Of all the run-oriented WPIAL offenses in Armstrong County, none gained more ground through four weeks than West Shamokin — and the competition wasn't close.
The Wolves, averaging more than 180 yards a game, have proven they can grind out first downs in their Wing-T scheme. Though the productivity has not ended a 38-game losing streak, it has indicated West Shamokin (0-4) is headed in the right direction.
"I get all giddy when I look at the stats," coach Josh Gilliland said.
West Shamokin has rushed 155 times for 734 yards, an average of 4.74 yards per carry. The team finished last year with 568 yards.
The Wolves' numbers might only get better as this season continues. After 169 yards in the season opener against Neshannock and 111 against Steel Valley in Week 2, they posted totals of 175 and 279 against Allegheny Conference foes Burrell and Summit Academy, which share first place in the conference.
Freshman Zac Horner leads the team with 381 yards and three touchdown on 71 carries. He began the season as a backup fullback to junior Blake Copenhaver but moved into the starting spot when Copenhaver suffered a concussion in Week 1.
Horner had his first 100-yard game (117) and scored his first touchdown against Burrell. Last week, he finished with 163 yards and found the end zone twice.
"I never thought I'd score in my freshman year at all, let alone three touchdowns," Horner said. "So yeah, I was shocked (by the success), I guess."
The freshman, 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, attributes at least some of his success to his underwhelming size, which has allowed him to hide behind West Shamokin's bulkier boys up front.
Senior center Fred Laird (6-0, 285), senior left guard Steve Kozuch (6-4, 210), junior left tackle Andy Stover (6-0, 202), junior right tackle Kyle Schons (6-1, 290) and freshman right guard Adam Crise -- the lone big-body exception at 5-9, 145 pounds -- are responsible for the running lanes this fall. The four upperclassmen understand how much they have developed in a year's time.
"Yeah, manhandling guys more is definitely more fun," Kozuch said. "I wasn't doing that last year. I was like 170 pounds. Now I'm 210. That definitely helps."
Laird added: "We've got better technique this year. We know what we're doing. ... And we're all a lot bigger now."
In addition to Horner, senior wingback Andrew Sabula and sophomore quarterback Brady Cornman also have more than 100 yards rushing; Cornman has 143 yards, and Sabula 112. Five of the seven players to carry the football for West Shamokin this season average more than 4 yards per carry.
"It feels great having that push up front this year," said Sabula, who had 44 yards rushing a season ago. "We're so much bigger and more powerful than we've ever been."
Turnovers have offset the ground game's productivity. West Shamokin, which averages 8 points per game, fumbled away six possessions, including four against Burrell. They lost three more drives with interceptions.
Another area in need of improvement: the passing game. The Wolves have completed two of 16 pass attempts for 3 yards.
"I'd like to be two-dimensional," Gilliland said, "but I guess sometimes I can tend to be a little bit grandfathered into 'Hey diddle-diddle, fullback up the middle.' "
