rivals that they showed Friday night.
"I was born and raised in the Coal Region, and we do anything to support the area," Zigarski said.
Arnold and Pietkewicz said they'll be at the MCA game, and know plenty of Shamokin Area fans planning to tailgate Saturday morning.
"We're proud to have all three schools make it this far. One game a season, we're rivals, but these games, we fully support each other," Pietkewicz said.