High school football preview: Bulldogs eye 3-0 start in second road trip vs. Selinsgrove
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In its second straight tough test to kick off the season last Friday, Jersey Shore's new-look squad once again impressed, getting out to a 42-14 lead versus Delaware Valley and ultimately, pulling off a 49-42 victory. Now, it's prepared to do something it's grown consistent at through the last half decade, starting a campaign 3-0.
Standing in the way of that pursuit is Heartland-I foe Selinsgrove, a team that's stumbled its way to an 0-2 start out the gate. Despite its struggles, the Bulldogs can't be complacent against the young, well-coached squad, and they'll look to bring it as they try to keep the strong start rolling.
Through two games, senior running back Brett Rice and senior receiver Wyatt Teats have been the biggest offensive standouts for the Seals. Rice kicked off 2025 with a 105-yard outing against returning District 6 Class 4A champ Juniata. And Teats has been a bright spot in a struggling pass game, compiling 98 yards on ten receptions.
Teats also leads the defense with 18 total tackles, with fellow linebackers Logan Dressler and Owen Hoffman being other names to keep an eye on there. Dressler leads the team with two tackles-for-loss and a sack. And in the secondary, sophomore defensive back Nash Fordyce harbors the team's lone interception.
After seeing ups and downs rushing wise through Week One, the Bulldogs put together a masterclass in that category last Friday, with Bo Sechrist (23-156), Kash Herritt (12-142) and Nolen Pauling (16-71) rushing for a combined 369 yards and six touchdowns against the Warriors. That was a huge factor in Shore compiling 579 yards offensively, alongside Pauling's continued success in the pass game.
Through two games at starting quarterback, Pauling has completed over 63-percent of his passes for 374 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 130 yards and three touchdowns on 35 rushes. Leading receiver Carson Watkins has posted two 100-yard games, scoring at least one touchdown in each. And Luke Ryan may be establishing himself as a solid second option.
It's been a solid start for the Bulldogs so far. The question is, how far can they carry it forward?