Tiger Tradition: Consistency & Community

Southern Columbia keeps proving critics wrong

Jealousy is all over the world that we live in. Whether it is in sports, relationships, riches, or fame, people have a natural tendency of becoming jealous of an individual person or group of people. In this case, it boils down to a football family. The Southern Columbia football program started up in the early 1960’s. The first two decades were filled with a lot of losing and there was a point where people didn’t know if the Tigers would ever put together a string of winning seasons. “It’s been a long haul from the beginning when I started here and some of the assistants to where we are today. The program has gone through a lot of transition over the years,” Southern head coach Jim Roth said. After having a 0-10 campaign in 1980, the Tigers finished their 1982 season at 9-3 and have not had a losing season since that point.

The rest of the 1980’s resulted in Southern winning a handful of league and conference championships in helping to build a foundation for success. Then in 1991, the black and gold earned their first district crown and have been nothing short of unstoppable in District IV since. For 23 out of the last 25 years, the Tigers have earned the District IV Championship including a state record of 16 consecutive years in a row. In 1994, Southern Columbia defeated Western Beaver 49-6 to claim the school’s first state championship in Class A. “Around the first fifteen years or so from the early 80’s to our first state title in 1994 was probably the time that we showed the most growth in terms of our level of play. We went from a winless season at the start and then came all the way to winning a state title,” said Roth. From that point on, the Tigers have been known around the state as a powerhouse, but also started to draw a jealous following. Two other schools near Southern won state titles in ’94 as well. The Berwick Bulldogs won the Class AAA title and the Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes won in Class AA giving the heart of Central, Pennsylvania three of the four state champs.

Berwick would go on to win four in a row from 1994-1997 to give them their six total with previous titles in 1988 and 1992. The Red Tornadoes went on an even year streak of winning gold. They won in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002 bringing their total to five. The Tigers made more appearances than both of those programs during that span, but failed to win another final heading into the 2002 season. SCA lost the 1995 and 1996 state championship games, missed the 1997 final after losing in the Eastern Championship, and then lost in the state final from 1999-2001. The talk around the area and state was that Southern Columbia couldn’t close the deal and win the big one. The word was that they choked in state championship games and were intimidated by the Western champions. “We had some close losses in those runner-up finishing years, but we knew we had to try and improve in some areas to get over that final hump. In 2002 the guys realized that it was going to take a more physical effort to finally break through,” the coach said.

Going into the 2002 season, the Southern was determined to show everyone that they could defeat a Western power after dominating the East for the better part of the last decade. The Tigers found themselves in the Eastern Final against Schuylkill Haven at Susquehanna University. After a strong defensive effort, the Tigers came out victorious 28-0. The following week they would take on a familiar Rochester Rams team that had beaten them the previous two years in the state championship at Hershey Park Stadium. “I actually think there was less pressure going into the 2002 game because of that fact we hadn’t won since 1994. I remember our team being pretty laid back before the game but still focused on playing Rochester,” said Ryan Slater who was a starting linebacker on that team and earned all-state honors the following year. “We knew they were a good team with some solid athletes, but we were confident that we could handle them.”

After scoring only 14 total points against the Rams in the two losses, the Tigers came out of the gates on fire and won the game 31-6 giving the school their second overall state championship. More importantly, the victory proved that they could hang with the west and own the state again. “The feeling that I experienced on December 6, 2002 is hard to explain and to put into words; relieved, happy, ecstatic, overjoyed, etc. I really don’t know how to explain it. To be able to say that you’re the best or the greatest at something leaves me speechless,” former running back Brandon Traugh, who rushed for 50 touchdowns in his career, said about the victory. It was also the first time in PIAA State Championship game history that a team had lost to the same opponent multiple times in a final and then came back to hold them to under 10 points the following year in a win.

