Tigers defense delivers a shutout
By: Dave Fegley (Twitter: @dfegs9)
For the seventh time this season, and the 17th consecutive regular season game dating back to week one of last season, the Southern Columbia Tigers have delivered a win in Mercy Rule fashion to their opponent. This week, the victim was the Warrior Run Defenders as the Tigers thumped them 57-0. “It’s one of those things that you don’t have control over as a coach. The positive thing is the starters stay fresh throughout the season from not having to play in a lot of physical games. The main guys have been getting rest in the second half of most games which helps limit injuries,” said Tigers head coach Jim Roth about his 7-0 team.
Warrior Run got the ball to start the game, but Frank James was intercepted by Southern defensive back Cameron Young in Defenders territory early on. The Tigers weren’t able to find the end zone on their first possession due to Nick Becker getting intercepted by Wyatt Kirkendall. However, on the very next play Southern linebacker Blake Marks recovered a fumble and returned it 21 yards for a score. The Tigers would force a three-and-out on the next possession, and sophomore running back Hunter Thomas took a reverse 45 yards to the end zone on only the second play of the drive to put SoCo up 14-0. Thomas came into the game averaging over 14 yards per carry in his first year at Southern after moving from Bloomsburg last spring. “It’s a better community and team bonding here, and we definitely seem to play better,” said Thomas. “All the guys on the line bust their butts every play, so I can’t take hardly any of the credit on some of my longer runs.”
The Tigers defense was the highlight of the second quarter by overpowering the Warrior Run offensive line. “Our focus was to stop the run coming in because they have a pretty good running back. We just seem to have a hit hard attitude as a defense and have been playing well lately because we have been more physical than our opponents,” said Tiger defensive lineman Chase Tillett. After Billy Barnes recorded two sacks on back to back plays to start the second quarter, Matt Jerremiah scored on an eight yard run to put the Tigers up 21-0. On the next series, Barnes forced a fumble that was recovered by Southern’s Gabe Delbo which set up a four yard touchdown pass from Becker to Marks. Thomas would add a rushing touchdown after the Southern defense came up with another three-and-out to put the undefeated Tigers up 35-0 heading to the locker room. Southern’s defense held Warrior Run to negative three yards rushing on 17 first half carries. “Each game we seem to be getting better and better as a team so I think we are definitely on the right track,” Thomas said.
Jeremiah scored on a 30 yard run at the beginning of the third quarter to give him a game-high 112 yards rushing on the night to go along with two scores. “As a senior, I want to do everything I can to help this team go as far as we possibly can and I know the other seniors feel the same way,” Jeremiah said. The Tigers have so many weapons on offense, so each game it seems to be someone different leading the charge. “Every time I get the ball I just run as hard as I can to make the most of each carry,” said Jeremiah.
Mike Klebon would cap off the strong defensive effort by the visiting Tigers by intercepting a pass and returning it 28 yards for the second defensive touchdown of the game. “Our seniors have really stepped it up and have motivated the rest of us so far this year,” said Tillett. Billy Marzeski scored the final touchdown on the night from seven yards out to make it a 57-0 final.
Warrior Run will take on a Mount Carmel Area squad that is coming off of two losses next week. Southern Columbia will finally return home to host Lewisburg after playing the past four games on the road. Next week will be a busy night at Tiger Stadium for homecoming and the Tigers will also honor their 2004 undefeated state championship team for alumni night. “Lewisburg is a solid team and then we will have Selinsgrove for the final regular season game, so we certainly have some challenging opponents two out of the next three weeks before heading into the playoffs,” said Roth who earned his 360th career coaching victory last week.
SCA: 14-21-15-7 = 57
WR: 0-0-0-0 = 0
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA (7-0)
RUSHING:
Matt Jeremiah 7-112, 2 TDs; Hunter Thomas 4-61, 2 TDs; Blake Marks 5-37, TD; Jake Potter 1-12; Jared Torres 4-21; Billy Marzeski 4-48, TD; Nick Fetterman 1-5; Dylan Kranzel 1-1
PASSING:
Nick Becker 8-12-1, 117 yds, TD
RECEIVING:
Blake Marks 4-55, TD; Cameron Young 1-29; Hunter Thomas 2-30; Mike Klebon 1-3
1st DOWNS: 16
PENALTIES: 6-56
WARRIOR RUN (2-5)
RUSHING:
Tyler Brown 6-32; Ty Kirkner 4-21; Sean Morehart 3-4; William Michael 13-3; Dante Morris 1-3; Gage Anzulavich 1-(-2); Garrett Ruch 1-(-6); Frank James 4-(-15).
PASSING:
Frank James 4-7-1, 50 yds; Gage Anzulavich 0-3-1
RECEIVING:
Jacob Rohm 3-31; Matthew Truckenmiller 1-19.
1st DOWNS: 6
PENALTIES: 6-49
Warrior Run stats provided by Damien Scoblink (Press Enterprise)
2 Responses
I still don’t see Southern making any noise in the state playoffs this year. They haven’t had a very strong passing game or quarterback play since their last state title run a few years ago which has certainly hurt them in the playoffs. One thing Becker does have though is a tremendous safety blanket in Marks even after losing Rarig. The Thomas kid has been explosive it sounds as well. Roth needs to rely more on Becker running the ball instead of passing. He is listed at 6’3″ and seems to be pretty mobile. Maybe that would help develop the passing game if Roth has Becker run more.
Nice article. Tigers continue their winning ways. It’s amazing as an outside fan how they can remain so dominant for such a long period of time. There isn’t another team in the entire state that has kept up the kind of dominance Southern has displayed for even half as long!