CATAWISSA: In a lopsided affair which was decided shortly after it began, the Tigers of Southern Columbia(5-0) asserted their dominance in the Heartland Athletic Conference Div. III over the previously unbeaten Indians of Muncy(4-1). The Indians could find no answer for the front-line surge as the Tiger backs scored at will from all over the field en route to a merciful 47-7 victory.
Tony Chiavaroli and Cody Pavlick set the tone defensively for the Tigers on the first series by dropping the Muncy backs for losses on consecutive plays while the secondary played tight coverage and forced the first of five punts – not to mention getting the ball back three times on downs, a fumble recovery by Robert Delbo, and an interception by Brad Noll.
Offensively, the Tigers began very characteristically by softening up the middle with a few rushes by Adam Feudale and Matt Lupold before quarterback Taylor Young shot through a wide-open right side for the 24 yard score at 8:46 in the first period.
The next offensive series for Southern lasted one play when Young connected with tight end, Jake Becker, on a lob over the middle for a 50 yard catch & run touchdown. Following the Delbo fumble recovery at the Muncy 16, Lupold took his shot at the end-zone and put the Tigers up 21-0 at the 6:57 mark after the Dylan Swank PAT kick.
At this point the Indians were able to put together a drive into Tiger territory, but gave the ball up on downs at the 22 yard marker. It was from here that Nate Hunter got his first touch of the night and went the distance of 78 yards for the score. Before the close of the first quarter, Feudale found some traction and burst 53 yards to put the Tigers up 35-0 and ensure a short second half with the “mercy rule” activated.
Hunter rounded out the scoring in the first half with a 48 yard jaunt at 4:41 in the second quarter. He led the scoring and rushing on this night. Despite only having three carries, Hunter compiled 132 yards and 2 TD’s for a whopping 44yds. per carry average. Southern showed some added mercy by running out the clock and forgoing another touchdown attempt from the three yard-line as the half ended.
Freshman, Blake Marks, earned the next highest total with 118 yards and a TD on 7 carries, with the score coming on a 70 yard, tackle-breaking, direction-changing scramble mid-way through the fourth. Feudale added 77 yards and a TD on 6 rushes, while Lupold only got four touches with 34 yards and a score. In all, Southern racked up 427 yards and six TD’s on the ground, and Young was 2/4 passing for 63 yards and a score.
Muncy managed to avoid a goose egg in the final two minutes when quarterback, Anthony Barberio punched it in from the one.
MUNCY(4-1) has another tough battle next week as they host Bloomsburg(4-1) in a key HAC-III contest.
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA(5-0) will likely face one of their biggest tests of the regular season next week as they travel to Selinsgrove(4-1). The Seals are coming off a tough 17-7 loss to Berwick and will be hungry to rebound.
SCORING:
Young: 24 yd. TD run @ 8:46(1st) SCA 7-0
Young – Becker: 50 yd. catch & run TD @ 7:31(1st) SCA 14-0
Lupold: 16 yd. TD run @ 6:57(1st) SCA 21-0
Hunter: 78 yd. TD run @ 3:52(1st) SCA 28-0
Feudale: 53 yd. TD run @ 1:21(1st) SCA 35-0
Hunter: 48 yd. TD run @ 4:41(2nd) SCA 41-0
Marks: 70 yd. TD run @ 6:22(4th) SCA 47-0
Barberio: 1 yd. TD run 2 1:31(4th) SCA 41-7
