CATAWISSA: Southern Columbia has captured their 21st District IV Class A Championship by overwhelming South Williamsport by a score of 47 – 12. Like many area contests this weekend, this was a rematch of a regular season game in which the Tigers prevailed 42 – 21 on week four. It was the Mounties only loss thus far. It was the second such rematch for the Mounties, after defeating Bloomsburg again last week 32 – 16. That win, coupled with Southern’s lack-luster performances recently, made the outcome of the title game in no way a given.
In fact, South jumped out to the early lead at the 7:20 mark of the first period. After each team punted on their first offensive series, the Mounties were set up with a 1st-and-10 at the Tiger 43. Dominick Bragalone got the pitch, broke into the secondary and hurdled a defender on his way to the endzone. The two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete and the Mounties were up 6 – 0.
The Tigers buckled down and found their rhythm from there. They responded less than two minutes later with a 30 yard touchdown run by Taylor Young, made possible by a crushing block by Ryan Cherwinski . An uncharacteristic high snap on the PAT caused the kick to be blocked, leaving the score knotted at 6 – 6.
Next the Southern Columbia defense came up big. On 3rd-and-11 Trent Donlan and Mitch Stanziale combined on a huge sack on Tyler House for a loss of 12 to end the first quarter. On the ensuing punt, Jake Becker brought heavy pressure and blocked the kick. When another South player tried to pick up the ball and pass it they were flagged, resulting in a first down for the Tigers at the Mountie 32. After a 15 yard reception from Young to Bryce Parry to the 13, Adam Feudale rumbled in for the score. Blake Marks added the two point conversion when he caught a quick pass from Young.
On their next possession, the Tigers scored on a 51 yard catch and run from Young to Matt Lupold to go ahead 21 – 6 with 7:40 to go in the half. Meanwhile, the defense was bottling up the power-running of the Mounties, forcing another three-and-out. Feudale pounded ahead for 12 yards, then Young broke loose for 29 to the Mountie 2 yard-line. Young ran a keeper in for the score and 28 – 6 lead.
The Tigers scored once more before the half after Marks caught a 20 yard pass at South’s 25. Feudale bowled in from there at 1:55 and the teams entered the locker rooms at 35 – 6.
Southern received the second half kick-off and march right down the field, putting the game into the “mercy rule” at 41 – 6 on a four yard Marks touchdown run. The Tiger reserves scored in the final period when sophomore, Matt Jeremiah weaved his way in from the 19. Then the Mounties managed to tack on a score on their final possession on the legs of Brandon Stonge.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT(10-2) has had their first winning season in many years under it’s new coaching staff lead by Chris Eiswerth. Their only two losses each came at the hands of the Tigers. Congratulations to the Mounties on a fine 2012 season and reaching the District IV final.
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA(12-0) advances to the opening round of state play offs. They will travel to a D-II site to take on the DUNMORE BUCKS(11-1) who took revenge on OLD FORGE(11-1) by the score of 7 – 6 after falling to them 21 – 0 on week four. The road will continue to get rougher for Jim Roth’s Tiger from here on.