Jim Roth’s teams would go on to win five consecutive state championships from 2002-2006 bringing their total to six which currently ties with Berwick as the most in PIAA history. During that time, the Tigers were led by a talented core group of players, most notably the school’s all-time leading rusher Henry Hynoski. Southern Columbia defeated Rochester, Bishop Carroll 49-20, Rochester 35-0, Duquesne 50-19, and West Middlesex 56-14 respectively. “Over that span was when I think people around the state started to realize the consistent style of play that our guys had set. Our program was proving that they could compete at a high level against the best teams across the state in a successful fashion over a very long period of time,” Roth stated. In that span of five straight titles, the Tigers outscored the opponents in total 221-59 which is 32.4 points per game. The PIAA Mercy Rule comes into effect once a team is leading by 35 points in the second half of a ball game. For five straight seasons, SoCo nearly averaged to win their state championships during that stretch by that Mercy Rule margin against the best team in the western part of PA.

After losing a strong senior nucleus to graduation, the 2007 Tiger team was upset by Line Mountain in the opening round of the district playoffs. The 2008-2010 teams each won district gold medals, but never reached an Eastern Final. It was at that point when the critics and doubters came out of their caves again and said that the boys who hailed from Elysburg, Catawissa, & Numidia would never get back to a State Championship game. “I think more than anything is the small communities that we all grew up in is what really brought the teams together. I think that feeling is very similar no matter what Southern team you are talking about. We all grew up either playing with or against each other in every sport, yet still going to the same school. We developed bonds since we were young kids,” Slater noted. Looking back at the PIAA history, the skeptics had a strong case because teams like Berwick, Mount Carmel Area, and Central Bucks West who all had won multiple state titles, never got back to the final game after an absence of five or more years. “What made the 2011 team special was the way that they showed team chemistry and had a great group of leaders with a high level of desire. They proved that they could get back to the final game with hard work. It was the first time that a school was able to get back in the final after a bit of an absence after winning in the past, and that’s something that they can always be proud of,” said Roth.

The 2011 squad wanted to shut the nonbelievers up much like the 2002 team was able to do. “When you’re in a program that almost has an expectation to play in Hershey every year, we definitely wanted to get the program back to where it belonged. When it was our time as seniors to be in control, there was really only one way it would have been a successful season for us, and that was being the only team left in the East playing at Hershey,” said former two-way starter Brad Fegley who happens to be the only quarterback in Pennsylvania high school football history to lead a team to a state final appearance without throwing a single interception all season long. During the first official practice that year, the Tigers returning all-state running back, Tyrell Thomas, tore his ACL causing him to miss his entire senior season. The rumors were going around the area that this team would fail to reach the state championship game like the previous four teams. The team and coaches found a way to make it work. “A large part of Southern’s success has always come from the cohesiveness and ability to play selflessly as a team. Coach Roth has always emphasized that, and it shows on the field. Having a well balanced offense rather than relying on one or two standout players is a lot more difficult for opponents to stop,” former lineman Bryan Gedman said.

The team, led by a tight-knit group of seniors, battled through a tough regular season schedule and then an even rougher postseason road. After beating Line Mountain for the District IV Class A Championship, the Tigers came from behind in the second half to beat Old Forge and then broke a halftime tie to down Pius X in back to back weeks. “Knowing that the community is following and supporting the team every step of the way is an awesome feeling. It’s definitely an advantage especially during the state playoffs. When playing at a neutral field, the huge fan base can create a home field atmosphere,” Gedman stated. Southern had no trouble in the Eastern Final taking down Penns Manor 37-6. With that victory, the Tigers revived the program at the state level while earning back their “Beast of the East” label. “You have teams that will win a district championship and celebrate like it’s a huge accomplishment. At Southern, we win a district title and it’s just another notch in our belts and on to the real season that counts. The only way you’re really going to be remembered in the Tiger program is if you’re one of the teams that played in Hershey,” Fegley said. The Tigers fell to Clairton by two touchdowns in the final against Clairton and Tyler Boyd who is arguably the best player that the Tigers have faced in the program’s 52 year history. However, it was just getting back to the final stage that will be etched in Tiger history forever. “That 2011 Clairton team that our guys played in the final was probably the best team that Clairton had during their title run, but our guys battled until the end and proved that we could hang with the athleticism and speed that the premiere western teams had,” Roth stated.

