Lehigh locals update: Shafnisky plays for the first time

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

It wasn't the circumstances that he wanted, but Lehigh freshman Nick Shafnisky got his first action of the season on Saturday in the fourth quarter of the shocking 48-10 loss to Bucknell in Lewisburg.

Shafnisky, last year's Lehigh Valley Conference co-MVP at Whitehall, entered the game with 2:36 left and had consecutive runs for 11, 13 and 4 yards. His 28 yards rushing was second best on the day for Lehigh, typifying how much of a struggle it was for the Mountain Hawks.

Shafnisky was then incomplete on a pass and then had a pass go off the hands of an intended receiver and it was picked off -- Lehigh's fifth turnover in a dismal outing.

Bucknell then ran out the clock.

With the status of starter Brandon Bialkowski in doubt after he went out with what appeared to be a major shoulder injury, Shafnisky could be elevated to No. 2 on the depth chart for Lehigh's next game on Nov. 9 against Holy Cross at Goodman Stadium.

The Mountain Hawks are 6-2 overall, 1-1 in the Patriot League.

In regard to the other local players on Lehigh's roster:

Junior wide receiver Josh Parris (Palisades) had three receptions for 20 yards. He now has 36 catches for 417 yards and two scores. The 36 catches are second best on the team.

Senior Matt Lippincott (Wilson) made the start at center.

Defensively, sophomore inside linebacker Noah Robb (Central Catholic) had five tackles, including three solo and one for a loss. Sophomore outside linebacker Matt Laub (Parkland) had two stops, one solo.

For the season, Robb has 44 tackles, including three for losses. Laub has nine stops in six games, six solo..