Tigers Torment Blue Jays
Go back to week nine of the 2011 regular season if you are looking for the last time that Southern Columbia has lost a regular season game. In that game, the Tigers gave up a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter to Mount Carmel Area to lose 22-21. Ironically, the argument can be made that the 2011 squad may have been the best team that the Tigers have had during this remarkable run of winning 50 straight regular season games. There’s no reason to argue though, because the past five Tiger teams have put together a run that hasn’t been done many times in Pennsylvania history. The 50th, and most recent win, came on Jim Roth Field with the Tigers pummeling Central Columbia 49-6.
The weather was as ugly as it has been during the winning streak, but Southern Columbia’s offense, defense, and special teams were the exact opposite of ugly on their home field. “I was really pleased with the way we played in all of the phases. It’s nice to be clicking at the right time in the season,” said Tiger coach Jim Roth. Southern’s defense held the Blue Jays to just 22 total yards on 24 plays in the first half.
The Tigers were playing with heavy hearts on Friday night. The school’s field hockey coach, Ellen Sosnoski, passed away a week prior in a tragic house fire. “It was a sad week for the whole school. A tragic loss like that, but everyone has supported everyone since the incident. The community has been very supportive for Ellen’s family and team. I’m glad we got the win to end the week for her memory,” Hunter Thomas said. The Southern senior scored three first half touchdowns on the ground and finished with 127 yards.
Thomas scored the first touchdown on the team’s first drive that went 10 plays for 68 yards. The scores came on a short one yard plunge. Special teams contributed to the next score, when Tyler Bendas blocked a punt out of the end zone to move the lead to 9-0. Tight end Garrett Henry caught a touchdown pass of 11 yards from Stone Hollenbach to extend the lead after the Tigers got the ball back following the safety. “I love blocking, so I don’t really care about catching the ball all that much. I do get credit when I catch the ball though since it doesn’t happen often and I hope the girls like it,” Henry said while smiling after the game. Gaige Garcia had a one yard carry to give the Tigers a commanding 21-0 lead after the first twelve minutes.
Henry caught an 18-yard pass for a score to start the second quarter. His second touchdown was a rare feat as the senior became the first tight end since Sean Connaghan in 2000 to catch two TD passes in one game. “I didn’t expect to get the ball at all tonight with the rain, but things opened up for me. I enjoyed the action,” said Henry. His quarterback played an efficient first half, completing all but one pass. “Stone Hollenbach deserves some of the credit too. Obviously Garrett has to get open, but Stone did a good job of looking off of his primary targets to find him,” said Roth.
Thomas finished off his first half hat trick with rushing touchdowns of 70 and 11 yards. With the Tigers leading 42-0 at halftime, the starters were able to rest after the break. “With the field being wet, it was harder to cut on running plays. The holes were just ridiculous though so a lot of it was running straight forward. The line definitely got the job done,” Thomas said. Each team scored one touchdown in the second half. Jeffrey Cox had a rushing touchdown of two yards for Southern in the third quarter. On the final play of the game, Central completed a 54-yard pass from Aaron Farver to Zander Bradley for a touchdown.
In the regular season finale next week, Central Columbia will carry a three game losing streak back home to host rival Bloomsburg. That game will potentially be for the final playoff spot in the District IV AA eight team field. The top-seeded Tigers, who have a comfortable lead over second seed Wellsboro, will play host to a dangerous Selinsgrove team that is finally healthy. The final regular season game, for the third consecutive season, will be the premiere crossover matchup in the Heartland Conference. “Seeing what they were able to do against Mount Carmel, it will be a good test for us heading into the playoffs. They have been able to throw the ball successfully all season and that is where we can use some extra work,” said Roth.
SCA: 21-21-7-0 = 49
CC: 0-0-0-6 = 6
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA (9-0)
RUSHING:
Hunter Thomas 9-127, 3 TDs; Gaige Garcia 7-69, TD; Nic Fetterman 4-31; Nate Crowl 6-56; Jeffrey Cox 7-43, TD; Thomas Manley 3-38; Ty Roadarmel 4-28; Cole Potter 2-(-3)
PASSING:
Stone Hollenbach 8-9-0, 127 yds, 2 TDs
RECEIVING:
Garrett Henry 3-38, 2 TDs; Cam Young 3-62; Julian Fleming 2-27
1st DOWNS: 21
PENALTIES: 3-32
CENTRAL COLUMBIA (4-5)
RUSHING
Isaac Gensemer 11-42; Jack Schechterly 8-28; Trae Devlin 2-16; Cole Sweitzer 2-2; Justin Mungo 1-1; Andrew Fritz 3-(-2);
PASSING:
Aaron Farver 2-6-0, 6 yds; Trae Devlin 1-3-0, 54 yds, TD
RECEIVING:
Jensen Thivierge 2-6; Zander Bradley 1-54, TD
1st DOWNS: 6
PENALTIES: 3-15