In 2012 and 2013, SCA won first place district medals, but got bounced in the opening round of the state playoffs. In 2014, the Tigers moved up in classifications from Class A to Class AA. This got the critics in gear again by saying that the only reason the Tigers ever won was because they played at the lowest classification level which is a pretty imprudent statement considering the classifications are given out based on enrollment figures by the PIAA. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were defeated in the district semi-finals making some of those criticizers feel like geniuses. Those same people have gone back into hiding a year later because the 2015 Tigers have made it back to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” in Hershey. “Almost all successful people in both the sports world and real-world have been doubted and have had criticizing remarks made about them. Like most people, we take anything that’s said negatively about us and use it as motivation and as a way to push us. When it comes time to line up on the field and play football, all of their comments don’t have any effect on us as a team,” said offensive and defensive lineman Gabe Delbo.

Southern Columbia currently sits at 15-0 and is the highest scoring team in Pennsylvania. Nobody is more happy about this year’s postseason success than the seniors because they had never been a part of a state playoff win prior to this season. “It really is a surreal feeling. Being able to play in a championship football game anywhere is special, but it is even better when you get to do it with some of your best friends. Our senior class didn’t ever get past round one before this year and now we are in the final,” said current QB Nick Becker. This year’s gang, which includes 25 seniors, has gotten the opportunity to play in Pennsylvania high school football’s final weekend along with seven other schools across the state between the four classifications. On Saturday around 3:00 these Tigers will take off their uniforms for the last time as a team regardless of the outcome after taking on the Aliquippa Quips. “There’s definitely going to be some sadness. Being part of a program like Southern Columbia was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t have wanted to play for or with anyone else regardless of the outcome,” senior captain Blake Marks said.

The bottom line is this. SCA football has been arguably the best high school sports program in Pennsylvania since the mid-1990’s. There has not been a sport in any school to garner this much success over such a long period of time. Southern Columbia Area School District is a public school, so the luxury of recruiting state-wide and surrounding states isn’t there for them which makes their consistent dominance that much more impressive. The majority of the Tiger coaching staff has been with Roth for either the entirety or most of this successful journey. “I believe talking about the success our program has had continues to drive our teams each year towards the ultimate goal even though many of them haven’t experienced playing in that kind of atmosphere before,” said Traugh who is now a coach.

After winning 23 District IV Championships, 14 Eastern Titles, and either six or seven PIAA State Championships pending Saturday’s result, Roth’s teams have more than proven to be at the pinnacle of success. “I think the thing that makes me and the rest of the coaching staff the happiest about the program is the high level of consistency over the years. In the years that we didn’t quite reach the state final, we still have had a lot of teams that won league and district titles and were successful,” he said. Regardless if you root for or against the Tigers, one thing is for certain. The boys in pads are just high school student athletes playing a game that they love. It’s not always about who wins and who loses. Most people don’t recognize who scores the most touchdowns nor has the most tackles. Years down the road, the average follower couldn’t tell you who tops the record books or received all-state nods in the past. The one thing that hopefully everyone can tell you is that the Southern Columbia football family is like none other and the Tigers historic past speaks for itself. “There’s always been a tremendous amount of support from all angles since the program has turned the tables and started to win. That support helps to motivate the players especially with a team like we have this year because these players have never gotten to this point before. Having our stands filled each week is certainly an advantage, and it’s going to make a difference,” said the man who is in charge and had guided the Tigers to 380 wins during his hall-of-fame career.

Before any other critics come out of hiding thinking the program is going to eventually start to fall, be aware of what you wish for. This year’s varsity program sits at 15-0, the junior varsity squad didn’t lose a game, and both the freshman and junior high teams went undefeated this season. “The tradition is a huge factor. When you have a strong following like we have starting with the younger kids and their parents, it goes a long way. The kids coming through the system start to see the support that we get from all parts of the community and want to be a part of the strong tradition that was built by the players that came before them,” Roth said. With all of this being said, it is probably easier now to understand why people are jealous of the Tiger way.